SSC CPO SI/ASI Exam Pattern: Paper I, Paper II, PET/PST Details

The SSC CPO (Central Police Organisation) exam recruits Sub Inspectors for Delhi Police, CAPFs (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB), and Assistant Sub Inspectors for CISF. It is one of the few SSC exams that includes a physical fitness test, which changes the preparation dynamics significantly compared to desk-only exams like CGL or CHSL.

Let me break down the complete exam pattern so you know exactly what each stage demands.

SSC CPO Selection Process: Overview

The selection for SI/ASI posts follows a four-stage process:

Stage	Component	Nature
Stage 1	Paper I (Computer Based Examination)	Merit-based
Stage 2	Physical Endurance Test (PET) + Physical Standard Test (PST)	Qualifying
Stage 3	Paper II (Computer Based Examination)	Merit-based
Stage 4	Detailed Medical Examination (DME)	Qualifying

Your final merit is determined by the combined score of Paper I and Paper II. PET/PST and DME are pass/fail — they do not contribute marks to your ranking.

Paper I: Detailed Exam Pattern

Paper I is the first screening stage and determines who advances to the physical test.

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
General Intelligence & Reasoning	50	50	Combined: 2 hours (120 minutes)
General Knowledge & General Awareness	50	50
Quantitative Aptitude	50	50
English Comprehension	50	50
Total	200	200	120 minutes

Marking Scheme

• Correct answer: +1 mark
• Wrong answer: -0.25 mark (25% negative marking)
• Unattempted: 0 marks

Section-Wise Topic Breakdown

General Intelligence & Reasoning:

• Analogies, Classification, Series
• Coding-Decoding, Matrix
• Word Formation, Venn Diagrams
• Direction Sense, Blood Relations
• Mirror/Water Images, Paper Folding
• Non-Verbal Reasoning (figures, patterns)

General Knowledge & General Awareness:

• Current Affairs (last 6-8 months)
• Indian History, Geography, Polity
• Indian Economy basics
• General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
• Books, Authors, Awards, Sports
• Important Dates, Institutions

Quantitative Aptitude:

• Number System, Simplification
• Percentage, Ratio & Proportion
• Profit/Loss, SI/CI
• Time & Work, Time/Speed/Distance
• Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration
• Trigonometry, Data Interpretation

English Comprehension:

• Reading Comprehension
• Fill in the Blanks
• Spellings, Synonyms/Antonyms
• One Word Substitution, Idioms/Phrases
• Sentence Improvement, Error Spotting
• Cloze Test, Para Jumbles

Physical Endurance Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST)

This is where SSC CPO differs fundamentally from other SSC exams. You must be physically fit to clear this stage.

Physical Standard Test (PST) — Measurements

For Male Candidates:

Parameter	General/OBC/SC	ST
Height	170 cm	162.5 cm
Chest (unexpanded)	80 cm	76 cm
Chest (expanded)	85 cm	81 cm

For Female Candidates:

Parameter	General/OBC/SC	ST
Height	157 cm	154 cm

Chest measurement is not applicable for female candidates.

Physical Endurance Test (PET) — Performance Standards

For Male Candidates:

Test	Standard
100 metre race	16 seconds
1.6 km race	6 minutes 30 seconds
Long Jump	3.65 metres (3 chances)
High Jump	1.2 metres (3 chances)
Shot Put (7.26 kg)	4.5 metres (3 chances)

For Female Candidates:

Test	Standard
100 metre race	18 seconds
800 metre race	4 minutes
Long Jump	2.7 metres (3 chances)
High Jump	0.9 metres (3 chances)

These are not optional tests — you must clear each one. Failing any single PET component means elimination, regardless of how well you did in Paper I.

PET Preparation Tips

Start physical training at least 3-4 months before the expected PET date. Here is a practical training schedule:

Week	Running Focus	Strength Focus
Week 1-4	Build stamina — daily 2 km jog	Basic exercises: push-ups, squats
Week 5-8	Increase to 3 km, add sprints	Long jump practice, shot put technique
Week 9-12	Timed runs: 1.6 km under 7 min	High jump practice, full PET simulation
Week 13+	Sharpen speed: 100m sprints	Mock PET with all events back-to-back

The 1.6 km run in 6 minutes 30 seconds is the most failed PET event. Many candidates who are otherwise fit simply have not trained for sustained running pace. Start early and train consistently.

Paper II: Detailed Exam Pattern

Only candidates who clear both Paper I cut-off and PET/PST appear for Paper II.

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language & Comprehension	200	200	120 minutes

Yes, Paper II is entirely English. This is a major strategic consideration — if your English is weak, SSC CPO becomes significantly harder because 50% of your final merit score depends on English ability.

Paper II Topics

• Error Recognition
• Filling in the Blanks (verbs, prepositions, articles)
• Vocabulary — Synonyms, Antonyms, Spelling
• Idioms & Phrases
• One Word Substitution
• Sentence Improvement
• Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech
• Sentence Parts Rearrangement
• Cloze Passage
• Comprehension Passage

Paper II Difficulty Level

Paper II English is noticeably harder than Paper I English. The vocabulary level is higher, comprehension passages are longer, and grammar questions test nuanced usage rather than basic rules. Candidates who rely on "basic English" for CGL/CHSL are often surprised by CPO Paper II difficulty.

Marking Scheme Summary

Paper	Correct	Wrong	Total Marks
Paper I	+1	-0.25	200
Paper II	+1	-0.25	200
Combined Total	400

Final merit is based on the combined Paper I + Paper II score (out of 400).

Post-Wise Differences

Sub Inspector in Delhi Police

• Posting in Delhi
• Armed/Unarmed branches
• Promotion prospects within Delhi Police hierarchy

Sub Inspector in CAPFs (BSF/CISF/CRPF/ITBP/SSB)

• Posting can be anywhere in India, including border areas
• Paramilitary force with different work conditions than state police
• Structured promotion pathway

ASI in CISF

• Posting at CISF establishments (airports, metro, industrial units)
• Lower cut-off than SI posts
• Slightly different physical standards

The cut-off for Delhi Police SI is consistently the highest, followed by CAPF SI, then CISF ASI. Keep this in mind when filling your post preference.

Cut-Off Trends

Year	Paper I Cut-Off (General)	Final Cut-Off (Paper I + II, General)
2022	82.47	244.83
2023	86.14	251.72
2024	89.28	257.63
2025	92.73	264.17

The upward trend continues. To be safe in 2026, target 95+ in Paper I and 170+ in Paper II.

Preparation Strategy

Paper I preparation overlaps heavily with CGL/CHSL. If you are already preparing for other SSC exams, Paper I requires minimal additional effort. Focus on maintaining speed and accuracy across all four sections. Paper II requires dedicated English preparation. Start reading English newspapers, practise vocabulary daily, and solve previous year CPO Paper II papers. The difficulty jump from Paper I English to Paper II English catches many candidates off guard. Physical training is non-negotiable. I cannot stress this enough. Every year, hundreds of candidates who clear Paper I fail the PET. Do not let months of study preparation go to waste because you neglected your fitness. Medical standards are also strict. Near-perfect or corrected vision is required. Flat feet, colour blindness, and certain other conditions are disqualifying. Get a preliminary medical check-up done early in your preparation.

For SSC CPO notification dates, admit card releases, and detailed cut-off analysis, visit sarkarinaukri.in. This exam rewards candidates who prepare holistically — academic, physical, and medical readiness together.