Every year, the Selection Staff Commission conducts the SSC CPO (Central Police Organisations) exam to recruit candidates for the post of sub-inspector in either Delhi Police, CISF, CRPF, BSF, ITBPF, or the SSB department in CPO. The post of sub-inspector is one of the most prestigious jobs in the country. Many candidates aspire to become sub-inspectors to work for the betterment of the country. 

The roles and responsibilities of the sub-inspector vary with each department, as follows –

● Delhi Police – As a sub-inspector of Delhi Police, candidates are required to maintain or improve law and order in Delhi, and can search a person, their vehicle and premises, arrest with or without a warrant, register an FIR against someone, and investigate various cases of Indian penal codes, special laws passed by parliament as well as local state laws. 

● Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) – The security of commercial airports in India is under the control of CISF. A sub-inspector of CISF is responsible for protecting government infrastructure projects and industrial units, providing security to various PSU’s and other important infrastructures, security on Delhi Metro, and protection against fire hazards. 

● Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) – As sub-inspector of ITBP, candidates are responsible for protecting the Indo-China border, checking for illegal immigration status and trans-border smuggling, and maintain peace in the assigned areas.

● Sashastra Seem Bal (SSB) – Sub-inspectors in SSB are responsible for preventing border crimes, investigating anti-national activities across the border, and maintaining security and brotherhood among people across the border.

● Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) – As a sub-inspector of CRPF, candidates are responsible for controlling the Naxalites and riots as well as providing security to industrial units and government infrastructure of the country. This includes the industrial sector such as thermal power plants, PSUs, steel plants, mines, etc.

● Border Security Force – As a sub-inspector of Border Security Force, candidates are responsible for protecting the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh border, promoting a sense of security among people living in border areas, preventing trans-border crimes as well as unauthorized entry into or exit from Indian territory and smuggling or other such illegal activities. They are also responsible for collecting trans-border intelligence and perform anti-infiltration duties.

Candidates who are aspiring to prepare for upcoming govt exams, including the SSC CPO exam, should meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for the exam. These include –

● Nationality – Candidates must be one of the following –

● Educational Qualification – Candidates should be a graduate in any discipline from any recognized university in India, before January 1, 2021.

● Age Limit – Candidates should be a minimum of 20 years of age as of August 1, 2021. The maximum age limit is 25 years of age as of January 1, 2021. 

There are three stages of the SSC CPO Exam – Paper 1, Paper 2, and Physical Endurance Test (PET). The questions in Paper 1 and 2 are of objective multiple choice type and the total duration for each paper is 2 hours. 

In Paper 1, there are 4 sections – General Intelligence and Reasoning Section with 50 questions for 50 marks, General Knowledge and General Awareness Section with 50 questions for 50 marks, the Quantitative Aptitude section with 50 questions for 50 marks, and English Comprehension section with 50 questions for 50 marks.

In Paper 2, there is only 1 section with 200 multiple-choice questions. The section is English language and comprehension, for 200 marks and the total duration is 2 hours.

For every candidate, PET is mandatory. This test consists of shot put, long jump, high jump, and race for female as well as male candidates. 

● Analyze the exam pattern – One of the most important tips for the SSC CPO Exam is to analyze and understand the exam pattern carefully. By this, candidates can get to know the level of the exam as well as understand the marking scheme of the paper. Based on the no. of questions and the time limit, you can make a strategy to attempt the paper and score the maximum marks.

● Go through the complete syllabus – Once you have familiarized yourself with the paper pattern, you should go through the syllabus of the exam completely. With this, you can identify the important topics that you need to focus on.

● Identify weightage of each topic – Check the weightage of each topic mentioned in the syllabus. The more the weightage, the more the importance of the topic hence you can give priority to these topics.

● Practice past papers and mock tests – To get an idea of the exam, solve the previous years’ SSC CPO papers and mock tests. You can build your accuracy and speed with this and also identify your weak areas so that you can practice more. With more practice, your accuracy will start increasing and you will become a master of the topics you practice more.

● Identify previous year cut-offs – Check the cut-off marks for previous years and set a target of marks that you need to attain.

● General Intelligence and Reasoning – For this section, focus on improving your logical ability and visualization power. Allot a proper time limit every day and practice by solving questions, quizzes, and mind games.

● General Awareness and General Knowledge – For this section, prepare static GK topics, including Indian History, Environment, Economy, Culture, Geography (India and World), Science and Technology, and Polity. Also, study daily current affairs and be up-to-date with the daily happenings around the world. Also prepare for topics such as Awards and Honours, New Appointment, Books and Authors, Persons in News, and New Research and Technology.

● Quantitative Speed – Increase your calculation speed and learn short tricks to solve lengthy questions quickly. Give more time to weaker sections and practice daily.

● English Comprehension – Improve your reading skills by reading newspapers and magazines daily. You can also improve your vocabulary by learning a new word daily, and its synonyms and antonyms.