Sub-inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination is organized by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) in order to select eligible candidates for the posts of Sub-Inspector (SI). SSC CPO SI exam consists of Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II and DME. Candidates applying for the current year SSC CPO SI Recruitment exam should be aware of the revised exam pattern, subject-wise syllabus, marking system and sectional timing before starting their preparation.

Exam Pattern for 2026 Sarkari Naukri includes two computer-based exams, which test knowledge of various subjects, whereas Paper-II has more significance for English Language and Comprehension. Candidates are advised to prepare themselves as per the latest notification instead of following the patterns of previous years. The official SSC website is the best option to get information about examination rules.

SSC CPO SI Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

• Conducting Body: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)

• Exam Name: SSC CPO SI Exam 2026

• Exam Type: Computer Based Test (CBT)

• Paper-I: 100 questions, 100 marks

• Paper-II consider 160 questions, 320 marks

• Negative Marking consider 0.25 marks in Paper-I and 0.50 marks in Paper-II

• Selection Phases consider Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II and Detailed Medical Exam (DME)

This 2026 pattern has differences from the earlier exam pattern, especially in terms of question, marks and subjects in Paper-II.

SSC CPO Tier-I (Paper-I) Exam Pattern 2026

Paper-I comprises four sections, with 25 questions for each section having 1 mark. The total time allotted for examination is 60 minutes, split equally into four sectional times of 15 minutes each.

• General Intelligence and Reasoning: 25 questions, 25 marks, 15 minutes

• General Knowledge and General Awareness consider 25 questions, 25 marks, 15 minutes

• Quantitative Aptitude consider 25 questions, 25 marks, 15 minutes

• English Comprehension consider 25 questions, 25 marks, 15 minutes

• Total: 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes

Negative marking of 0.25 mark will be applied for each wrong response. It is advised to the candidates that they should give a mock test as sectional timer does not allow the extra time of one section to carry forward to the next.

SSC CPO Tier-I Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Topics

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning

Logical thinking and problem-solving skills will be tested in this section. Topics covered in detail are:

• Analogies, similarities and differences

• Coding-decoding and classification

• Number and figure series

• Blood relations and relationship concepts

• Direction sense and spatial visualisation

• Syllogism, logical reasoning and conclusions

• Visual memory, observation and non-verbal reasoning

2. General Knowledge and General Awareness

Candidates need to develop a good grasp of static general knowledge and current affairs. This section contains:

• History and Geography of India

• Constitutional and political science of India

• Economics and general science

• Culture and significant events of Indian history

• Current affairs and national affairs

• Scientific knowledge and general environment awareness

Regular revisions of current affairs, along with static GK, will be helpful in preparing for this section.

3. Quantitative Aptitude

In this section, the numerical aptitude and accuracy in mathematics is tested. These topics are covered under:

• Number system, decimals, and fractions

• Percentage, ratio and proportion

• Profit, loss, and discounts

• Simple and compound interests

• Averages, partnership, and mixture

• Time and work, speed and distance

• Algebra, geometry, and mensuration

• Trigonometry and data interpretation

4. English Comprehension

• Reading comprehension

• Error detection and sentence correction

• Synonyms and antonyms

• Fill in the blanks

• Idioms and phrases

• Active and passive voices

• Direct and indirect speech

• Sentence rearrangement and vocabulary

SSC CPO Tier-II (Paper-II) Exam Pattern 2026

Paper-II measures the same four general subjects but puts more emphasis on the English Language and Comprehension. It has 160 questions with a total of 320 marks and a time duration of two hours.

• General Intelligence and Reasoning consider 20 questions, 40 marks, 20 minutes

• General Knowledge and General Awareness consider 20 questions, 40 marks, 20 minutes

• Quantitative Aptitude consider 20 questions, 40 marks, 20 minutes

• English Language and Comprehension consider 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes

• Total consider 160 questions, 320 marks, 120 minutes

The marking scheme for each wrong answer is 0.50 marks. The level of difficulty of Paper-II is higher than Paper-I, therefore it will be better for the candidates to build up their subject knowledge and practice the questions in examination format.

SSC CPO Tier-II Syllabus 2026

Paper-II includes Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language and Comprehension. Candidates should revise the core topics from Paper-I for the first three sections while preparing more extensively for English.

English preparation should cover advanced grammar, vocabulary, comprehension passages, sentence correction, cloze tests, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, active and passive voice, and direct and indirect speech. Regular reading and practice exercises can improve comprehension speed and accuracy.

SSC CPO SI Selection Process 2026

The selection process involves the following steps:

1. Paper-I: Candidates participate in the first computer-based test.

2. PST/PET: Selected candidates undergo Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test.

3. Paper-II: Candidates sit for the second computer-based test.

4. Detailed Medical Fitness Test: Candidates are subjected to the detailed medical fitness test as per the set standards.

Candidates are required to be eligible for the selection process as well as be physically fit.

Preparation Tips for SSC CPO SI 2026

• Study the official syllabus and divide it into manageable daily targets.

• Practise Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude questions consistently.

• Revise current affairs and static GK regularly.

• Improve English grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension.

• Attempt full-length mock tests with the prescribed sectional timers.

• Analyse mistakes and revise weaker topics before taking additional tests.

Conclusion

In order to crack the SSC CPO SI Sarkari Naukri exam of 2026, one needs to prepare in equal proportion for computer-based exams as well as physical exams. Candidates must have knowledge about the new pattern of tier I and II, practice questions according to the subjects, and be extra careful about English for Paper II.