SSC CPO is an Indian competitive Exam, which is usually conducted by the staff selection Commission. This exam is conducted to select the candidates for the post of home minister sub-inspector in Delhi Police, Sub-inspector in CAPFs, and assistant sub-inspector.
The age group of candidates- 20-20 years of age
Languages in which exam is conducted- English, Hindi
Basic Salary of SSC CPO- Rs 35000- Rs 48000
This exam is conducted once, every year.
Qualification for this exam- Bachelor’s degree from any deemed college, or university.
Nationality- The candidate must be a citizen of either India, Nepal, or Bhutan.
Gender – Both males, and females can apply for this exam.
The number of exams – There are a total of 4 stages of exam- Paper 1, PET/PST, Paper 2, and DME.
Staff Selection Commission
This commission was started in 1975, and the main aim was to select the candidates for the Group B, and Group C posts of the ministries of the Indian Government. Not only Group B, and Group C posts, but SSC sometimes conducts exams for other posts also.
SSC CPO includes the following organizations-
1. Sub-Inspector of Delhi Police.
2. Sub-Inspector of Border Security.
3. Sub-Inspector of Central Industrial Security.
4. Sub-Inspector of Central Reserve Police.
5. Sub-Inspector of Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
6. Sub-Inspector of Sashastra Seema Bal.
7. Assistant Sub-Inspector in Central Industrial Security.
SSC CPO Vacancy
SSC CPO vacancies for various posts under the organization are as follows-
1. For the post of Male Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police
Post | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
Open | 79 | 42 | 24 | 12 | 23 | 189 |
Ex-Serviceman | 06 | 03 | 02 | 02 | 0 | 13 |
Ex-Serviceman (special post) | 06 | 03 | 01 | 02 | 0 | 12 |
Departmental Candidate | 12 | 06 | 03 | 02 | 0 | 23 |
Total | 103 | 54 | 30 | 18 | 23 | 228 |
2. For the post of Female Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police
Details | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | TOTAL |
Open | 51 | 27 | 15 | 08 | 11 | 112 |
3. For the post of Male Sub-Inspector in CAPFs
CAPFs | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
BSF | 133 | 20 | 104 | 58 | 21 |
CISF | 33 | 07 | 21 | 11 | 05 |
CRPF | 1217 | 301 | 812 | 450 | 226 |
ITBP | 66 | 14 | 51 | 22 | 09 |
SSB | 65 | 21 | 56 | 44 | 24 |
Total | 1514 | 363 | 1044 | 585 | 285 |
4. For the post of Female Sub-Inspector in CAPFs
CAPFs | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
BSF | 07 | 01 | 05 | 03 | 01 |
CISF | 04 | 01 | 02 | 01 | 01 |
CRPF | 43 | 10 | 29 | 16 | 08 |
ITBP | 12 | 02 | 09 | 04 | 02 |
SSB | 03 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 02 |
Total | 69 | 14 | 46 | 26 | 14 |
SSC CPO Selection
There are various stages for the complete selection in the SSC CPO exam. Let us see all of them one by one-
1. Paper 1
Before appearing in this stage, a candidate has to make a registration to appear in the SSC CPO exam. If a candidate clears this stage, then he is permitted to appear for the second stage of this exam.
2. PET/PST
Although this stage is quite easy to pass, it is mandatory to appear for the next stage of the exam.
3. Paper 2
Candidates who qualify for the PET/PST exam, are only allowed to appear for this stage. It is one of the most important educational stages in the SSC CPO exam.
4. Medical Exam
Candidates who clear paper 1, PET/PST exam, and paper 2; are short-listed, and therefore are called for a medical check-up and examination. And once a candidate passes the medical exam also, he or she is later called for document verification.
5. Final Selection
It depends on the candidate’s performance in papers 1, and paper 2. And, also the preferences to which posts they have chosen while document verification.
SSC CPO Syllabus
SSC CPO exam syllabus for Paper 1/Tier 1
Sections include
1. General Knowledge
2. Quantitative aptitude
3. General Reasoning
4. English Comprehension
General Reasoning
1. Questions if verbal reasoning
2. Seating arrangement- circular
3. Seating arrangement- linear
4. Conditioning questions
5. Double lining
6. Scheduling
7. Input and Output
8. Blood-related family questions
9. Directions
10. Distances
11. Order and Ranks
12. Data sufficiency
13. Coding and Decoding
14. Unequal Coding
General Knowledge
1. National current affairs
2. International current affairs
3. Honourably awards
4. Books and their authors
5. Sports
6. Entertainment
7. Important historical dates
8. Scientific research
Quantitative Aptitude
1. Mathematical percentage questions
2. Ratio and proportion
3. Data interpretation
4. Geometry
5. Mensuration
6. Equations- linear
7. Equations- Quadratic
8. Interest- simple, and compound
9. Calculation of ages
10. Profit and loss
11. Speed, Distance, Time
12. Numbers
13. Time and work
14. Data sufficiency
English Comprehension
1. Comprehensive reading
2. Grammar
3. Vocabulary
4. Verbal ability
5. Synonyms
6. Antonyms
7. Active and Passive voice
8. Para jumbling
9. Error correction
10. Idioms
11. Fill up the spaces
SSC CPO syllabus for paper 2/Tier 2
Sections included- English Language and Comprehension
1. Error Recognition
2. Fill up the blanks
3. Vocabulary
4. Spellings
5. Grammar
6. Synonyms
7. Antonyms
8. Formation of Sentences
9. Completion of Sentences
10. Word phrasing
11. Idiomatic using of words
12. Comprehension
Physical Standards for SSC CPO Exam
For male candidates of the general category
1. Candidates who come from hilly areas of Garhwal, Kumaun, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmiri valley, Leh and Ladakh regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Northeastern states, Sikkim-
Height- 165cm
Unexpanded chest- 80cm
Expanded chest- 85cm
2. Candidates who belong to Scheduled Tribes-
Height- 162.5 cm
Unexpanded chest- 77cm
Expanded chest- 82cm
For female candidates of the general category
1. Candidates who come from hilly areas of Garhwal, Kumaun, Himachal Pradesh, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmiri valley, Leh and Ladakh regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Northeastern states, and Sikkim-
Height- 155cm
2. Candidates who belong to Scheduled tribes-
Height- 154cm
SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test
For male candidates
1. High jump- 3 chances for 1.2m
2. Long jump- 5 chances for 3.65m
3. Short put 16lbs- 3 chances for 4.5m
4. 1.6km race- 6.5 minutes
5. 100-meter race- 16 seconds
For female candidates
1. High jump- 3 chances for 0.9m
2. Long jump- 5 chances for 2.7m
3. 800m race- 4 minutes
4. 100 m race- 18 seconds
SSC CPO Medical Test
1. Minimum near vision- N6-N9
2. Minimum distant vision- 6/6-6/9
3. Candidates should not have a flat fee, varicose veins, and knock knees.
4. Eye check-ups should be taken without glasses or any correcting devices.
SSC CPO Preparation
While preparing for the SSC CPO exam is that candidates must inculcate a daily habit of reading English newspapers. It helps them in increasing daily current affairs knowledge, as well as increase their English vocabulary, and grammar. Also, candidates must buy those books which include English quizzes. English quizzes also improve English vocabulary and increase the overall knowledge.
Here are some of the strategies that must be looked upon while preparing for the SSC CPO exam-
1. Eligibility criteria are a must-in checklist before appearing for the SSC CPO exam.
2. There should be a thorough list of all the topics which are coming in the SSC CPO exam.
3. Just try to save your time by only referring to the important study materials, and books for the SSC CPO exam; instead of all the materials.
4. Make and follow a proper, regular study schedule before appearing in exams.
5. Try to understand, and make a clear-cut vision of the easiness, and the difficulty of the examination.
6. Kindly go through the previous years’ papers for the examination.
7. Follow the latest year’s SSC CPO examination pattern.
8. Try to reach out to the other candidates, who are going to appear for this exam along with you; because there might be many things, and updates that you might don’t know, and many thing things even that they might don’t know.
Preparation tips for different sections
1. English language and comprehension
• This is the subject that can be prepared by reading various journals, books, magazines, and newspapers, solving grammar assignments, and practicing them.
• You can also improve your vocabulary, and grammar by reading various English novels.
• Also, English news channels are a good source of improving English in any way.
• Try practicing the formation of words, and sentences very often. Along with improving vocabulary, and grammar; it also helps to improve speaking in English.
2. General Knowledge
• To improve your general awareness, try to be active on social media, and watch news channels daily for daily updates.
• Also, include those study materials in your list which have current affairs in a big list.
• The most important topics for general awareness are; civics, geography, politics, science, foreign affairs, culture, economics, technology, research, discovery, and many more.
3. General Reasoning
• Generally in these types of examinations, this section includes both verbal, and non-verbal reasoning.
• To have a good score in this section, concepts of every topic should be cleared very clearly.
• Main topics which are included in this section are; differentiation, similarities, space visualization, visual memory, making decisions, discrimination, number series, non-verbal series, coding, and decoding.
• Mock tests and previous years’ question papers also help a lot to get to know about this subject.
4. Quantitative Aptitude
• This section is nothing but only about mathematics.
• Calculation skills and numbering should be improved to score high in this section.
• Try solving equations, and do calculations, daily. Make this a daily habit to solve the mathematics question very fast.
• Try to make a calculation, a part of your daily life; which can be done just at your fingertips.
• The main topics include; decimals, fractions, percentages, geometry, ratio, proportion, equations, square roots, profit and loss, interest, discount, business calculation, time distance, and work.
General tips before appearing in the exam
• First of all, make a study timetable that must be followed regularly.
• Along with the tuning table, give an equal distribution of time to each subject.
• Allot some free time, rest time, and even for playing; so that your mind doesn’t get buzzed up very soon.
• Whatever you study, just study it in detail and with concepts. Better to study fewer topics than more incomplete ones.
• Solve previous years’ papers of the last 15 years at least, and have an idea of which topics are more important, and which are least.
• Practice mock tests, and identify your strengths, and weak areas.
• It is of no harm in getting online while studying. Many times it might happen; that you’d need the help of google. Instead of searching for something in 10 books, it is better to refer to google at that time.
• Make simple and short notes, for the last revision.
• Have a clear vision of all books to be referred to throughout. Do not refer to any random book at any time, just by listening to anyone.
• Do not come under pressure, tension, or any type of stress any day, just because your friend said that the examination is very competitive, it’s difficult to pass out.
4 Important books for SSC CPO Exam you must refer
1. General Reasoning- Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey, Reasoning by RS Agarwal, Reasoning for exams by KD Campus.
2. English Comprehension- Objective questions of English by SP Bakshi, Objective English by RS Agarwal, Common errors by AK Singh.
3. General Awareness- General Knowledge by Lucent, Manorama Yearbook, GS Set by KD Campus.
4. Quantitative Aptitude- Arihant’s objective book, Quantitative Aptitude by RS Agarwal, Volume 1 and Volume 2 of arithmetics by Neetu Singh.