Students preparing for the SSC CPO 2025 exam, understanding the exam pattern and syllabus is the first step to success. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Central Police Organization (CPO) exam to recruit Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police, CAPFs, and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in CISF. in this article we will see into details of everything from paper structure to marking scheme. Let’s see into details:
Key Highlights
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | SSC CPO (Central Police Organization) |
| Posts Offered | Sub-Inspector (Delhi Police, CAPFs), ASI (CISF) |
| Exam Stages | Paper 1, Physical Test, Paper 2 |
| Paper 1 Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Paper 2 Mode | Descriptive (Offline) |
| Total Marks | 200 (Paper 1), 200 (Paper 2) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Official Website | ssc.nic.in |
Exam Pattern
The SSC CPO selection process consists of three stages:
- Paper 1 (Computer-Based Test – CBT)
- Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Paper 2 (Descriptive Test)
Let’s look at each stage in detail.
1. SSC CPO Paper 1 Exam Pattern
The first stage is an online objective test with four sections. Here’s the structure:
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| General Knowledge | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Important Notes:
- Negative marking applies (0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer).
- The exam is conducted in multiple shifts.
- You need to score minimum qualifying marks in each section.
2. Physical Standard Test (PST) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Candidates who clear Paper 1 must undergo PST/PET. The requirements vary for male and female candidates:
Physical Standards (Height & Chest)
| Category | Height (Male) | Height (Female) | Chest (Male Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80-85 cm (Expansion: 5 cm) |
| SC/ST | 162.5 cm | 150 cm | 76-81 cm (Expansion: 5 cm) |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Test | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Race | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes |
| Long Jump | 3.8 m | 2.7 m |
| High Jump | 1.2 m | 0.9 m |
3. SSC CPO Paper 2 (Descriptive Test)
Candidates who qualify Paper 1 & PST/PET appear for Paper 2, which tests English writing skills.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Pen & Paper (Offline) |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Topics | Essay (200 words), Letter/Application (150 words) |
Syllabus Subject-Wise Topics
To crack the exam, you must know the detailed syllabus. Here’s a breakdown:
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
| Topic | Important Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Analogy, Classification, Series |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Pattern Completion, Figure Analysis |
| Logical Reasoning | Syllogism, Statement & Conclusions |
2. General Knowledge
| Topic | Important Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | National & International News |
| History | Indian Freedom Struggle, Ancient & Medieval India |
| Geography | Physical & Economic Geography |
3. Quantitative Aptitude
| Topic | Important Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentage, Profit & Loss |
| Algebra | Quadratic Equations, Linear Equations |
| Geometry | Triangles, Circles, Mensuration |
4. English Comprehension
| Topic | Important Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Tenses, Prepositions, Articles |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms |
| Comprehension | Passage-based Questions |
Preparation Tips
Based on my 4 years of experience in content creation for competitive exams, here are some tested strategies:
1. Focus on Weak Areas First
- Identify weak topics using previous year papers.
- Spend extra time on Quantitative Aptitude if calculations slow you down.
2. Follow a Strict Study Plan
| Day | Morning (2 hrs) | Evening (2 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Reasoning Practice | GK Current Affairs |
| Tuesday | Maths Problems | English Grammar |
3. Solve Previous Year Papers
- At least 10 past papers before the exam.
- Analyze mistakes to avoid repetition.
4. Improve Speed & Accuracy
- Use shortcut tricks for Maths.
- Take mock tests under timed conditions.
Final Thoughts
The SSC CPO exam pattern 2025 is designed to test both mental and physical abilities. By mastering the syllabus, practicing regularly, and staying updated with current affairs, you can crack the exam with a high rank.
