Are you aiming to join the ranks of Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police or Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) through the SSC CPO 2026 exam? Understanding the SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 is your first step toward success. This comprehensive guide breaks down the age limits, educational qualifications, nationality requirements, physical standards, and more, ensuring you’re fully prepared to apply for this prestigious government job. Read on to confirm your eligibility and get expert tips to ace the SSC CPO 2026 recruitment process!
Overview of SSC CPO 2026 Exam
The Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organisation (SSC CPO) exam is a national-level recruitment drive conducted annually to select candidates for roles like Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The SSC CPO 2026 exam is expected to follow a similar structure to previous years, with Paper 1, Physical Standard Test (PST)/Physical Endurance Test (PET), Paper 2, and Detailed Medical Examination (DME) as key stages. Ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria is critical to avoid disqualification during the selection process.
SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Key Requirements
The SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 cover nationality, age limits, educational qualifications, physical standards, and additional requirements. Below is a detailed breakdown based on the latest available information and trends from the 2024 and 2025 notifications.
1. SSC CPO Nationality/Citizenship
To be eligible for SSC CPO 2026, candidates must meet one of the following nationality criteria:
- Indian Citizen: Candidates must provide valid proof of nationality, such as an Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, or Domicile Certificate.
- Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan: Eligible with a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
- Tibetan Refugees: Those who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, with the intent to settle permanently.
- Persons of Indian Origin: Migrants from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam intending to settle permanently in India, provided they have a certificate of eligibility.
Tip: Ensure your nationality documents are ready for verification to avoid delays during the SSC CPO 2026 application process.
2. SSC CPO Age Limit
The SSC CPO 2026 age limit is expected to be 20 to 25 years as of the cutoff date (likely August 1, 2026). Candidates must have been born between August 2, 2001, and August 1, 2006 (for general category candidates). Age relaxations are available for reserved categories, as detailed below:
| Category | Age Relaxation (Beyond Upper Age Limit) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 years (after deducting military service) |
| Widows, Divorced Women, Judicially Separated Women (Unreserved) | Up to 35 years |
| Widows, Divorced Women, Judicially Separated Women (SC/ST) | Up to 40 years |
| Departmental Candidates (Unreserved, with 3 years of service) | Up to 30 years |
| Departmental Candidates (OBC, with 3 years of service) | Up to 33 years |
| Departmental Candidates (SC/ST, with 3 years of service) | Up to 35 years |
| Candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (1980–1989) | 5 years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees (General/OBC, Group B posts, 3+ years of service) | Up to 40 years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees (SC/ST, Group B posts, 3+ years of service) | Up to 45 years |
Tip: Use your Class 10th certificate or birth certificate to verify your SSC CPO age eligibility. Reserved category candidates must have valid caste certificates to claim age relaxations.
3. SSC CPO Educational Qualifications
To apply for SSC CPO 2026, candidates must meet the following educational requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree: A degree from a recognized university or equivalent by the application closing date (expected August 2026).
- Final-Year Students: Candidates in their final year of graduation can apply, provided they complete their degree by the cutoff date and provide proof during verification.
- Delhi Police SI (Male): Male candidates applying for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police must possess a valid Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) Driving License (for motorcycles and cars) on the date of the Physical Endurance and Standard Tests.
Note: Degrees in Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, or Architecture via Open and Distance Learning are not permitted, except for B.Tech from IGNOU before 2009-10. Candidates with equivalent qualifications must submit a Certificate of Equivalence.
Tip: Ensure your degree is from a UGC-recognized university. Male candidates targeting Delhi Police SI posts should secure their
LMV driving license early to meet SSC CPO eligibility.4. SSC CPO Physical Standards
The SSC CPO 2026 Physical Standard Test (PST) evaluates height, chest (for males), and weight requirements, with relaxations for certain categories. Below are the standards:
Physical Standards for Male Candidates
| Category | Height (cm) | Chest (Unexpanded, cm) | Chest (Expanded, cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 170 | 80 | 85 |
| Hill Areas* | 165 | 80 | 85 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 162.5 | 77 | 82 |
*Hill Areas include Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh, North-Eastern States, and Sikkim.
Physical Standards for Female Candidates
| Category | Height (cm) |
|---|---|
| General | 157 |
| Hill Areas* | 155 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 154 |
Weight: Must be proportional to height for both male and female candidates, as per the height-weight charts provided by SSC.
5. Physical Endurance Test (PET)
The SSC CPO 2026 Physical Endurance Test (PET) assesses candidates’ physical fitness through tasks like running, long jump, high jump, and shot put (for males). Only candidates who clear Paper 1 qualify for the PET.