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    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Check Age Limit, Qualification & Physical Standards

    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Check Age Limit, Qualification & Physical Standards

    Vishnukumar VUpdated on 21 Jan 2026, 03:00 PM IST

    The Staff Selection Commission prescribes the SSC CPO 2026 eligibility criteria online in the official notification. Candidates can download the SSC CPO notification 2026 at ssc.gov.in. The SSC CPO eligibility criteria stipulate what is required of candidates attempting the SSC CPO exam. The SSC CPO eligibility criteria 2026 take into account a candidate’s age limit, academic qualification and nationality. Its important for those looking to attempt the exam to check the eligibility criteria of SSC CPO 2026 and see if they are sufficiently qualified before filling out the SSC CPO application form.

    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Check Age Limit, Qualification & Physical Standards
    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria

    SSC CPO Important Dates 2026

    The conducting authority will release the important dates of SSC CPO 2026. Candidates can check the important dates along with the SSC CPO exam dates 2026 in the table below and keep tracking the important dates so that major events will not get missed.

    SSC CPO 2026 Exam Dates

    Events

    Dates

    SSC CPO notification 2026

    To be announced

    SSC CPO 2026 application form dates

    To be announced

    SSC CPO 2026 exam dates

    To be announced

    SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria

    Candidates can fill the application form only if they meet the SSC CPO eligibility criteria 2026 on the basis of the following four factors:

    • Nationality

    • Age

    • SSC CPO Qualification

    • SSC CPO Physical Eligibility

    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Nationality

    As per the eligibility criteria of SSC CPO 2026, Candidates must have the following nationality that is mentioned below.

    1. Indian Citizenship

    2. Citizen of Nepal

    3. Citizen of Bhutan

    4. Before January 1, 1962, Tibetan refugees arrived in India with the intention of settling permanently.

    5. Persons of Indian origin who migrated to India from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.

    Candidates must have to produce the required certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026- Age Limit

    Candidates must be between the ages of 20 and 25 to be considered for the exam. SSC CPO age relaxation will be provided for the candidates from the reserved category. The following table shows the upper age relaxation for each group based on SSC CPO 2026 eligibility:

    Upper age relaxation as per the SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria

    Code No.

    Category

    Upper Age-Relaxation beyond age limit as prescribed

    1

    SC/ ST

    5 years

    2

    OBC

    3 years

    3

    Ex-servicemen (ExS)

    3 years


    For Group B posts


    (i)

    Central Government Employees who have served for more than 3 years

    5 years.

    (ii)

    Central Government Civilian Employees (SC/ ST) who have served for more than 3 years of regular service

    10 (5+5) years.


    For ASI in CISF

    (i)

    Central Govt. Employees who have worked for more than 3 years of regular service

    Up to 40 years of age

    (ii)

    Central Govt. Employees (SC/ ST) who have worked for more than 3 years of regular service

    Up to 45 years of age


    Candidates who belong to the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from 1st

    January 1980 to 31st December 1989.

    5 years


    For Group C posts


    Widows/ DivorcedWomen/Women judicially separated and who

    are not remarried.

    Up to 35 years of age


    (ii) SC/ST Widows/ Divorced Women/

    Women judicially separated and who are not remarried

    Up to 40 years of age


    Departmental Candidates for vacancies in Delhi Police only

    (i)

    Departmental Candidates (General) who have worked for more than 3 years of regular service

    Up to 30 years of age

    (ii)

    OB Departmental Candidates who have worked more than 3 years of regular service

    Up to 33 years of age

    (iii)

    SC/ST Departmental Candidates who have worked for more than 3 years of regular service

    Up to 35 years of age

    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Academic Qualification

    Candidates must have graduated from a recognised university or have a degree equal to graduation to be eligible for SSC CPO 2026. Candidates in their final year of college can apply for SSC CPO, but they must have a valid Certificate of Graduation before being considered for final recruitment. To meet the SSC CPO eligibility requirements 2026, candidates applying for SI in Delhi Police must have a valid Driving Licence for LMV (Motorcycle and Car) during Physical Endurance and Measurement Tests.

    Note: Candidates who have applied for other posts in CAPFs will be able to appear for the exam without a driving license.

    SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Physical Standards

    The physical standards mandated by SSC is provided in the table below:

    Physical standards

    Category

    Height (in cms)

    Chest (in cms)

    Unexpanded

    Expanded

    Male candidates

    General category

    170

    80

    85

    Aspirants from hilly areas of the North-Eastern States and Sikkim, areas like Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas

    165

    80

    85

    ST

    162.5

    77

    82

    Female candidates

    General categories

    157

    -

    -

    Candidates belonging to hilly areas of Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, Leh & Ladakh regions of Jammu & Kashmir, North-Eastern States and Sikkim

    155

    -

    -

    Scheduled Tribe

    154

    -

    -


    Also Read:

    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Body Tattoo Policy

    SSC provides leverage for candidates having tattoos. However, the authority provides certain parameters for the tattoos too. Check below the parameters that need to be followed while having tattoos.

    As per the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility criteria, tattoos will be allowed only if -

    • The tattoo may represent religious symbols or figures, and the name can be used in the same way as in the Indian Army.

    • The tattoo must be on the inner aspect of the forearm, but only on the left forearm, and it must be on a non-saluting limb or the dorsum of the hands.

    • The tattoo must be less than a quarter of the size of the Elbow or Wrist, or wherever the tattoo is placed.

    SSC CPO Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Important Points

    • Don't confuse the eligibility criteria for SSC SI and SSC CPO because SSC CPO is also known as SSC SI.

    • The applicant should be between the ages of 20 and 25.

    • According to the SSC CPO 2026 eligibility criteria, SC/ST candidates receive a 5-year age relaxation, while OBC and Ex-Servicemen candidates receive a 3-year age relaxation.

    • Any graduate may apply for the CPO test, according to the SSC CPO eligibility criteria 2026.

    • The SSC CPO exam is divided into four stages, with candidates who pass one stage being qualified to take the next stage.

    SSC CPO Application Form 2026

    The Commission will release the application form of SSC CPO 2026 on the official website. The SSC CPO 2026 application form will be released in online mode only. It is compulsory to check each aspect of SSC CPO eligibility before applying for the SSC CPO 2026 exam. Aspirants need to be ready with all the essential details such as personal, contact, academic, and bank details to avoid any trouble. The general category needs to pay the application fees of Rs.100 whereas candidates from the reserved category and female candidates are exempted from paying the fees. Candidates who successfully apply will be issued the admit card of SSC CPO.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Can I appear for the SSC CPO 2026 exam if I have exceeded the age limit by three days?
    A:

    No, you would not be allowed to fill out the SSC CPO 2026 application form if you do not meet the age requirement. According to the SSC CPO eligibility criteria for 2026, you must be under 25 years old.

    Q: What is the lower age limit for appearing in the SSC CPO exam?
    A:

    As per SSC CPO eligibility criteria, the lower age limit is the 20 years.

    Q: Will I be given any age relaxations on the upper age limit if I belong to the EWS category?
    A:

    No, candidates in the general and EWS categories would only have to be between the ages of 20 and 30 years. You will not be granted age relief for becoming an EWS nominee.

    Q: Is the eligibility criteria of SSC CPO and SSC SI different?
    A:

    No, SSC CPO and SSC SI are the same exam.

    Q: Can I have tattoos while applying for SSC CPO?
    A:

    Yes, candidates can have tattoos but they need to follow certain parameters.

    Q: I am from the general category and my height is 165 cm. Can I apply for SSC CPO 2026?
    A:

    No, general category male candidates need to have 170 cm in height in order to apply for SSC CPO 2026.

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    Questions related to SSC CPO

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to SSC CPO ?

    Choosing basic math in class 10th will likely not affect your eligibility for most SSC exams, other state services exams, and UPSC as long as you meet the specific math requirement for the desired post.

    Many SSC exams, like SSC CGL or CHSL, have a minimum educational qualification requirement that

    Hii There,

    In this case, since you completed your graduation in 2022, you should mention the passing year as 2022 in your exam forms or SSC CPO application. The passing year refers to the year in which you completed your degree, not the year in which you cleared any backlog

    Correct Answer: has been sold


    Solution : The correct choice is the third option.

    Explanation: The phrase "the land has been sold" is in the present perfect tense. In the context of the passage, this tense is suitable because it conveys a connection between a past action (the sale

    Correct Answer: $123^{\circ}$


    Solution :
    E, F, G, and H form a cyclic quadrilateral.
    $\angle {FGH}=57^{\circ}$
    In a cyclic quadrilateral, the sum of opposite angles is 180$^\circ$.
    So, $\angle {FGH} + \angle {HEF} = 180^\circ$
    ⇒ $57^{\circ} + \angle {HEF} = 180^\circ$
    ⇒ $\angle {HEF} = 180^\circ- 57^{\circ} = 123^\circ$

    Correct Answer: transpiration


    Solution : The correct option is transpiration.

    Plant wilting is generally caused by excessive transpiration. Transpiration is the mechanism by which plants remove water vapour through tiny pores called stomata in their leaves. When transpiration rates surpass the plant's ability to absorb water from the soil via