SSC CPO Cut Off 2026: Expected & Previous Year Cut Off, Category-Wise

The SSC CPO cut off is the minimum score you need in Paper 1 to qualify for the PST/PET stage of the Sub-Inspector recruitment in Delhi Police and CAPFs. SSC releases it separately for male, female and Delhi Police departmental candidates, and for each category. This article covers the expected SSC CPO cut off 2026, the latest and previous year cut-off marks, Paper 2 and final cut-offs, minimum qualifying marks and the factors that decide the cut-off, so you can set a realistic target score.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2026

SSC released the SSC CPO 2026 notification on 10 September 2026 for 1,871 Sub-Inspector vacancies. The official SSC CPO cut off 2026 will be released with the Paper 1 result, after the exam is over. Until then, the CPO 2025 cut-off (exam held 9–12 December 2025, result released 30 March 2026) is the best benchmark.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2026 Expected

The SSC CPO expected cut off 2026 is based on the CPO 2025 cut-off, adjusted for the lower number of vacancies this year (1,871). With fewer posts, SSC will shortlist fewer candidates for the PST/PET, so the cut-off is likely to be the same as or slightly higher than last year.

Note: These are Guidely's estimates out of 200 marks, not official figures.

SSC CPO Paper 1 Cut Off 2026

The SSC CPO Paper 1 cut off (also called the Tier 1 cut off) decides who is called for the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET). Paper 1 has 200 questions for 200 marks in four sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Since it is held in multiple shifts, the cut-off is based on normalised marks. The section-wise topics are covered in the SSC CPO 2026 syllabus.

Here is the latest Paper 1 cut-off (CPO 2025) for all three candidate groups:

In CPO 2025, 44,067 male, 4,320 female and 228 departmental candidates qualified for the PST/PET.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2026: Category-Wise

SSC releases the SSC CPO cut off category-wise for UR, OBC, EWS, SC, ST and ESM. The tables below show the latest CPO 2025 cut-off and the expected 2026 range for each category.

SSC CPO Cut Off for General

The SSC CPO cut off for General (UR) candidates was 119.47517 for males and 128.01610 for females in CPO 2025. For 2026, the expected UR cut-off is 120–128 for males and 128–136 for females.

SSC CPO Cut Off for OBC

The SSC CPO cut off for OBC was 115.02519 for males and 124.22057 for females in CPO 2025, about 4 marks below UR.

SSC CPO Cut Off for SC

The SSC CPO cut off for SC was 88.95164 for males and 100.91972 for females in CPO 2025.

SSC CPO Cut Off for ST

The SSC CPO cut off for ST was 89.06234 for males (slightly above SC) and 95.19641 for females in CPO 2025.

SSC CPO Cut Off for EWS

The SSC CPO cut off for EWS was 114.60115 for males and 126.55856 for females in CPO 2025. The female EWS cut-off was higher than female OBC.

SSC CPO Cut Off for ESM

The SSC CPO cut off for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) usually stays at or close to the minimum qualifying mark of 40 (20% of 200). In CPO 2025, it was 40 for both males and females, and in CPO 2024 it was 40.07024 for males and 42.69427 for females.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2026: Male and Female

SSC releases separate SSC CPO cut off for male and female candidates, because vacancies, the number of applicants and shortlisting needs differ between the two groups. Female cut-offs have been higher than male cut-offs in every category in recent years, mainly because there are far fewer female vacancies. The split of male and female posts is given in the SSC CPO vacancy details.

SSC CPO Cut Off for Female Candidates

The SSC CPO cut off for female candidates in CPO 2025 was 128.01610 for UR, 124.22057 for OBC and 126.55856 for EWS. SC and ST were 100.91972 and 95.19641.

SSC CPO Cut Off for Male Candidates

The SSC CPO cut off for male candidates in CPO 2025 was 119.47517 for UR, 115.02519 for OBC and 114.60115 for EWS. SC and ST were 88.95164 and 89.06234.

SSC CPO Cut Off for Departmental Candidates

Male departmental candidates of Delhi Police (constables and head constables with at least 3 years of service) have a separate cut-off, as they compete for posts reserved for them. In CPO 2025, the UR cut-off was 127.92622, while OBC and EWS were 116.64021 and 120.78203.

SSC CPO Previous Year Cut Off

The SSC CPO previous year cut off shows how the qualifying marks have moved over the years. The years below refer to the CPO exam cycle (for example, CPO 2025 Paper 1 was held in December 2025). Here is the UR Paper 1 cut-off trend at a glance:

CPO 2023 had both the highest cut-off and the fewest candidates shortlisted in recent years. Solving past papers alongside these cut-offs helps you judge whether your score is in the safe range.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2025

CPO 2025 Paper 1 was held from 9 to 12 December 2025, and the result was released on 30 March 2026.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2024

In CPO 2024, the female UR cut-off was 135.27003, more than 15 marks above the male UR cut-off of 119.80335. A total of 76,278 male and 7,335 female candidates qualified.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2023

CPO 2023 had the highest cut-off in recent years, with the male UR cut-off at 138.99649 and the female UR at 143.83082. Only 28,633 male and 2,607 female candidates qualified.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2022

In CPO 2022, the male UR cut-off was 115.04762 and the female UR was 126.29644. A total of 63,945 male and 4,419 female candidates qualified for the PST/PET.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2021

SSC did not hold a separate CPO exam in 2021. The cut-off released in 2021 belongs to the CPO 2020 exam (Paper 1 held in November 2020), in which the male UR cut-off was 114.67434 and the female UR was 118.38628.

SSC CPO Expected Cut Off 2026

The SSC CPO expected cut off 2026 given above is based on three things: the CPO 2025 cut-off, the CPO 2024 cut-off (to show year-to-year movement), and the 2026 vacancy count. Once the Paper 1 exam is held, the difficulty level and the number of candidates who appeared will give a clearer picture.

To be safe, aim for a target score above the expected range for your category:

A higher Paper 1 score also helps in the final merit, since final selection is based on Paper 1 and Paper 2 marks combined.

SSC CPO Minimum Qualifying Marks

The SSC CPO minimum qualifying marks are different from the cut-off. The minimum qualifying marks are the lowest score SSC accepts in Paper 1 and Paper 2, while the cut-off is the score needed to actually be shortlisted. Scoring only the minimum does not guarantee shortlisting.

This is why the ESM cut-off is often exactly 40 marks: there are usually fewer ESM candidates than posts, so everyone who meets the 20% minimum qualifies.

SSC CPO Cut Off for Delhi Police and CAPF

SSC does not release a separate Paper 1 cut-off for Delhi Police and CAPF. The SSC CPO cut off marks for Delhi Police and the SSC CPO cut off marks for CAPF are the same at the Paper 1 stage, and are released by gender and category. The only separate group is male departmental candidates of Delhi Police.

The difference appears at the final stage. After Paper 2, candidates are allotted to Delhi Police or a CAPF (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP or SSB) based on their combined Paper 1 and Paper 2 merit, category, post preference and the vacancies available. Delhi Police SI is usually the most preferred post, so it is filled by higher-ranking candidates. Make sure you meet the SSC CPO eligibility criteria for your preferred force, such as the driving licence rule for male candidates in Delhi Police.

Factors Affecting SSC CPO Cut Off 2026

The SSC CPO cut off can go up or down each year depending on these factors:

• Number of vacancies: CPO 2026 has 1,871 posts, so fewer candidates will be shortlisted
• Number of candidates who appear for Paper 1
• Difficulty level of Paper 1
• Normalisation of scores across shifts
• Separate vacancies for male, female and departmental candidates
• Category-wise vacancies and competition
• The number of candidates SSC needs to shortlist for PST/PET

How to Check SSC CPO Cut Off 2026?

SSC publishes the SSC CPO cut off PDF along with the Paper 1 result. Follow these steps to check it:

• Visit the official SSC website, ssc.gov.in.
• Click on the Results section.
• Select CAPF (or SI in Delhi Police and CAPFs) from the exam list.
• Open the SSC CPO 2026 Paper 1 result write-up PDF.
• Check the cut-off for your category and candidate group (male, female or departmental).
• Download the PDF for future reference.

You can find the result, the cut-off PDF and qualified candidate lists on the SSC CPO result page once SSC declares them. The expected result timeline is covered on the SSC CPO exam date page.

SSC CPO Final Cut Off

The SSC CPO final cut off is based on the combined marks of Paper 1 and Paper 2 (out of 400), after candidates clear the PST/PET and the Detailed Medical Examination. Paper 2 is an English Language and Comprehension test of 200 marks. The final cut-off is much higher than the Paper 1 cut-off, and it also varies by post, since toppers get their preferred force first.

Here is the Paper 2 stage cut-off (Paper 1 + Paper 2 marks) for CPO 2022:

And the final cut-off (Paper 1 + Paper 2) for CPO 2020:

For the complete SSC CPO exam selection process, including PST/PET and medical standards, check the exam overview.

SSC CPO Cut Off 2026 FAQs

Q1. What is the SSC CPO cut off 2026?

The SSC CPO cut off 2026 is the minimum Paper 1 score needed to qualify for the PST/PET. The official cut-off is not out yet. The expected UR cut-off is 120–128 for males and 128–136 for females.

Q2. When will the SSC CPO cut off 2026 be released?

SSC will release the official SSC CPO cut off 2026 along with the Paper 1 result, after the exam is over.

Q3. What is the SSC CPO Paper 1 cut off 2026?

The Paper 1 cut-off will be released by category and candidate group. Based on the CPO 2025 cut-off, the expected male cut-off is 120–128 (UR), 115–123 (OBC), 114–122 (EWS), 89–97 (SC) and 87–95 (ST).

Q4. What is the SSC CPO expected cut off 2026?

The expected cut-off for males is 120–128 for UR, 115–123 for OBC, 114–122 for EWS, 89–97 for SC and 87–95 for ST. For females, it is 128–136 for UR, 124–131 for OBC, 126–133 for EWS, 100–108 for SC and 95–102 for ST.

Q5. Is the SSC CPO cut off different for male and female candidates?

Yes. SSC releases separate cut-offs for male and female candidates. Female cut-offs are higher; for example, in CPO 2025 the UR cut-off was 128.01610 for females and 119.47517 for males.

Q6. What is the SSC CPO cut off for the General category?

In CPO 2025, the General (UR) cut-off was 119.47517 for males and 128.01610 for females. For 2026, it is expected to be 120–128 for males and 128–136 for females.

Q7. What is the SSC CPO cut off for OBC, SC, ST and EWS?

In CPO 2025, the male cut-off was 115.02519 for OBC, 114.60115 for EWS, 88.95164 for SC and 89.06234 for ST. The female cut-off was 124.22057 for OBC, 126.55856 for EWS, 100.91972 for SC and 95.19641 for ST.

Q8. What are the minimum qualifying marks for SSC CPO?

The minimum qualifying marks are 30% for UR (60 out of 200), 25% for OBC/EWS (50) and 20% for SC/ST/ESM (40). These are lower than the actual cut-off.

Q9. What was the SSC CPO previous year cut off?

The UR male cut-off was 119.47517 in CPO 2025, 119.80335 in 2024, 138.99649 in 2023 and 115.04762 in 2022. The UR female cut-off was 128.01610, 135.27003, 143.83082 and 126.29644 in the same years.

Q10. Is there a separate SSC CPO cut off for Delhi Police and CAPF?

No, the Paper 1 cut-off is common for Delhi Police and CAPF. It is released separately only for male, female and Delhi Police departmental candidates. The force you get is decided at the final stage, based on merit and preference.

Q11. How is the SSC CPO cut off calculated?

SSC sets the cut-off based on vacancies, the number of candidates, normalised scores and the number of candidates it needs to shortlist for each category and candidate group.

Q12. What factors affect the SSC CPO cut off?

The main factors are the number of vacancies, the number of candidates, paper difficulty, normalisation, separate male and female vacancies, and category-wise competition.

Q13. Where can I check the official SSC CPO cut off PDF?

You can check the official SSC CPO cut off PDF in the Results section of ssc.gov.in, in the Paper 1 result write-up.

Q14. What is the SSC CPO final cut off?

The final cut-off is based on combined Paper 1 and Paper 2 marks (out of 400). In CPO 2022, the cut-off after Paper 2 was 252.69 for UR males and 288.45 for UR females.

Q15. How many marks are required to qualify for the SSC CPO PET/PST stage?

You need to score at or above the Paper 1 cut-off for your category and group. In CPO 2025, this was 119.47517 for UR males and 128.01610 for UR females. For 2026, a score of 135+ (male) or 145+ (female) is safe for UR candidates.