SSC CPO Paper 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026

The mandatory educational requirement for all candidates applying for the position of Sub-Inspector is a Bachelor's degree (Graduate) from a recognized university or institution. There is no specific requirement for a particular stream or percentage of marks unless otherwise specified in the official recruitment notice. As it is a graduate-level examination, candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are generally advised to check the cutoff date for acquiring their degree as per the official advertisement. Having a valid graduation degree is the fundamental prerequisite to appear for the written phases of the recruitment process.

Candidates intending to participate in the recruitment process must fall within the age bracket of 20 to 25 years. It is critical to adhere to this requirement, as candidates outside this range will not be eligible for selection. The crucial date for the calculation of age eligibility is determined by the commission and will be clearly specified in the formal notification once released. It is common for the government to provide age relaxation for specific categories as per established reservation policies. Therefore, candidates should refer to the official document released by the authority to verify their age eligibility based on their specific background.

The selection process for the SSC CPO is a multi-layered journey designed to test candidates on intelligence, physical efficiency, and medical fitness. The process is comprised of the following stages:

• Paper I: A computer-based objective test evaluating general intelligence, awareness, quantitative aptitude, and English comprehension.
• Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Endurance Test (PET): A qualifying stage where candidates are tested on height, weight, chest measurements, and physical activities such as racing, long jumps, and high jumps.
• Paper II: A computer-based objective test specifically focused on the English language and comprehension.
• Detailed Medical Examination (DME): The final stage conducted to ensure that the candidate is medically fit to perform the duties of a police officer.

Each stage is a prerequisite for the next; candidates must qualify through every phase to proceed to the final appointment stage.

Age relaxation is provided to various reserved categories as per the government of India's guidelines. While the standard age limit is 20 to 25 years, the following categories receive relaxations:

• Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates
• Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates
• Ex-Servicemen (ESM)
• Departmental candidates of Delhi Police
• Other eligible groups as specified in the official notification

Candidates must ensure they possess the necessary valid documentation/certificates to claim the benefit of age relaxation during the document verification stage of the selection process.