SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Height & Physical Standards

INTRODUCTION

Planning to join the elite forces as a Sub-Inspector in 2026? Navigating the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria is your first and most crucial step toward a career in the Delhi Police or Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Unlike many other graduate-level exams, the Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organization (SSC CPO) exam has stringent physical and medical requirements that are just as vital as your academic score.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down every aspect of the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria, from age relaxations to specific height and chest measurements for both male and female candidates.

Overview of SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The Staff Selection Commission sets specific benchmarks to ensure that the candidates selected for the Sub-Inspector (SI) posts are physically robust and academically sound. For the 2026 recruitment cycle, the eligibility parameters are broadly divided into four categories:

1. Nationality/Citizenship

2. Age Limit (as of August 1, 2026)

3. Educational Qualification

4. Physical and Medical Standards

1. Nationality Requirements

To be eligible for the SSC CPO 2026 exam, a candidate must be:

• A citizen of India, or

• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or

• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement.

SSC CPO 2026 Age Limit and Relaxations

For most aspirants, the age bracket is the first hurdle. The SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria specifies that the crucial date for age reckoning is expected to be August 1, 2026.

• Minimum Age: 20 years

• Maximum Age: 25 years

This means candidates must generally be born between August 2, 2001, and August 1, 2006.

Category-wise Age Relaxation

The government provides significant age relaxations for reserved categories, departmental candidates, and special cases:

Category	Age Relaxation	Upper Age Limit (Approx.)
SC / ST	5 Years	30 Years
OBC	3 Years	28 Years
Ex-Servicemen (ESM)	3 Years (after service deduction)	Varies
Widows/Divorced Women (General)	Up to 35 Years	35 Years
Departmental Candidates (Delhi Police)	Up to 30 Years (General)	30 Years

If you are looking for detailed guidance on how to start your preparation based on these age limits, check out the resources at collegesimplified.in to find the best coaching and study paths for 2026.

Educational Qualification for SSC CPO 2026

The academic requirement for the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria is straightforward but strict regarding the "Cut-off Date."

• Degree Required: A Bachelor’s degree in any stream (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, etc.) from a recognized university or equivalent.

• Crucial Date: You must have passed your degree on or before August 1, 2026.

• Special Requirement for Delhi Police (Male): Male candidates aspiring for the SI in Delhi Police post must possess a valid Driving License for LMV (Motorcycle and Car) on the date of the Physical Endurance Test (PET). If you do not have a license, you will only be considered for CAPF posts (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB).

SSC CPO 2026 Physical Standards (PST)

Passing the written exam is only half the battle. The Physical Standard Test (PST) is a mandatory qualifying round.

Male Candidates: Height & Chest Measurements

Category	Height (cm)	Chest (Unexpanded)	Chest (Expanded)
General / OBC / SC	170	80 cm	85 cm
Hill Areas (Garhwal, Kumaon, etc.)	165	80 cm	85 cm
Scheduled Tribes (ST)	162.5	77 cm	82 cm

Female Candidates: Height Measurements

Category	Height (cm)
General / OBC / SC	157
Hill Areas	155
Scheduled Tribes (ST)	154

Physical Endurance Test (PET) 2026

If you meet the height and chest requirements, you must then clear the PET. This stage is qualifying in nature—no marks are added to the final merit, but failing here ends your journey.

For Male Candidates:

• 100-meter race: 16 seconds

• 1.6 km race: 6.5 minutes

• Long Jump: 3.65 meters (3 chances)

• High Jump: 1.2 meters (3 chances)

• Shot Put (16 Lbs): 4.5 meters (3 chances)

For Female Candidates:

• 100-meter race: 18 seconds

• 800-meter race: 4 minutes

• Long Jump: 2.7 meters (3 chances)

• High Jump: 0.9 meters (3 chances)

SSC CPO 2026 Medical Standards

The final step in the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria is the Detailed Medical Examination (DME). The forces require high physical and mental alertness.

• Eyesight: Minimum distant vision should be $6/6$ (better eye) and $6/9$ (worse eye) without correction (no glasses/surgery).

• Physical Defects: Candidates must not have knock-knees, flat feet, varicose veins, or a squint in the eyes.

• Tattoos: Tattoos are allowed only if they are of religious significance, on the inner aspect of the forearm (left), and less than $1/4$ of the particular body part.

Interested in other government exams? Explore our detailed breakdown of the SSC CGL 2026 Exam Pattern to see how it compares to CPO.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the maximum age for SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria for General category?

A1. The maximum age for the General category under the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria is 25 years. Candidates must not be born earlier than August 2, 2001.

Q2. Is a Driving License mandatory for all posts in SSC CPO 2026?

A2. No. According to the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria, a valid LMV Driving License is only mandatory for male candidates applying for the Sub-Inspector post in Delhi Police. It is not required for CAPF posts or for female candidates.

Q3. Can final-year students apply for SSC CPO 2026?

A3. Yes, provided they can produce their final degree or mark sheet showing they passed by the cut-off date (expected August 1, 2026) mentioned in the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria.

Q4. What is the height requirement for females in the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria?

A4. The standard height requirement for female candidates is 157 cm. However, under the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria, relaxations are available for ST candidates (154 cm) and those from hill areas (155 cm).

Q5. Are candidates with Lasik surgery eligible under SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria?

A5. Generally, the SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria for medicals requires $6/6$ and $6/9$ vision without any correction. Lasik is usually a ground for disqualification if detected during the intensive eye check-up.

Conclusion

The SSC CPO 2026 Eligibility Criteria is designed to select the most capable individuals for India's internal security. Whether it’s the 170 cm height requirement for males or the graduation cut-off date, every detail matters. Ensure you start your physical training alongside your written prep to meet these rigorous standards.

For more updates on exam dates, syllabus changes, and career counseling for 2026, stay tuned to collegesimplified.in.