SSC CPO 2026 syllabus: section-wise topics for every stage
Paper 1 screens candidates on reasoning, general knowledge, quantitative aptitude and English comprehension. Paper 2 is the merit-deciding paper and is English heavy. The physical tests sit between the two papers.
✓ Data verified 6 Oct 2026
The topic lists follow the broad areas SSC publishes in its notice. SSC does not give a chapter-wise list, so use these as a checklist and treat the questions asked in the past papers as the guide to depth.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Paper 1 and Paper 2- Analogy and classification (semantic, number and figural)
- Series: number, letter and figure
- Coding and decoding, mathematical operations, number puzzles
- Venn diagrams, syllogism, drawing inferences
- Direction sense, blood relations, ranking and order, calendar and clock
- Non-verbal: paper folding and cutting, embedded figures, pattern completion, mirror and water images, counting figures
- Problem solving, arithmetical reasoning, matrix and word building
General Intelligence & Reasoning notes and practice · 20 topics
General Knowledge and General Awareness
Paper 1 and Paper 2- Current events of national and international importance
- India and its neighbours: history, culture, geography, economic scene, polity
- Sports, awards, books and authors, important days
- General science as seen in everyday life and research
- Static GK: first in India, organisations, schemes, national parks and similar fact tables
General Awareness notes and practice · 14 topics
Quantitative Aptitude
Paper 1 and Paper 2- Number system: whole numbers, decimals and fractions, relationship between numbers, square roots
- Percentages, ratio and proportion, averages
- Interest (simple and compound), profit and loss, discount, partnership
- Mixture and alligation, time and distance, time and work
- Basic algebra: identities and linear equations, elementary surds
- Geometry: triangles and their centres, congruence and similarity, circles, chords and tangents, quadrilaterals and polygons
- Mensuration: triangle, circle, cone, cylinder, sphere, hemisphere, cuboid, prism, pyramid
- Trigonometry: ratios, standard identities, complementary angles, heights and distances
- Statistical charts: histogram, frequency polygon, bar diagram, pie chart
Quantitative Aptitude notes and practice · 23 topics
English Comprehension and Language
Paper 1 and Paper 2- Spot the error, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement
- Synonyms and antonyms, spellings, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases
- Active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, shuffling of sentence parts
- Cloze test and reading comprehension
- Paper 2 carries most of its marks in English, so vocabulary and grammar practice carries over directly to the merit stage
English Comprehension notes and practice · 14 topics
Physical tests and medical
Between and after the papers- Physical standard test (height and chest) and physical endurance test (race, jumps, shot put) with separate standards for men and women
- Detailed medical examination and document verification
For the number of questions, marks, timing and negative marking of each stage, see the SSC CPO exam pattern.
SSC CPO syllabus: FAQs
What is the SSC CPO syllabus?
General Intelligence and Reasoning (Paper 1 and Paper 2); General Knowledge and General Awareness (Paper 1 and Paper 2); Quantitative Aptitude (Paper 1 and Paper 2); English Comprehension and Language (Paper 1 and Paper 2); Physical tests and medical (Between and after the papers). Paper 1 screens candidates on reasoning, general knowledge, quantitative aptitude and English comprehension. Paper 2 is the merit-deciding paper and is English heavy. The physical tests sit between the two papers.
Where is the official SSC CPO syllabus published?
The conducting body is Staff Selection Commission (SSC). The syllabus and pattern are given in the official notification for each cycle, so check that notice before you finalise your plan.