SSC CPO Exam pattern 2026
Stages, sections, marks, duration and negative marking.
Updated 22 October 2026
SSC CPO exam pattern 2026
The SSC CPO exam pattern 2026 has four stages: Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II and the Detailed Medical Examination. The 2026 notice (released 10-09-2026) cut Paper-I down to 100 marks and turned Paper-II into a 320-mark, four-subject paper with stiffer negative marking, so older pattern guides are now out of date.
Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Stages | Paper-I → PST/PET → Paper-II → Detailed Medical Examination |
| Paper-I mode | Online, in Hindi and English |
| Paper-II mode | Online; Parts I–III bilingual, Part IV in English only |
| Negative marking | 0.25 per wrong answer (Paper-I); 0.50 per wrong answer (Paper-II) |
| Final merit | Paper-I + Paper-II marks |
SSC CPO Paper-I exam pattern
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| II | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- Duration: 1 hour, with a fixed 15-minute timer for each part – unused time cannot be carried to another part.
- Marking: +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for a wrong one, nothing for an unattempted question.
- Clearing Paper-I is required to reach the physical tests.
SSC CPO Paper-II exam pattern
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| II | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 40 |
| IV | English Comprehension | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 160 | 320 |
- Parts I, II and III share one hour, with a 20-minute timer each.
- Part IV (English) runs in its own separate 1-hour slot.
- Each question carries 2 marks; 0.50 is deducted for every wrong answer.
- Paper-II is harder than Paper-I, and its marks are added to Paper-I for the final merit list.
What changed from the previous cycle
| Area | Previous cycle (2025-26) | Current cycle (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | 200 questions, 200 marks (50 per section) | 100 questions, 100 marks (25 per section) |
| Paper-II | 200 questions, 200 marks, English only | 160 questions, 320 marks across four parts |
| Paper-II subjects | English Language and Comprehension | Reasoning, GK, Quant and English |
| Paper-II negative marking | 0.25 | 0.50 |
In short, Paper-I now carries half its old weight, and Paper-II is no longer an English-only paper: 120 of its marks now come from reasoning, GK and maths. The topic list for each subject is on the SSC CPO syllabus page.
Selection process
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Paper-I | Computer-based test in four subjects |
| 2. PST/PET | Paper-I qualifiers take the physical standard and endurance tests |
| 3. Paper-II | Physically qualified candidates take the restructured Paper-II |
| 4. Medical exam | Paper-II qualifiers undergo the Detailed Medical Examination |
SSC CPO PST/PET
The physical tests sit between the two papers. They are qualifying only and the standards are the same as in earlier cycles.
| Event | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100 m race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| Distance run | 1.6 km in 6.5 minutes | 800 m in 4 minutes |
| Long jump | 3.65 m (3 chances) | 2.7 m (3 chances) |
| High jump | 1.2 m (3 chances) | 0.9 m (3 chances) |
| Shot put (16 lbs) | 4.5 m (3 chances) | Not applicable |
Ex-Servicemen do not take the PET, but they must still clear the PST and the medical exam. Height and chest standards are listed under SSC CPO eligibility.
Detailed Medical Examination
- Eyesight (without glasses): near vision N6 in the better eye and N9 in the worse eye; distant vision 6/6 and 6/9.
- Disqualifying conditions: knock knees, flat feet, varicose veins or a squint; high colour vision is required.
- Tattoos: allowed only at the permitted traditional places, such as the inner forearm, and only religious symbols, figures or names as the notice allows.
- A review medical exam is available if you disagree with the first result.
How to use the pattern in your preparation
| Stage | Focus |
|---|---|
| Paper-I | Practise sectional mocks with a strict 15-minute clock |
| Paper-II Reasoning, GK, Quant | Do not drop them – 120 marks now depend on these parts |
| Paper-II English | Still the heaviest single part at 200 marks, so reading speed matters |
| PST/PET | Start physical training early; the standards are not relaxed |
A full study plan is on SSC CPO preparation tips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SSC CPO exam pattern for 2026?
It has four stages: Paper-I, PST/PET, Paper-II and the Detailed Medical Examination. You must qualify each stage to move to the next.
How many questions are there in SSC CPO Paper-I 2026?
Paper-I has 100 questions for 100 marks, with 25 questions each from reasoning, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and English. It lasts one hour with a 15-minute timer per part.
What is the negative marking in SSC CPO 2026?
Paper-I deducts 0.25 marks for each wrong answer and Paper-II deducts 0.50 marks. Unattempted questions are not penalised in either paper.
Is SSC CPO Paper-II only English now?
No. From 2026, Paper-II has 160 questions for 320 marks across reasoning, GK, quant and English. English is still the largest part, with 100 questions worth 200 marks.
Does the PST/PET carry marks in SSC CPO?
No. The physical tests are qualifying only and do not add to your merit score, but you must pass them to sit Paper-II.
Always check the latest official notification on ssc.gov.in before applying.