SSC CPO SI 2026 (Delhi Police & CAPFs): Physical Endurance (PET/PST) Standards, Paper-I Scoring Strategy & Post-Wise Cut-Off Analysis

The Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organisation (SSC CPO) examination remains one of India's most sought-after uniformed officer recruitments. Successful candidates are commissioned directly as Sub-Inspectors (Group 'B' Non-Gazetted) in:

• •Delhi Police: Premier metropolitan executive policing, providing direct law enforcement jurisdiction in the National Capital.
• •Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

All posts carry Pay Level 6 (₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400) under the 7th Central Pay Commission, with gross initial emoluments exceeding ₹58,000 to ₹65,000 per month depending on HRA classification and paramilitary allowances.

The SSC CPO selection framework tests both academic intellect and physical conditioning across four sequential hurdles:

1. 1Paper-I Computer Based Examination (200 Marks / 2 Hours): Preliminary objective screening test across 4 core subjects.
2. 2Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Endurance Test (PET): Conducted at designated CAPF battalion centers. Strictly qualifying; marks do not add to merit.
3. 3Paper-II Computer Based Examination (200 Marks / 2 Hours): Single subject—English Language & Comprehension.
4. 4Detailed Medical Examination (DME) & Document Verification (DV): Comprehensive medical fitness audit by CAPF medical boards followed by zonal verification.

Final All India Merit is determined exclusively by the combined aggregate of Paper-I + Paper-II (Total 400 Marks) plus NCC bonus marks (NCC 'C' Certificate: +10 marks, 'B': +6 marks, 'A': +4 marks).

Before attempting physical fitness events, every candidate is measured on calibrated stadiometers and chest calipers:

| Candidate Category | Height (Male) | Chest (Unexpanded / Expanded) | Height (Female) |

|---|---|---|---|

| General / OBC / SC | 170 cm | 80 cm / 85 cm (Min 5 cm expansion) | 157 cm |

| Hill Areas (Garhwal, Kumaon, HP, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, NE, J&K, Ladakh) | 165 cm | 80 cm / 85 cm | 155 cm |

| All Scheduled Tribe (ST) Candidates | 162.5 cm | 77 cm / 82 cm | 154 cm |

*Note: Chest expansion standards do not apply to female candidates. Weight must be proportionate to height and age as per medical standards.*

Candidates who meet PST dimensions advance to the field for PET. Unlike written tests, there are no second chances for running events:

#### Male Candidates:

• •100-Meter Sprint: Must be completed within 16.0 seconds (Single attempt).
• •1.6-Kilometer (1 Mile) Run: Must be completed within 6.5 minutes (Single attempt).
• •Long Jump: 3.65 meters (Maximum 3 chances allowed).
• •High Jump: 1.20 meters (Maximum 3 chances allowed).
• •Shot Put (16 Lbs / 7.26 kg): Minimum distance of 4.5 meters (Maximum 3 chances allowed).

#### Female Candidates:

• •100-Meter Sprint: Must be completed within 18.0 seconds (Single attempt).
• •800-Meter Run: Must be completed within 4.0 minutes (Single attempt).
• •Long Jump: 2.70 meters (9 feet) in maximum 3 chances.
• •High Jump: 0.90 meters (3 feet) in maximum 3 chances.

> Delhi Police LMV Driving License Rule: Male candidates opting for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police must hold a valid Driving License for Light Motor Vehicles (Motorcycle and Car) on the date of PET/PST. Learner licenses are strictly rejected. Candidates without a valid LMV license will only be considered for CAPF SI posts.

Paper-I consists of 200 questions (200 marks) to be completed in 120 minutes with negative marking of 0.25 marks per incorrect response.

1. 1General Intelligence & Reasoning (50 Questions / 50 Marks):

• •Scoring Target: 45–48 marks.
• •High-Yield Topics: Syllogisms, Number/Alphabet series, Venn diagrams, Coding-decoding, Paper folding, Embedded figures, and Blood relations.
• •Time Allocation: 28–30 minutes.

1. 1General Knowledge & General Awareness (50 Questions / 50 Marks):

• •Scoring Target: 28–34 marks.
• •High-Yield Topics: Modern Indian History & Polity (Articles, Amendments, Fundamental Rights), Indian Geography (Rivers, Passes, National Parks), Science fundamentals (Physics laws, Chemistry equations, Biology systems), and Last 8 Months Current Affairs (Govt schemes, Sports honors, Defense summits).
• •Time Allocation: 15 minutes.

1. 1Quantitative Aptitude (50 Questions / 50 Marks):

• •Scoring Target: 40–44 marks.
• •High-Yield Topics: Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Speed-Time-Distance, along with Advanced Math (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration 2D/3D).
• •Time Allocation: 42–45 minutes.

1. 1English Comprehension (50 Questions / 50 Marks):

• •Scoring Target: 42–46 marks.
• •High-Yield Topics: Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech, Spotting Errors, Cloze Test, Reading Comprehension, Synonyms/Antonyms, and One-word Substitutions.
• •Time Allocation: 25–28 minutes.

Aspirants must submit their post preferences carefully during online application or document verification. Based on historical career progression, perks, and working conditions:

1. 1Preference 1: Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police:

• •Location: NCT of Delhi. No remote border postings. Excellent promotion avenue to Inspector and ACP.
• •Projected Safe Cut-off (Paper-I + Paper-II combined): 332–340 / 400 (UR Male), 318–325 / 400 (UR Female).

1. 1Preference 2: Sub-Inspector in CISF (Central Industrial Security Force):

• •Nature: Airport security (ASG), metro transit, industrial units, space installations. Family accommodations readily available.
• •Projected Safe Cut-off: 315–325 / 400 (UR).

1. 1Preference 3: Sub-Inspector in SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal):

• •Jurisdiction: Peaceful Nepal and Bhutan international borders. Relatively stable deployment.
• •Projected Safe Cut-off: 300–310 / 400 (UR).

1. 1Preference 4: Sub-Inspector in ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police):

• •Jurisdiction: High-altitude Himalayan Indo-China border. Requires exceptional high-altitude cold-weather stamina.
• •Projected Safe Cut-off: 295–305 / 400 (UR).

1. 1Preference 5: Sub-Inspector in BSF & CRPF:

• •Jurisdiction: Western/Eastern border security (BSF) and internal security / counter-insurgency operations (CRPF).
• •Projected Safe Cut-off: 288–298 / 400 (UR).

• •Morning (Fitness Conditioning): Run 2 km daily at moderate pace. Twice a week, perform timed 100m sprint bursts and high jump / long jump technique sessions. Do not postpone physical training until after Paper-I results.
• •Afternoon (Speed & Concept Drills): Dedicate 2 hours to Arithmetic and Advance Math formulas. Solve 20 geometry and trigonometry theorem-based questions daily.
• •Evening (Timed Mock Testing): Take 3 full-length 200-question Paper-I tests every week under strict 2-hour software countdown. Analyze speed gaps and negative-marking patterns.