SSC CPO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

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Author at PW

June 12, 2025

Dreaming of wearing the uniform and serving your nation as a police officer? Do you want a secure government job with respect and good pay? The Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organisation (SSC CPO) exam opens doors to prestigious police jobs across India. Thousands of candidates compete yearly, but only those who truly understand the SSC CPO syllabus and SSC CPO exam pattern succeed in this challenging test. But with the right preparation strategy, you can join forces like BSF, CISF, or Delhi Police. The job offers job security, a good salary, and the honor of serving your country. We will give you everything you need to crack the SSC CPO exam. We will break down the entire syllabus, explain the exam pattern.

Check Out: PW SSC Books

SS CPO Exam

The SSC CPO exam helps select candidates for various police jobs in India. These include positions in:

Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
Delhi Police
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
Border Security Force (BSF)
IndoTibetan Border Police (ITBP)

The exam tests your knowledge, physical fitness, and English skills. Only candidates who pass all stages get selected for these important jobs.

Exam Particulars	Details
Examination authority	SSC
Post Name	CPO
No. of Vacancy	To be announced
Application beginning date	16th June 2025
Deadline for Applications	7th July 2025
Exam Type	National
Frequency of exams	Annual

Check Out: SSC Previous year Papers

Complete SS CPO Exam Pattern 2025

The SSC CPO exam pattern has three main stages that every candidate must complete:

Stage 1: Paper I (ComputerBased Test)

Paper I is the first written test you need to pass. Here are the key details:

Test Format:

Type: Computerbased test with multiple choice questions
Total Questions: 200 questions
Total Marks: 200 marks
Time Given: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks cut for each wrong answer

Subjectwise Breakdown:

General Intelligence & Reasoning: 50 questions (50 marks)
General Knowledge & General Awareness: 50 questions (50 marks)
Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions (50 marks)
English Comprehension: 50 questions (50 marks)

The test is available in both English and Hindi languages. However, the English section is only in English.

Stage 2: Physical Test (PET/PST)

After clearing Paper I, candidates face physical tests. The SSC CPO pattern includes:

Physical Standard Test (PST):

This test checks if you meet the required height and chest measurements. The standards are different for men and women from various categories.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET):

This test checks your physical fitness through running and other activities. Candidates who pass Paper I must attend the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET).

Physical Standards (for General category male):

Height: Minimum 170 cm
Chest: 80 cm (unexpanded), 85 cm (expanded)

Physical Efficiency (for male candidates):

100meter race in 16 seconds
1.6 km race in 6.5 minutes
Long jump: 3.65 meters in 3 chances
High jump: 1.2 meters in 3 chances
Shot put (16 lbs): 4.5 meters in 3 chances

Note: Different rules apply for female and other category candidates.

Stage 3: Paper II (English Test)

Only candidates who pass the physical test can take Paper II.

Test Details:

Subject: English Language & Comprehension only
Total Questions: 200 questions
Total Marks: 200 marks
Time Given: 2 hours
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks cut for each wrong answer

Stage 4: Medical Test

The final stage is a medical checkup to ensure you are fit for police duties.

Check Out: SSC Game Changer Combo Set of 4 Books in Hindi

SSC CPO Syllabus 2025

Understanding the SSC CPO syllabus helps you prepare better. Let's look at each subject in detail.

Paper I Syllabus

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning

This section tests how well you can think and solve problems. Important topics include:

Basic Topics:

Analogies (finding similarities)
Differences and similarities
Problem solving
Decision making
Visual memory

Advanced Topics:

Coding and decoding
Blood relations
Seating arrangements
Directions and distances
Number series
Syllogism

Trick for This Section:

Practice daily with different types of questions. Start with easier topics and move to harder ones. Time management is very important here.

2. General Knowledge and General Awareness

This section covers current events and general information about India and the world.

Main Areas:

Current affairs (last 6 months)
Indian history
Geography of India
Indian culture and traditions
Government and politics
Economy basics
Science and technology
Sports and awards
Important books and authors

Study Tips:

Read newspapers daily. Make notes of important events. Use monthly current affairs magazines for quick revision.

3. Quantitative Aptitude

This section tests your math skills. The SSC CPO mains syllabus focuses on basic to intermediate math concepts.

Number Topics:

Whole numbers and decimals
Fractions and percentages
Ratios and proportions
Square roots and averages

Calculation Topics:

Simple and compound interest
Profit and loss
Time and distance
Time and work
Mixtures and partnerships

Advanced Topics:

Basic algebra
Geometry and mensuration
Data interpretation
Number series

Math Preparation Tips:

Learn basic formulas first. Practice calculations without a calculator. Solve previous year questions regularly.

4. English Comprehension

This section checks your English language skills.

Reading Skills:

Reading comprehension passages
Understanding the main idea
Finding specific information

Grammar Topics:

Active and passive voice
Direct and indirect speech
Tenses
Articles and prepositions

Vocabulary:

Synonyms (words with same meaning)
Antonyms (words with opposite meaning)
Spelling correction
Fill in the blanks

Writing Skills:

Sentence formation
Para jumbles
Error detection

Check Out: Computer Awareness Book for All Competitive Exams

SSC CPO Mains Syllabus

SSC CPO mains syllabus focuses only on English language skills:

Detailed English Topics:

Advanced reading comprehension
Complex grammar rules
Vocabulary building
Sentence improvement
Paragraph writing skills
Error spotting in sentences

Preparation Strategy:

Read English newspapers and magazines daily. Practice comprehension passages. Work on grammar rules step by step.

SSC CPO Paper Pattern

The SSC CPO paper pattern has some important features:

Computer-Based Testing: Both papers are taken on computers, so practice typing and using a computer mouse.
Negative Marking: Wrong answers reduce your score, so guess carefully.
Time Practice : With 200 questions in 2 hours, you have less than 1 minute per question.
Physical Fitness: Don't ignore physical preparation. Many candidates fail at this stage.
English Focus: Paper II is only English, so strengthen this subject.

The SSC CPO exam is challenging but not impossible. With proper planning and consistent effort, you can clear all stages. The ssc cpo syllabus and ssc cpo exam pattern are designed to select the best candidates for police services. With dedication and smart preparation, you can join the ranks of those who serve and protect our nation.

SSC CPO Exam FAQs

1. How many papers are there in the SSC CPO exam?

There are two main written papers, Paper I and Paper II. These are followed by a physical test and a medical exam.

2. What is the SSC CPO exam pattern for Paper I?

Paper I includes four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section has 50 questions, making a total of 200 questions for 200 marks.

3. What topics are covered in the SSC CPO syllabus for reasoning?

Reasoning topics include analogies, coding-decoding, syllogisms, series, blood relations, direction test, and more.

4. Who is eligible to take the SSC CPO exam?

Graduates aged between 20 and 25 years (as per SSC rules) can apply for the SSC CPO exam. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.

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