Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination

Recruitment of Sub-Inspectors for the Delhi Police and the central armed police forces. Unusually among SSC exams, the physical test sits between the two written papers rather than after them, and all stages are mandatory.

200 questions · 120 minutes · 200 marks · 0.25 negative marking

SSC CPO Exam Pattern

Eligibility

A bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Male candidates for the Delhi Police must additionally hold a valid light motor vehicle driving licence for motorcycle and car by the date fixed for the physical and medical test. Male candidates without one remain eligible for Sub-Inspector in the central armed police forces.

20 to 25 years, reckoned as on the date stated in the notification.

Selection Process

1. Paper-I — 200 questions for 200 marks in two hours across four sections, with 0.25 deducted per wrong answer.
2. Physical standard and efficiency tests — Qualifying only, and unusually placed between the two papers rather than after them.
3. Paper-II — A 200-question English Language and Comprehension paper for 200 marks in two hours, with 0.25 deducted per wrong answer.
4. Detailed and review medical examination — Qualifying only.
5. Document verification — NCC bonus marks awarded provisionally must be substantiated here.

SSC CPO Syllabus

General Intelligence and Reasoning

• Analogies
• Similarities and differences
• Space visualization
• Spatial orientation
• Problem solving
• Analysis
• Judgment
• Decision making
• Visual memory
• Discrimination
• Observation
• Relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning
• Verbal and figure classification
• Arithmetical number series
• Non-verbal series
• Coding and decoding
• Statement conclusion
• Syllogistic reasoning

General Knowledge and General Awareness

• History
• Culture
• Geography
• Economic scene
• General polity
• Indian constitution
• Scientific research
• Current events
• India and its neighbouring countries

Quantitative Aptitude

• Computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions
• Percentage
• Ratio and proportion
• Square roots
• Averages
• Interest
• Profit and loss
• Discount
• Partnership business
• Mixture and alligation
• Time and distance
• Time and work
• Basic algebraic identities and elementary surds
• Graphs of linear equations
• Triangle and its centres
• Congruence and similarity of triangles
• Circle, chords and tangents
• Mensuration of plane figures and solids
• Trigonometric ratio
• Heights and distances
• Histogram, frequency polygon and pie chart

English Comprehension

• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Sentence structure
• Synonyms and antonyms and their correct usage
• Error detection
• Fill in the blanks
• Idioms and phrases
• One word substitution
• Improvement of sentences
• Active and passive voice
• Direct and indirect narration
• Shuffling of sentence parts
• Cloze passage
• Comprehension passage

SSC CPO Previous Year Cut-Off Marks

Qualifying Marks

Paper-I minimum, stated before NCC bonus marks are added: 30 per cent or 60 marks for unreserved, 25 per cent or 50 marks for OBC and EWS, and 20 per cent or 40 marks for other categories.

Exam Calendar

From recent cycles: notice around March, Paper-I around June, its result around September, physical tests between September and December, and Paper-II the following year. The 2024 cycle's final result came in October 2025.

SSC CPO FAQs

In what order are the stages held?

Paper-I, then the physical standard and efficiency tests, then Paper-II, then the medical examination. The physical test sitting between the two papers is unusual among SSC exams, and all stages are mandatory.

How much is deducted for a wrong answer?

0.25 marks in both papers.

How is merit calculated?

From the aggregate of Paper-I and Paper-II. The physical tests are qualifying and add no marks.

Do I need a driving licence?

Only male candidates applying for the Delhi Police, who must hold a valid light motor vehicle licence for motorcycle and car by the date fixed for the physical and medical test. Without one you remain eligible for the central armed police force posts.

Are cut-offs the same for men and women?

No, and the difference is large. SSC publishes separate lists, with the female unreserved cut-off running roughly 15 marks above the male one, so comparing against the wrong list is misleading.

Is there an interview?

No.

What is normalisation?

Where an examination runs across several shifts, raw marks are converted to a common scale so that sitting a harder shift is not a disadvantage. The normalised marks are what determine merit and cut-offs, which is why published cut-offs carry five decimal places. The governing methodology was superseded in June 2025 by a new one, so older material may cite the 2019 notice.

Do NCC certificates help?

Yes, bonus marks are awarded provisionally and must be substantiated at document verification.

How many attempts am I allowed?

There is no limit on attempts; only the age limit applies.