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SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026: Paper 1 & Paper 2 Pattern, Marking Scheme, Negative Marking, PET/PST & Selection Process
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 has introduced major changes in the written examination structure. Paper-I now includes 100 questions for 100 marks, while Paper-II consists of 160 questions carrying 320 marks. The selection process includes Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II and Detailed Medical Examination. Candidates should understand section-wise questions, marks, duration, negative marking and physical standards before starting preparation. Check the complete SSC CPO 2026 exam pattern, revised Paper-II structure, marking scheme and selection stages here.
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SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 has been confirmed in the official notification released on 10-09-2026 for recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police and CAPFs. Check the complete Paper-I and Paper-II structure, marking scheme, negative marking, PST/PET standards, medical examination criteria, and what has changed compared to the previous cycle(2025).
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 follows a four-stage selection process: Paper-I, Physical Standard Test/ Physical Endurance Test (PST/PET), Paper-II, and Detailed Medical Examination (DME). This cycle brings a notable restructuring in both papers compared to the previous year, so candidates who prepared using older pattern references should read this update carefully before planning their strategy.
Understanding the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 in detail, questions, marks, timing, and negative marking, helps candidates build a subject-wise plan instead of preparing blindly on outdated numbers from earlier cycles.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026: Overview
A quick snapshot of the exam structure before the detailed section-wise breakdown.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | SSC CPO (Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs) |
| Notification Date | 10-09-2026 |
| Total Stages | Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II, Detailed Medical Examination |
| Paper-I Mode | Online, Bilingual (Hindi and English) |
| Paper-II Mode | Online, Bilingual for Parts I-III, English only for Part IV |
| Paper-I Negative Marking | 0.25 mark per wrong answer |
| Paper-II Negative Marking | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CPO 2026 Exam Schedule
Here are the confirmed dates for this cycle, with the Paper-I date itself still awaited.
| Event | Date/Status |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10-09-2026 |
| Online Application Window | 10-09-2026 to 30-09-2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 01-10-2026 |
| Correction Window | 08-10-2026 to 10-10-2026 |
| Paper-I (CBE) | To be notified later |
| PST/PET | After Paper-I result |
| Paper-II | After PST/PET qualification |
SSC CPO Paper-I Exam Pattern 2026
Paper-I is the first stage under the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026, and clearing it is mandatory before a candidate can appear for the physical test.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| II | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Duration and Timing: 1 hour, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each part, so time cannot be shifted from one section to another.
Paper-I Marking Scheme:
- Each correct answer carries 1 mark
- Each wrong answer deducts 0.25 mark
- No marks are deducted for unattempted questions
SSC CPO Paper-II Exam Pattern 2026
Paper-II under the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 is noticeably tougher than Paper-I and now covers more than just English, unlike in past cycles.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| II | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 160 | 320 |
Duration and Timing: Parts I, II, and III run within a combined 1 hour with sectional timers of 20 minutes each, while Part IV (English Comprehension) has a separate 1-hour duration of its own.
Paper-II Marking Scheme:
- Each correct answer carries the marks listed above per part
- Each wrong answer deducts 0.50 mark, double the Paper-I rate
- Paper-I and Paper-II marks are combined for the final merit list
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026: What's Changed From the Previous Cycle
This is the most important update for candidates who prepared using last year's pattern. The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 is structurally different from the 2025-26 cycle in three key ways.
| Change | Previous Cycle (2025-26) | Current Cycle (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I Structure | 200 questions, 200 marks (50 marks per section) | 100 questions, 100 marks (25 marks per section) |
| Paper-II Structure | 200 questions, 200 marks, English only | 160 questions, 320 marks, across 4 parts including GI, GK, Quant, and English |
| Paper-II Negative Marking | 0.25 mark per wrong answer | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| Paper-II Subject Coverage | Purely English Language and Comprehension | English plus General Intelligence, General Knowledge, and Quantitative Aptitude |
In short, Paper-I now carries half the marks it used to, while Paper-II has both expanded in scope and become riskier due to higher negative marking. Candidates cannot rely solely on English preparation for Paper-II anymore, since three additional subjects have been added back into the mix.
SSC CPO Selection Process 2026
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 is only one part of a four-stage selection process leading to the final merit list.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Paper-I | Computer-based test covering Reasoning, GK, Quantitative Aptitude, and English, as detailed above |
| Stage 2: PST/PET | Candidates who qualify Paper-I appear for the Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test |
| Stage 3: Paper-II | Physically qualified candidates appear for the restructured Paper-II covering all four subject areas |
| Stage 4: Detailed Medical Examination | Candidates who clear Paper-II undergo a medical exam to confirm fitness for active duty |
SSC CPO PST/PET 2026
Physical fitness rounds sit between the two written papers under the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026, and standards remain unchanged from previous cycles.
PET Standards for Male Candidates:
| Event | Standard |
|---|---|
| 100 m Race | 16 seconds |
| 1.6 km Race | 6.5 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.65 m (3 chances) |
| High Jump | 1.2 m (3 chances) |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 4.5 m (3 chances) |
PET Standards for Female Candidates:
| Event | Standard |
|---|---|
| 100 m Race | 18 seconds |
| 800 m Race | 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 2.7 m (3 chances) |
| High Jump | 0.9 m (3 chances) |
PST/PET is qualifying in nature and carries no marks. Ex-servicemen are exempted from PET but must still clear PST and the medical exam.
SSC CPO Medical Examination 2026
The final physical stage under the SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 confirms overall fitness for field duty.
- Vision: Near vision N6 (better eye) and N9 (worse eye); distant vision 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye), without correction.
- Disqualifying conditions: Knock knee, flat foot, varicose vein, or squint in eyes; candidates must possess high colour vision.
- Tattoo policy: Allowed only on traditional sites such as the inner forearm, and only for religious symbols, figures, or names as permitted in the notification.
- Conducted by an authorized medical board, with a review medical examination available for candidates who disagree with the initial result.
SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026: Preparation Focus by Stage
With Paper-II now testing more than just English, preparation planning needs a slight shift compared to previous cycles.
| Stage | Preparation Focus |
|---|---|
| Paper-I (all subjects) | Practice sectional mocks with the strict 15-minute timer, since time cannot shift between sections |
| Paper-II GI/GK/Quant | Don't skip these anymore, since 120 marks now depend on them alongside English |
| Paper-II English | Still the highest-weightage single section at 200 marks, so comprehension speed remains critical |
| PST/PET | Start physical training early, since standards remain unchanged and are non-negotiable |
Conclusion
The SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 brings a real shift from the previous cycle, Paper-I now carries fewer marks, while Paper-II has expanded well beyond English and carries a steeper negative marking penalty. Candidates preparing for this cycle should recalibrate their study plan around the new 100-mark Paper-I and 320-mark Paper-II structure, rather than relying on last year's numbers, while keeping physical training on track for the unchanged PST/PET standards.
Important Links
| Important Links | |
|---|---|
| SSC CPO Notification | SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria |
| SSC CPO Exam Date | SSC CPO Admit Card |
| SSC CPO Preparation Tips | SSC CPO Syllabus |
| SSC CPO Cut Off | SSC CPO Self Slot Selection |
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