SSC CPO Age Limit 2026: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has opened the Sub-Inspector recruitment for Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces through SSC CPO 2026. For the regular Sub-Inspector posts, the age limit is 20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026. The newly included Sub-Inspector (Fire) in CISF has a separate age limit of 18 to 30 years.
SSC CPO 2026 carries 1,871 tentative vacancies. Online applications are scheduled from 10 September to 30 September 2026, while the examination date will be announced by SSC. This guide focuses on the age cutoff, DOB range, category-wise relaxation, qualifications and the current application schedule.
SSC CPO Age Limit 2026
| Post category | Minimum age | Maximum age | Age reckoning date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SI in Delhi Police / SI in CAPFs | 20 years | 25 years | 1 August 2026 |
| SI (Fire) in CISF | 18 years | 30 years | 1 August 2026 |
The 20–25 years rule applies to the Delhi Police and CAPF Sub-Inspector posts covered by the standard SSC CPO eligibility conditions. SI (Fire) in CISF is a separate post with its own 18–30 years age range and qualification requirements.
SSC CPO DOB Cutoff 2026
| Post | Eligible date of birth range |
|---|---|
| Delhi Police / CAPF SI | 2 August 2001 to 1 August 2006 |
| CISF SI (Fire) | 2 August 1996 to 1 August 2008 |
These DOB ranges correspond to the basic age limits as on 1 August 2026. Candidates claiming an upper-age relaxation should apply the applicable concession under the notification and retain the prescribed supporting documents.
SSC CPO Age Relaxation 2026
| Category / status | Upper-age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service, as prescribed |
| Widows / divorced women / women judicially separated and not remarried — applicable Delhi Police SI categories | Up to 35 years |
| Same women categories belonging to SC/ST — applicable Delhi Police SI categories | Up to 40 years |
| Delhi Police departmental candidates, UR/EWS, with required service | Up to 30 years |
| Delhi Police departmental candidates, OBC, with required service | Up to 33 years |
| Delhi Police departmental candidates, SC/ST, with required service | Up to 35 years |
The special women and departmental provisions apply to the Delhi Police SI categories for which the notification specifies them. Candidates should not automatically extend these concessions to CAPF posts or to CISF SI (Fire).
SSC CPO Vacancy 2026
SSC has announced 1,871 tentative Sub-Inspector vacancies for the 2026 examination. The recruitment covers Sub-Inspector (Executive) in Delhi Police, Sub-Inspector (GD) in the CAPFs and the new CISF SI (Fire) stream.
| Recruitment stream | Vacancy status |
|---|---|
| Delhi Police SI (Executive) | Included in the 2026 vacancy list |
| CAPF SI (GD) | Included in the 2026 vacancy list |
| CISF SI (Fire) | Included in the 2026 vacancy list with separate age/qualification rules |
| Total | 1,871 tentative vacancies |
Educational Qualification
For Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI posts, candidates generally need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Male candidates applying for Delhi Police SI (Executive) must also possess a valid LMV driving licence by the prescribed PE&MT stage.
For CISF SI (Fire), the notification specifies a separate science/engineering qualification route, including the prescribed Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics degree or the specified three-year engineering diploma.
SSC CPO 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date / status |
|---|---|
| Notification release | 10 September 2026 |
| Online application starts | 10 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 30 September 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Last date for fee payment | 1 October 2026, 11:00 PM |
| Application correction window | 8–10 October 2026 |
| SSC CPO examination | To be notified |
SSC CPO Selection Process
- Paper-I computer-based examination.
- Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET) for shortlisted candidates.
- Paper-II computer-based examination.
- Detailed Medical Examination and subsequent document/eligibility checks as prescribed.
Documents for Age Verification
- Matriculation or Secondary Examination certificate showing date of birth.
- Valid SC/ST/OBC certificate where age relaxation is claimed.
- Ex-Servicemen service documents where applicable.
- Delhi Police departmental service documents for candidates using the departmental age provision.
- Relevant documents for the special women-category concession, where applicable.
SSC CPO Age Limit 2026: Important Points
- The standard SSC CPO age limit is 20–25 years as on 1 August 2026.
- The basic DOB window for standard SI posts is 2 August 2001 to 1 August 2006.
- CISF SI (Fire) has a separate 18–30 years age limit.
- SC/ST candidates receive 5 years and OBC candidates 3 years of upper-age relaxation under the applicable rules.
- Additional special provisions apply to eligible ex-servicemen, specified Delhi Police departmental candidates and certain women applicants for Delhi Police SI.
- The 2026 recruitment lists 1,871 tentative vacancies.
- Applications close on 30 September 2026 at 11 PM, with fee payment available through 1 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SSC CPO age limit in 2026?
For Delhi Police SI and CAPF SI posts, the basic age limit is 20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026.
What is the SSC CPO DOB cutoff?
For standard SI posts, candidates should have been born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006, before applying any applicable relaxation.
What is the age limit for CISF SI Fire?
The CISF Sub-Inspector (Fire) post has a separate age limit of 18 to 30 years as on 1 August 2026.
How many vacancies are available in SSC CPO 2026?
SSC has listed 1,871 tentative vacancies for the 2026 Sub-Inspector recruitment.
What is the last date to apply for SSC CPO 2026?
The online application deadline is 30 September 2026 at 11:00 PM. The fee-payment deadline is 1 October 2026 at 11:00 PM.
Official Source
Check the Staff Selection Commission for the SSC CPO 2026 notice, application portal, corrigenda and examination updates.
