SSC CPO 2026 Exam Date: Check Paper 1 Date, vacancies, Steps to Apply Here

The Staff Selection Commission has proposed November 20 to 28, 2026 for SSC CPO 2026 Paper 1, the first stage of the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2026. The dates come from the commission’s official notice of October 1, 2026 and are listed as “proposed”, so candidates should watch the website for any change.

With the SSC CPO exam date 2026 about 34 days away, applicants who completed their form can now plan their last month of preparation. The exam is computer-based and covers 1,871 SI vacancies.

SSC CPO 2026 Exam Schedule and Important Dates

The application stage is over, so the exam date is the next date that matters. The commission has announced dates only for Paper 1 so far, and the dates for the physical test and Paper 2 will be notified later.

Candidates should keep the dates below in mind while they prepare.

When Will SSC CPO 2026 Exam City Slip and Admit Card Be Released?

As per the official notification, the exam city and centre details are uploaded on the regional office websites about 10 days before the exam. Admit certificates are available to download 2 to 3 days before the exam. For a candidate whose exam falls on the first day, this points to around November 10 for the city details and November 17 to 18 for the admit card, but the exact date depends on each candidate’s shift.

Candidates who cannot find their details one week before the exam must contact their regional SSC office at once with proof of application. Admit cards are not sent by post.

SSC CPO 2026 Paper 1 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Paper 1 is a one-hour computer-based test with four parts. Each part has its own 15-minute timer, so time cannot be moved from one section to another. The notice sets these rules.

Each wrong answer carries a penalty of 0.25 marks. Parts I to III are set in Hindi and English. The minimum qualifying marks are 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for all other categories. These marks decide who is shortlisted for the physical tests. NCC certificate holders get bonus marks of 2% to 5% of the maximum marks.

Documents Required for SSC CPO 2026 Paper 1 Exam

Every candidate must carry a printout of the admit certificate. The other documents depend on whether the candidate completed Aadhaar-based authentication during registration.

Candidates who used Aadhaar authentication do not need to carry photographs or original photo ID to the venue. All other candidates must report two hours before the exam and carry the following:

• Two recent passport-size colour photographs
• An original valid photo ID with date of birth, such as a voter ID, driving licence, PAN card, passport, school or college ID, or government employer ID
• An extra document showing date of birth, such as a Class 10 certificate, if the photo ID does not show it

A mismatch between the date of birth on the admit card and the ID can lead to denial of entry. Candidates should also look the same as in the photograph taken in the application form.

How to Prepare in the Last 34 Days Before SSC CPO 2026 Paper 1?

Candidates can use the pattern to plan these final weeks. Since each section has its own timer, practice should follow the same limits.

1. Take full mocks with a 15-minute limit per section, as 25 questions in 15 minutes leaves about 36 seconds each.
2. Skip questions you are unsure of, because every wrong answer costs 0.25 marks.
3. Keep up your running and jump practice, as the physical test follows Paper 1.
4. Start building English skills early, since Paper 2 gives English 100 of its 160 questions.
5. Revise current affairs for the General Awareness section every week.

SSC CPO 2026 Exam Date FAQs