SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality and Physical Standards
The SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 specifies the age limit, educational qualification, nationality, physical standards, and other eligibility requirements prescribed by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for candidates applying to the Sub-Inspector (SI) posts in Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Candidates must carefully verify that they meet all the eligibility conditions before submitting the online application. Check the complete SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026, including age limit, educational qualification, nationality, age relaxation, physical standards, and other important requirements below.
SSC CPO Age Limit 2026
The SSC CPO age limit 2026 varies depending on the post. The age criteria are different for Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police/CAPFs and Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF.
| Post | Age Limit | Age as on | Date of Birth |
| SI in Delhi Police / SI (GD) in CAPFs | 20 to 25 years | 01 August 2026 | 02 August 2001 to 01 August 2006 |
| SI (Fire) in CISF | 18 to 30 years | 01 August 2026 | 02 August 1996 to 01 August 2008 |
For SI in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs, candidates must be between 20 and 25 years of age as on 01 August 2026. Candidates must have been born between 02 August 2001 and 01 August 2006, both dates inclusive.
For SI (Fire) in CISF, candidates must be between 18 and 30 years of age as on 01 August 2026. Candidates must have been born between 02 August 1996 and 01 August 2008, both dates inclusive.
The date of birth entered in the application form must match the date of birth recorded in the candidate's Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate.
SSC CPO Age Relaxation 2026
The SSC provides upper age relaxation to eligible candidates from reserved and specified categories as per Government of India rules. The category-wise age relaxation is given in the table below.
| Category |
Age Relaxation |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
5 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) |
3 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) |
3 Years after deduction of the military service rendered from the actual age |
| Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir |
5 Years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees (Group B) – General/OBC |
Up to 40 Years of Age |
| Central Government Civilian Employees (Group B) – SC/ST |
Up to 45 Years of Age |
| Widows, Divorced Women, and Women Judicially Separated (Unreserved) |
Up to 35 Years of Age |
| Widows, Divorced Women, and Women Judicially Separated (SC/ST) |
Up to 40 Years of Age |
| Departmental Candidates (Unreserved) |
Up to 30 Years of Age |
| Departmental Candidates (OBC) |
Up to 33 Years of Age |
| Departmental Candidates (SC/ST) |
Up to 35 Years of Age |
SSC CPO Educational Qualification 2026
The SSC CPO educational qualification 2026 varies depending on the post. Candidates applying for SI in Delhi Police/CAPFs and SI (Fire) in CISF must fulfil the educational qualifications prescribed for their respective posts.
SSC CPO Educational Qualification 2026
| Post |
Required Educational Qualification |
| SI in Delhi Police / SI (GD) in CAPFs |
Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent. |
| SI (Fire) in CISF |
Bachelor's degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from a recognised university or equivalent. |
| SI (Fire) in CISF – Diploma Route |
Matriculation or equivalent along with a three-year diploma in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical or Telecommunication Engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university, board or institution. |
Qualification for SI in Delhi Police and CAPFs
Candidates applying for SI in Delhi Policeg and SI (GD) in CAPFs must possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
Candidates who have appeared in their Bachelor's degree or equivalent examination may also apply. However, they must possess the required educational qualification on or before the closing date of applications.
Qualification for SI (Fire) in CISF
Candidates applying for SI (Fire) in CISF must fulfil any one of the prescribed educational qualification routes given below:
- Bachelor's degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from a recognised university or equivalent; or
- Matriculation or equivalent along with a three-year diploma in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automobile, Chemical, Mining, Aeronautical or Telecommunication Engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university, board or institution.
Higher qualifications such as B.Tech/M.Tech in relevant fields may be accepted as an additional qualification, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed basic diploma qualification.
SSC CPO Qualification for Open and Distance Learning Candidates
Degrees, diplomas and certificates obtained through Open and Distance Learning are accepted for Central Government employment only when they meet the recognition requirements prescribed by the relevant authorities, including approval by the Distance Education Bureau of the UGC for the applicable period.
SSC CPO Driving Licence Requirement 2026
Male candidates applying for the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police must possess a valid LMV driving licence for both motorcycle and car on the date fixed for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT). Male candidates who do not possess the required driving licence can still apply for and be considered for the SI post in CAPFs; however, they will not be eligible for the SI post in Delhi Police.
SSC CPO Nationality 2026
To be eligible for the SSC CPO 2026 Exam, candidates must satisfy the nationality conditions prescribed by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Eligible candidates must fulfill any one of the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of India.
- Be a subject of Nepal.
- Be a subject of Bhutan.
- Be a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
- Be a person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Note: Candidates belonging to categories other than Indian citizens must produce a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India at the time of document verification, wherever applicable.
SSC CPO Physical Standard Eligibility for Male Candidates
Male candidates must meet the prescribed height and chest standards for SSC CPO SI posts. Applicable relaxations are provided for specified categories and regions. The details are given below.
| Category |
Height (cm) |
Chest (Unexpanded) |
Chest (Expanded) |
| Male Candidates (General Standard) |
170 cm |
80 cm |
85 cm |
|
Candidates belonging to Hill Areas, Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh,
Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions of
Jammu & Kashmir, North-Eastern States, and Sikkim
|
165 cm |
80 cm |
85 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) Candidates |
162.5 cm |
77 cm |
82 cm |
SSC CPO Physical Standard Eligibility for Female Candidates
Female candidates must meet the prescribed height standards for SSC CPO SI posts. Relaxation is applicable to candidates from specified categories and regions. The details are given below.
| Category |
Minimum Height |
| Female Candidates (General Standard) |
157 cm |
|
Candidates belonging to Hill Areas, Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh,
Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions of
Jammu & Kashmir, North-Eastern States, and Sikkim
|
155 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) Candidates |
154 cm |
SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test (PET) 2026
Candidates applying for the SSC CPO 2026 Exam must qualify the Physical Endurance Test (PET) as part of the selection process. The PET assesses a candidate's physical fitness through events such as running, long jump, high jump, and shot put (for male candidates). The standards differ for male and female candidates, and the test is qualifying in nature. The detailed SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test requirements are provided in the table below.
| Physical Endurance Test (PET) |
Male Candidates |
Female Candidates |
| 100 Metre Race |
16 Seconds |
18 Seconds |
| Race |
1.6 km in 6.5 Minutes |
800 Metres in 4 Minutes |
| Long Jump |
3.65 Metres (3 Chances) |
2.70 Metres (3 Chances) |
| High Jump |
1.20 Metres (3 Chances) |
0.90 Metres (3 Chances) |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) |
4.5 Metres (3 Chances) |
Not Applicable |
SSC CPO Medical Eligibility 2026
Candidates who qualify Paper II of the SSC CPO 2026 Exam must undergo a Detailed Medical Examination (DME) conducted by a CAPF Medical Officer or any other authorized Grade-I Government Medical Officer. Candidates declared medically unfit in the DME may be allowed to appear for a Review Medical Examination (RME), as per the SSC guidelines. The decision of the Review Medical Board will be final and binding.
To be considered medically fit, candidates must be in good physical and mental health, possess normal colour vision, and should not have medical conditions such as knock knees, flat feet, varicose veins, or squint in the eyes. Candidates must also meet the prescribed vision standards, including unaided distant vision of 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye), along with near vision of N6 (better eye) and N9 (worse eye).
