SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 PDF - Paper 1, Paper 2 & Physical Standards
Plan your preparation strategy with the latest official SSC CPO Syllabus. Study subject-wise topic weightage, negative marking clauses, and detailed PET/PST criteria to score high.
Syllabus Highlights
SSC CPO Syllabus & Exam Selection Process
The Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organisation (SSC CPO) recruitment is a multi-tier national-level competitive exam. Candidates preparing for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and CAPF forces must qualify in 4 distinct phases:
- Paper 1 (Computer Based Test): 200 Questions, objective MCQs testing basic intelligence, GA, maths, and English.
- Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Endurance Test (PET): Qualifying physical events (height measurements, running, long and high jumps).
- Paper 2 (Computer Based Test): 200 objective English language questions.
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME): Physical health audit by commission physicians.
1. SSC CPO Paper 1 Syllabus Topic-Wise Weightage
Paper 1 contains 4 sections of 50 marks each. Understanding topic weightage helps you allocate your daily preparation time to high-yield sections:
Subject A: Quantitative Aptitude (50 Questions)
| Syllabus Topic | Est. Questions | Complete Chapter-Wise Syllabus Details |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic Word Problems | 18 - 20 Questions | Number Systems, Computation of Whole Numbers, Decimals & Fractions, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Square Roots, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture & Alligations, Time & Distance, Time & Work. |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | 5 - 7 Questions | Use of Tables & Graphs, Histograms, Frequency Polygons, Bar-Diagrams, Pie-Charts (solving calculations under speed constraints). |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 8 - 10 Questions | Triangles & its various centres, Congruence & similarity of triangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles. Surface areas of Right Prisms, Cone, Cylinder, Spheres, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepipeds, and Regular Right Pyramids. |
| Trigonometry & Algebra | 6 - 8 Questions | Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations. Trigonometric ratios, Degree & Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Heights & Distances. |
Subject B: General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Questions)
| Syllabus Topic | Est. Questions | Complete Chapter-Wise Syllabus Details |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 15 - 18 Questions | Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Semantic & Number Series, Classification of words/numbers, Coding-Decoding (Small & Capital letters/numbers), Word Building, Numerical Operations, Symbolic Operations. |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | 10 - 12 Questions | Figural Analogy, Figural Classification, Figural Series, Punched hole/pattern-folding & unfolding, Figural Pattern-folding and completion, Mirror Images, Water Images, Embedded Figures. |
| Analytical & Critical Logic | 18 - 20 Questions | Venn Diagrams, Syllogisms, Drawing Inferences, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Seating Arrangements, Critical thinking, Emotional & Social Intelligence, space visualization. |
Subject C: English Comprehension (50 Questions)
| Syllabus Topic | Est. Questions | Complete Chapter-Wise Syllabus Details |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar & Structure | 15 - 20 Questions | Parts of Speech (Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions), Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Voice (Active/Passive), Narration (Direct/Indirect), Article rules, Conditionals. |
| Vocabulary & Idioms | 15 - 20 Questions | Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, Spelling test (detecting misspelled words), Idioms & Phrases, One-word substitutions. |
| Reading Comprehension | 15 - 20 Questions | Reading Comprehension passages (main ideas, vocabulary matching), Cloze Tests, Sentence Completion (fill in the blanks), Sentence rearrangement (Para jumbles). |
Subject D: General Awareness (50 Questions)
| Syllabus Topic | Est. Questions | Complete Chapter-Wise Syllabus Details |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 22 - 25 Questions | History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern & World History. Geography: Physical & Indian Geography, Environment, Ecology, and Biodiversity. Polity: Indian Constitution, articles, amendments, parliament, fundamental duties. Economy: Inflation, Budgeting, banking sectors. |
| General Science | 8 - 10 Questions | Class 9th and 10th CBSE levels of Physics (laws, heat, electricity), Chemistry (atomic structures, reactions, acids/bases), and Biology (human physiology, nutrition, diseases). |
| Static GK & Current Affairs | 18 - 20 Questions | Static: Folk/classical dances of India, classical music gharanas, sports trophies & terms, awards, first in India, international head offices. Current Events: Past 6-8 months updates, national/international awards, government policies & schemes. |
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2. SSC CPO Physical Standards & Fitness Criteria (PST & PET)
Physical fitness standards are mandatory benchmarks. Candidates who clear Paper 1 are summoned by the commission for physical evaluation. Focus on these height, chest, and athletic parameters:
Physical Standard Test (PST) Guidelines
| Category of Candidate | Min Height | Chest (Unexpanded) | Chest (Expanded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Candidates (General/UR) | 170 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Male Hill Area Candidates (Garhwal, Kumaon) | 165 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Male Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 162.5 cm | 77 cm | 82 cm |
| Female Candidates (General/UR) | 157 cm | N/A | N/A |
Physical Endurance Test (PET) Athletic Targets
| Physical Task | Male Target | Female Target |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Run | 100 Meters in 16 Seconds | 100 Meters in 18 Seconds |
| Long Distance Run | 1.6 Km in 6.5 Minutes | 800 Meters in 4 Minutes |
| Long Jump (3 Chances) | 3.65 Meters | 2.7 Meters |
| High Jump (3 Chances) | 1.2 Meters | 0.9 Meters |
3. SSC CPO Paper 2 (Mains) English Syllabus details
CPO Paper 2 tests your command of the English language and is a critical driver for rank security. It consists of 200 questions (200 marks) to be completed in 2 hours:
📝 Grammar & Structure Topics
- Active / Passive Voice: Conversion rules (20-25 Questions)
- Direct / Indirect Speech: Reporting verb rules (25-30 Questions)
- Error Spotting & Sentence Correction: Prepositions, articles, tense coherence (30 Questions)
📖 Vocabulary & Comprehension Topics
- Reading Comprehension: 3-4 passages (25-30 Questions)
- Cloze Test: Contextual gap filling (20 Questions)
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, One-word substitutions (40 Questions)
4. Strategic Tips to Balance Mock Tests and Physical Workout
Most candidates fail CPO because they either focus exclusively on written tests and fail the 1.6km run, or spend all their time at the running track and fail to clear Paper 1's cut-off. Here is how to achieve balance:
- Morning Workouts: Spend 45 minutes every morning doing running drills and high/long jumps. This builds baseline cardiovascular endurance and prevents shin splints.
- Mid-Day Mocks: Attempt full-length mock series during the afternoon to train your brain to stay focused under stress. Try our Free SSC CPO Mock Tests to analyze your accuracy.
- Analyze Past Papers: Solve past papers to understand recurring concepts. Download shift-wise files directly from the SSC CPO Previous Year Question Papers PDF Hub.
5. Why PerfectRank is Best for CPO Syllabus Tracking?
PerfectRank simplifies your competitive exam journey. Unlike other ad-bloated platforms, we offer a completely clean layout:
- Bilingual Syllabus Details: Section breakdowns available in both English and Hindi.
- Fast Mobile Page Loads: Clear UI components without intrusive ads to ensure uninterrupted study.
- EEAT Verified Data: Syllabus and physical criteria compiled directly from the official notification releases on the Official SSC Website.
Amit Kumar
Ex-Excise Inspector (CGL '21 Batch)
Amit cleared SSC exams on his second attempt. He designed this guide to help CPO aspirants optimize their study tracks and bypass signup loops.
Article Contents
📥 CPO Shift Solved Papers
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SSC CPO Syllabus & Exam Pattern — FAQs
What is the exam pattern for SSC CPO Paper 1?+
Paper 1 consists of 200 objective multiple-choice questions divided equally into 4 sections: Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence & Reasoning, English Comprehension, and General Awareness (50 questions each). The total duration is 2 hours.
Is there physical standards qualification mandatory in SSC CPO?+
Yes. All candidates must clear the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET) after qualifying Paper 1. Candidates who fail the physical tests will not be permitted to write Paper 2.
What topics are asked in CPO Paper 2 (Mains)?+
Paper 2 is strictly dedicated to the English Language & Comprehension subject. It consists of 200 questions carrying 200 marks, covering grammar, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and sentence improvement.
Are physical endurance test (PET) marks added to the final merit list?+
No. The PET and PST physical examinations are purely qualifying in nature. The final selection merit rank is calculated based on the aggregate marks scored in Paper 1 and Paper 2 out of 400 marks.
What is the height requirement for General Category Male candidates?+
Male candidates belonging to the General/UR category must have a minimum height of 170 cm with an unexpanded chest of 80 cm and expanded chest of 85 cm.