What SSC CPO is
The Central Police Organisation exam recruits graduates into Sub Inspector posts in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB), and Assistant Sub Inspector posts in the Central Industrial Security Force. It sits above SSC GD Constable in rank and above class 10 or 12 in academic requirement, making it the graduate entry route into uniformed central police service.
The role combines investigative and supervisory police work with the same physical fitness expectations as any uniformed post, which is why the selection process includes both a physical efficiency stage and two separate written papers.
Who can apply
A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is required. The general age band is 20 to 25 years, again narrower than most SSC exams and varying slightly by post, with relaxations for reserved categories and ex-servicemen. Height, chest and endurance standards apply and are confirmed in the notification.
How the exam runs
Paper 1 is a two hour computer based test of two hundred questions across General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension, with a quarter mark penalty for each wrong answer.
Candidates who clear Paper 1 proceed to the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test, then to Paper 2, a further two hour test focused specifically on English Language and Comprehension. A medical examination follows for those who clear both papers and the physical stage. There is no interview for this exam.
Preparing the application
Photograph and signature specifications match the rest of the SSC family: a JPEG photograph between 20 and 50 kilobytes and a JPEG signature between 10 and 20 kilobytes, resizable in your browser using the tools on this site if your file is outside that range.
The application fee for general and OBC male candidates is one hundred rupees, waived for women, SC, ST and ex-servicemen.
On exam day
Arrive at least an hour before the reporting time on your admit card for each written paper, with the printed e-admit card, a government photo identification, two matching passport photographs and a black or blue ballpoint pen. No electronic devices are permitted inside the hall.
For the physical stage, bring sportswear suitable for a timed run and any category certificate needed to claim a relaxed standard.
The official SSC notification and website, linked above, carry the current physical standards, paper-wise weightage and schedule for the cycle you are applying to.