SSC CPO, CRPF and state police
4
Exams
185
Tests
Police exam guide
Police recruitment happens at two levels: central armed police forces (CAPF) such as CRPF, BSF, CISF and Delhi Police recruit through SSC and their own boards, while each state recruits constables and sub-inspectors through its police recruitment board.
Every police exam combines a written test with physical tests. The written exam gets you shortlisted, but the physical efficiency and standard tests are pass-or-fail — many candidates clear the written test and fail the run.
How it works
An objective test on reasoning, general knowledge, numerical ability and language.
Height, chest (for men) and weight measurements against the notified standards.
Timed running, plus long jump, high jump or shot put depending on the force and post.
Eligibility documents are checked and a detailed medical examination is conducted.
Usually decided by written exam marks among candidates who qualify the physical and medical stages.
Exam pattern
Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and in CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) — a graduate-level entry.
Paper I
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
| Total · 2 hr | 200 | 200 |
−0.25 per wrong answer. Followed by PST/PET, Paper II (English, 200 marks, 2 hr) and a medical examination.
Constable (Executive) in Delhi Police, recruited through SSC.
Computer-based exam
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge / Current Affairs | 50 | 50 |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| Numerical Ability | 15 | 15 |
| Computer Fundamentals, MS Office, Internet | 10 | 10 |
| Total · 90 min | 100 | 100 |
−0.25 per wrong answer. Followed by Physical Endurance & Measurement Test (PE&MT) and medical.
Constable (Civil Police) in Uttar Pradesh, recruited by UPPRPB — one of the biggest police recruitments in India.
Written exam
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 38 | 76 |
| General Hindi | 37 | 74 |
| Numerical & Mental Ability | 38 | 76 |
| Mental Aptitude, IQ & Reasoning | 37 | 74 |
| Total · 2 hr | 150 | 300 |
−0.50 per wrong answer. Followed by document verification, PST and PET (timed run).
Syllabus
Strategy
PET is pass-or-fail and cannot be crammed. Build running stamina over months, not weeks.
Height and chest requirements are strict and vary by state, gender and category. Confirm you meet them before applying.
In Delhi Police, half the paper is GK and current affairs. Daily current affairs and static GK revision is essential.
State police exams ask about the state's history, geography, culture and schemes. Add a state GK book.
From the blog
FAQs
It varies by force, post and gender — for example, Delhi Police constable has a timed 1,600 m run for men. Always check the notification for exact distances and times.
Usually yes — 0.25 marks per wrong answer in SSC CPO and Delhi Police, and 0.50 in UP Police constable.
Many states restrict constable recruitment to their domicile holders or give preference to them. Read the eligibility rules carefully.
In most police recruitments, yes — the final merit is based on written marks among candidates who qualify the physical and medical tests.
Exam patterns, marks and eligibility are based on the latest notifications available and can change from one cycle to the next. Always confirm the details in the official notification on ssc.gov.in before you apply.
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