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Govt Exam8 min read10 September 2026

SSC CPO 2026 notification released: 1,871 vacancies announced

The SSC CPO 2026 notification is out. Explore vacancy details, eligibility criteria, and application dates for the Sub Inspector recruitment drive.

What's Official

The Staff Selection Commission has officially released the recruitment notification for the 2026 cycle of the Central Police Organisation (CPO) exam. This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 1,871 tentative vacancies for the positions of Sub Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and SI (Fire) in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The application window for this cycle opened on September 10, 2026. Aspirants must ensure their online applications are submitted by September 30, 2026, at 11:00 PM. The final date for fee payment is set for October 1, 2026, and a correction window will be available from October 8 to October 10, 2026. The specific date for the Computer Based Examination (CBT) will be announced by the Commission in due course.

Tip

Do not wait until the final date to apply to avoid potential server congestion on the official website.

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Eligibility at a Glance

Eligibility varies by post, requiring candidates to be meticulous before applying. For the majority of SI posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs, candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Candidates currently in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply, provided they complete their degree requirements by the closing date.

A distinct educational requirement applies to the SI (Fire) post in CISF: applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, or hold a three-year diploma in relevant engineering disciplines following matriculation.

Age limits are also segmented: for most posts, the age bracket is 20 to 25 years as of August 1, 2026. However, for the SI (Fire) position in CISF, the range is 18 to 30 years as of the same date. Age relaxations are applicable to reserved category candidates as per prevailing government regulations.

Tip

Male candidates applying for the Delhi Police SI Executive post must possess a valid LMV driving licence by the date of the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test.

Section-wise Priority Breakdown

The SSC CPO exam typically features four main subjects: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Strategic preparation requires focusing on high-weightage areas. General Intelligence and Reasoning often serves as the highest-scoring section for consistent candidates, while Quantitative Aptitude requires dedicated daily practice to improve calculation speed and accuracy.

General Knowledge and Awareness is vast; aspirants should prioritise current affairs from the last 12 months and core static GK topics like history, polity, and geography. English Comprehension demands a strong grasp of grammar rules and vocabulary, which can be polished by practicing daily on Aspirant Arcade to identify your weak spots in sentence structure and comprehension.

Your priority should be to balance conceptual clarity with time-management drills for the subjects where you traditionally lose the most marks during mock attempts.

Tip

Focus on past year question patterns to understand which specific topics within Quantitative Aptitude appear most frequently.

30-Day Preparation Roadmap

Following this structured roadmap is essential to stay disciplined in the month leading up to the assessment.

  • Week 1: Fundamentals and Core Concept Clearing. Dedicate this time to revisiting basic formulas, grammar rules, and foundational static GK.
  • Week 2: Topic-Specific Strengthening. Identify your weak areas from the first week and practice at least 50 questions per topic.
  • Week 3: Full-Length Mock Exams. Transition to solving complete papers under timed conditions to build stamina and speed.
  • Week 4: Analysis and Revision. Review all mock results, focus on 'error-logging' to ensure you do not repeat the same mistakes in the actual exam.

Cutoff and Trend Analysis

While cutoffs are dynamic and depend on the difficulty level of the question paper and the number of candidates appearing, historical data suggests that competition for Delhi Police SI posts is generally higher than for CAPF posts. These figures remain an estimated trend, and candidates should strive to score at least 15-20 marks above the previous year's cutoff to ensure a safe position in the merit list.

The Commission will set the final cutoff after the CBT is conducted. It is advised to monitor the official portal for any updates on qualifying criteria or modifications to the vacancy list.

Frequently Asked

Can a final-year graduate student apply for SSC CPO 2026?

Yes, candidates appearing for their final year degree examination are eligible to apply, provided they meet the educational qualification requirements by the closing date.

Is the driving licence mandatory for all SI posts in the SSC CPO 2026 notification?

No, a valid LMV driving licence is only mandatory for male candidates applying for the post of Sub Inspector (Executive) in the Delhi Police.

What happens if I make a mistake in my SSC CPO application form?

The Commission provides an application correction window from October 8 to October 10, 2026, allowing candidates to rectify specific details in their submitted forms.

How is the age relaxation calculated for reserved categories?

Age relaxation is provided to reserved categories as per the official government guidelines specified in the notification relative to the cutoff date of August 1, 2026.

Can I apply for both SI (Executive) and SI (Fire) if I meet the criteria?

Candidates must ensure they meet the specific educational and age requirements for each post as outlined in the notification before selecting their preferences.

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