The SSC CPO eligibility criteria 2026 set out the age limit, educational qualification, nationality, physical standards and medical requirements for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and SI (Fire) in CISF. SSC released the SSC CPO 2026 notification on 10 September 2026 for 1,871 vacancies, and online applications closed on 30 September 2026.

In short, you need a bachelor's degree, must be 20–25 years old as on 1 August 2026 (18–30 for SI Fire), and must meet the height, chest and fitness standards. Male candidates applying for Delhi Police also need a valid LMV driving licence. Here is a quick overview of the SSC CPO eligibility for the SSC CPO exam.

SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026

Before you start preparing for SSC CPO 2026, make sure you meet the SSC CPO eligibility criteria. SSC checks your age, educational qualification, nationality, physical standards and medical fitness at different stages of the recruitment, and failing any one of them can lead to rejection even after you clear the written exam. This article covers the complete SSC CPO eligibility 2026 for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police, CAPFs and SI (Fire) in CISF, including age relaxation, height and chest requirements, the Physical Endurance Test, medical standards and the documents you need.

Meeting the eligibility criteria only allows you to apply. Final selection depends on clearing each stage and scoring above the SSC CPO cut-off.

SSC CPO Age Limit 2026

The SSC CPO age limit 2026 is different for regular Sub-Inspector posts and the SI (Fire) post in CISF. Age is calculated as on 1 August 2026.

Both dates are included. The upper age limit is relaxed for reserved categories, as explained below.

SSC CPO Age Relaxation 2026

The SSC CPO age relaxation 2026 applies to the upper age limit for reserved and special categories. There is no age relaxation for EWS candidates, and PwBD candidates are not eligible for CPO posts.

Age Relaxation for SC/ST Candidates

SC and ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation in the upper age limit. This means the upper age limit is 30 years for regular SI posts and 35 years for SI (Fire).

Age Relaxation for OBC Candidates

OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years of relaxation, so the upper age limit is 28 years for regular SI posts and 33 years for SI (Fire).

Age Relaxation for Ex-Servicemen

Ex-Servicemen get 3 years of relaxation after deducting the period of military service from their actual age on the closing date.

Departmental candidates of Delhi Police must have at least 3 years of regular and continuous service as on the closing date.

SSC CPO Educational Qualification 2026

The SSC CPO educational qualification 2026 depends on the post:

Candidates with a B.Tech or M.Tech can apply for SI (Fire) only if they also hold the basic engineering diploma. You must have the required qualification on or before 30 September 2026. Since the Paper 1 and Paper 2 syllabus is the same for every discipline, graduates from any stream can prepare using the SSC CPO syllabus 2026.

SSC CPO Nationality and Citizenship

To meet the SSC CPO nationality criteria, a candidate must be one of the following:

• A citizen of India
• A subject of Nepal
• A subject of Bhutan

Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan can take the exam, but they need an eligibility certificate from the Government of India before appointment.

SSC CPO Eligibility for Delhi Police

For the SSC CPO eligibility criteria for Delhi Police (SI Executive), you must:

• Be 20–25 years old as on 1 August 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories, departmental candidates and eligible women
• Hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline
• Meet the height, chest (male) and medical standards
• Hold a valid LMV driving licence for motorcycle and car (male candidates only) on the date of the PET/PST

Both men and women can apply for SI posts in Delhi Police, as separate vacancies are reserved for female candidates.

SSC CPO Eligibility for CAPF

The CAPFs under SSC CPO include BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. For the SSC CPO eligibility criteria for CAPF (SI GD), you need a bachelor's degree in any discipline and must be 20–25 years old as on 1 August 2026. You must also meet the physical and medical standards. A driving licence is not required for CAPF posts.

For SI (Fire) in CISF, you need a B.Sc. (PCM) or an engineering diploma, and the age limit is 18–30 years. SI (Fire) is open only to male candidates.

SSC CPO Driving Licence Requirement

The SSC CPO driving licence requirement applies only to male candidates applying for SI in Delhi Police. They must hold a valid LMV driving licence covering both motorcycle and car on the date of the Physical Endurance and Standard Tests (PET/PST). Candidates without a valid licence on that date are not allowed to appear in the PET/PST for Delhi Police.

The driving licence is not required for female candidates or for CAPF posts.

SSC CPO Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026

The SSC CPO physical eligibility has two parts: the Physical Standard Test (PST), which measures height and chest, and the Physical Endurance Test (PET), which tests running, jumping and shot put. Both are qualifying, and the standards differ for men and women, by category and by post.

SSC CPO Height Requirements

The standard height requirement for male candidates is 170 cm, with relaxation for candidates from specified hill areas and for ST candidates.

*Specified hill areas include Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir Valley, Leh and Ladakh, the North-Eastern States and Sikkim, along with Gorkhas, Dogras and Marathas.

For SI (Fire) in CISF, the height requirement is the same, but the chest requirement is higher at 81 cm unexpanded and 86 cm expanded (77/82 cm for ST).

SSC CPO Chest Measurement

The SSC CPO chest measurement applies only to male candidates. The general requirement is 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded, with a minimum expansion of 5 cm. ST candidates need 77 cm unexpanded and 82 cm expanded. Female candidates have no chest requirement.

SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test

The SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test (PET) is qualifying. Candidates who clear Paper 1 are called for it, and shortlisted names appear in the SSC CPO result.

SSC CPO Physical Standards for Female Candidates

The SSC CPO physical standards for female candidates are based only on height, as there is no chest requirement.

SSC CPO Medical Requirements 2026

Candidates who clear Paper 2 must pass a Detailed Medical Examination (DME). The SSC CPO medical requirements include eyesight, colour vision and overall fitness.

SSC CPO Eligibility for Male and Female Candidates

The age, education and nationality criteria are the same for male and female candidates. The differences are:

The number of posts for men and women in each force is given in the SSC CPO vacancy details.

SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria for Final-Year Students

Final-year students can apply for SSC CPO 2026, but they must pass their degree and hold the qualification on or before 30 September 2026. Candidates who get their result after this date are not eligible, even if they clear the exam. Keep an eye on the SSC CPO exam date so you can plan your preparation around your final exams.

SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026: Documents Required

Keep these documents ready for the application and document verification:

• Graduation degree or provisional certificate and marksheets
• Class 10 certificate (as proof of date of birth)
• Valid photo ID proof, such as Aadhaar or Voter ID
• Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL), if applicable
• EWS certificate, if applicable
• Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate, if applicable
• No Objection Certificate for departmental and government employees, if applicable
• Valid LMV driving licence (male candidates for Delhi Police)
• Domicile/residence certificate for claiming hill area height relaxation, if applicable
• Eligibility certificate from the Government of India (Nepal/Bhutan subjects)

SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria FAQs

Q1. What is the SSC CPO eligibility criteria 2026?

You must be an Indian citizen (or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan), aged 20–25 years as on 1 August 2026 (18–30 for SI Fire), hold a bachelor's degree by 30 September 2026, and meet the physical and medical standards. Male candidates for Delhi Police also need an LMV driving licence.

Q2. What is the SSC CPO age limit 2026?

The age limit is 20–25 years as on 1 August 2026 for all posts except SI (Fire) in CISF, for which it is 18–30 years.

Q3. What is the educational qualification required for SSC CPO 2026?

A bachelor's degree in any discipline is required for SI in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs. For SI (Fire) in CISF, you need a B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or a 3-year engineering diploma.

Q4. Can final-year graduation students apply for SSC CPO 2026?

Yes, but you must pass your degree and hold the qualification on or before 30 September 2026.

Q5. Is a graduation degree mandatory for SSC CPO?

Yes, a bachelor's degree is mandatory for SI in Delhi Police and CAPFs. For SI (Fire) in CISF, a 3-year engineering diploma after Class 10 is also accepted instead of a B.Sc. (PCM).

Q6. What is the SSC CPO age relaxation for SC, ST and OBC candidates?

SC and ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation, and OBC (NCL) candidates get 3 years. There is no age relaxation for EWS candidates.

Q7. Is a driving licence required for SSC CPO?

Only male candidates applying for SI in Delhi Police need a valid LMV licence for motorcycle and car, on the date of the PET/PST. It is not required for women or for CAPF posts.

Q8. What are the physical eligibility requirements for SSC CPO 2026?

You must meet the height and chest (male) standards in the PST and clear the PET: a 100 m race, a long race (1.6 km for men, 800 m for women), long jump, high jump and shot put (men only). You must also pass the medical exam.

Q9. What is the minimum height required for SSC CPO?

The minimum height is 170 cm for men and 157 cm for women in the general category. It is relaxed to 165 cm and 155 cm for hill areas, and to 162.5 cm and 154 cm for ST candidates.

Q10. What are the SSC CPO chest measurement requirements?

Male candidates need a chest of 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded (77/82 cm for ST). For SI (Fire) in CISF, it is 81/86 cm. There is no chest requirement for women.

Q11. Are female candidates eligible for SSC CPO 2026?

Yes. Women can apply for SI in Delhi Police and SI (GD) in CAPFs. SI (Fire) in CISF is open only to male candidates.

Q12. What is the SSC CPO eligibility criteria for Delhi Police?

For SI in Delhi Police, you need a bachelor's degree, must be 20–25 years old as on 1 August 2026, and must meet the physical and medical standards. Male candidates also need a valid LMV licence for motorcycle and car.

Q13. What is the SSC CPO eligibility criteria for CAPF?

For SI (GD) in CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB), you need a bachelor's degree, must be 20–25 years old as on 1 August 2026, and must meet the physical and medical standards. No driving licence is needed.

Q14. What are the nationality requirements for SSC CPO 2026?

You must be an Indian citizen or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan. Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan need an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.

Q15. Can candidates from any state apply for SSC CPO 2026?

Yes. SSC CPO is an all-India recruitment, so eligible candidates from any state or Union Territory can apply. Candidates from specified hill areas also get height relaxation.