SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification, Physical Standards and Medical Eligibility

To apply for SSC CPO 2026, candidates must meet the prescribed requirements related to nationality, age, educational qualification and physical and medical standards.

For most SSC CPO posts, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree and be 20 to 25 years old as of 1 August 2026. However, the newly notified Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF post has different eligibility conditions: the age limit is 18 to 30 years, and candidates need a specified science or engineering qualification.

Male candidates applying for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police must also possess a valid LMV driving licence for both motorcycle and car by the date fixed for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test.

All conditions below have been verified from the official SSC CPO Notification 2026.

SSC CPO Age Limit 2026

The crucial date for determining candidates’ age is 1 August 2026.

The age limit for the following posts is 20 to 25 years:

• Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police;
• Sub-Inspector (GD) in BSF;
• Sub-Inspector (GD) in CRPF;
• Sub-Inspector (GD) in CISF;
• Sub-Inspector (GD) in ITBP; and
• Sub-Inspector (GD) in SSB.

Candidates must have been born:

• Not earlier than: 2 August 2001
• Not later than: 1 August 2006

Both dates are inclusive.

The age limit for Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF is 18 to 30 years.

Candidates must have been born:

• Not earlier than: 2 August 1996
• Not later than: 1 August 2008

Both dates are inclusive.

SSC CPO Post-Wise Age Limit

SSC CPO Age Relaxation 2026

Candidates belonging to eligible reserved categories receive relaxation in the upper age limit according to government rules.

Maximum Age After Relaxation

Candidates must hold valid category documents and satisfy the prescribed conditions to claim relaxation.

The following relaxation applies specifically to the post of Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police:

This relaxation is subject to the production of the required documents in the prescribed format.

Delhi Police departmental candidates must have completed at least three years of regular and continuous service by the application closing date.

This concession applies only against vacancies in Delhi Police.

SSC will determine the candidate’s age using the date of birth mentioned in:

• The online application form; and
• The Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate.

The date of birth in both records must match. SSC will not normally accept a subsequent request to change the date of birth.

SSC CPO Educational Qualification 2026

Educational qualifications must be acquired on or before the closing date for online applications, which is 30 September 2026.

Candidates applying for the following posts must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification:

• Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police; and
• Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs.

Can Final-Year Graduation Students Apply?

Yes. Candidates who have appeared or are appearing in their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent examination may submit the application.

However:

• Their final result must be declared on or before 30 September 2026.
• They must be able to produce documentary evidence showing that they passed by the cut-off date.
• Merely appearing in the examination or waiting for the result will not make a candidate eligible.
• If the university is still processing the result on the closing date but has not declared it, the candidate will not satisfy the qualification requirement.

Candidates applying for SI (Fire) in CISF must possess either of the following qualifications:

Option 1: Science Graduation

A Bachelor’s degree in Science with:

• Physics;
• Chemistry; and
• Mathematics

from a recognized university or an equivalent institution.

Option 2: Three-Year Engineering Diploma

Matriculation or an equivalent qualification along with a three-year diploma in any of the following engineering disciplines:

• Mechanical Engineering;
• Civil Engineering;
• Electrical Engineering;
• Automobile Engineering;
• Chemical Engineering;
• Mining Engineering;
• Aeronautical Engineering;
• Telecommunication Engineering; or
• An equivalent recognized discipline.

Are B.Tech or M.Tech Candidates Eligible for SI (Fire)?

A higher qualification such as B.Tech or M.Tech in a relevant field may be accepted as an additional qualification, provided the candidate also possesses the prescribed basic qualification, particularly the required diploma, wherever applicable.

Candidates should not assume that an unrelated Bachelor’s degree is sufficient for CISF SI (Fire).

Driving Licence Requirement for Delhi Police SI

A valid driving licence is mandatory for male candidates applying for Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police.

The candidate must possess a valid LMV driving licence covering:

• Motorcycle; and
• Car.

The licence must be valid on the date fixed for the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test—PE&MT.

Important Clarification

The licence must have been issued before the relevant PE&MT date and must be produced during document verification when required.

SSC CPO Nationality Criteria 2026

An applicant must be one of the following:

1. A citizen of India;
2. A subject of Nepal; or
3. A subject of Bhutan.

Candidates who are subjects of Nepal or Bhutan must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

Such candidates may be permitted to appear in the examination, but an appointment offer will be issued only after the Government of India provides the required eligibility certificate.

SSC CPO Physical Eligibility 2026

Candidates shortlisted through Paper-I must qualify the Physical Standard Test and Physical Endurance Test.

PST and PET do not carry marks, but they are mandatory and qualifying in nature.

Male Candidates

Female Candidates

There is no chest measurement requirement for female candidates.

Male Candidates

Female Candidates

The notified CISF SI (Fire) vacancies are for male candidates.

For all posts, weight must be proportionate to height.

Candidates claiming relaxation in height or chest must produce the prescribed certificate issued by the competent authority.

SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test 2026

Is PET Mandatory for Ex-Servicemen?

Ex-Servicemen are not required to undergo PET. However, they must:

• Pass the written examinations;
• Fulfil the prescribed physical standards;
• Qualify the medical examination; and
• Satisfy all applicable eligibility requirements.

SSC CPO Medical Eligibility 2026

Candidates qualifying Paper-II will undergo a Detailed Medical Examination conducted by an authorized medical officer.

The required visual standard must be met without correction such as spectacles or surgery performed to improve visual acuity.

Candidates:

• Must not have knock knees;
• Must not have flat feet;
• Must not have varicose veins;
• Must not have squint in the eyes;
• Must possess high colour vision;
• Must be in good mental and physical health; and
• Must be free from any physical defect that may interfere with efficient performance of duties.

Candidates found medically unfit during DME may be considered for a Review Medical Examination according to the procedure given in the official notification.

Tattoos may be accepted only when they satisfy the prescribed conditions:

Final acceptance is subject to examination by the concerned authorities.

SSC CPO Reservation Certificate Requirements

OBC candidates must:

• Belong to a community included in the relevant recognized list;
• Not fall under the creamy-layer category on the closing date; and
• Produce the prescribed OBC certificate when required.

An OBC certificate issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi for a community appearing only in the Delhi OBC list may be accepted for Delhi Police SI. Such candidates may be treated as UR/EWS for other posts if the community is not in the Central OBC list.

EWS candidates must possess an Income and Asset Certificate:

• Valid for the financial year 2026–27;
• Based on income for financial year 2025–26; and
• Issued by a competent authority in the prescribed format.

Candidates claiming SC/ST reservation or physical-standard relaxation must produce certificates in the prescribed format issued by the competent authority.

Important Eligibility Rules for Ex-Servicemen

• Ex-Servicemen receive three years’ relaxation after deducting military service from their actual age.
• Dependents, sons and daughters of Ex-Servicemen cannot claim ESM age relaxation or reservation.
• A Matriculate Ex-Serviceman with at least 15 years of service may be eligible for Group C Delhi Police SI posts reserved for Ex-Servicemen, subject to the notification conditions.
• Non-graduate Ex-Servicemen who have not completed the prescribed 15 years of service are not eligible under this provision.
• Documentary proof of ESM status and service must be produced when required.

SSC CPO Eligibility Checklist

Before applying, candidates should confirm the following:

• Nationality condition is fulfilled.
• Age is within the post-wise limit as of 1 August 2026.
• Graduation or the prescribed SI (Fire) qualification will be completed by 30 September 2026.
• Date of birth matches the Matriculation certificate.
• Required caste/category certificate is available.
• Male Delhi Police SI applicants possess or will possess the prescribed motorcycle-and-car driving licence by PE&MT.
• Height and chest standards are fulfilled.
• Candidate can complete all PET events.
• Eyesight and other medical standards are satisfied.
• Information entered in the application is supported by original documents.