🏦 1. Introduction

The Sub-Inspector (SI) Exam 2026 is one of the most prestigious recruitment examinations conducted for various state and central police forces across India. The post of Police Sub-Inspector (SI) is a Group ‘C’ or ‘B’ level position depending on the department, offering an opportunity to serve in law enforcement and maintain public order.

Major recruiting bodies include:

SSC (Staff Selection Commission) – conducts the SSC CPO Exam for Delhi Police and CAPFs (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB).
State Police Recruitment Boards – conduct SI exams for their respective states (e.g., UP SI, MP SI, Rajasthan SI).

This comprehensive guide covers the Sub-Inspector exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, and preparation strategy for 2026, based on the latest official updates.

🧭 2. Selection Process

The selection process for the Police Sub-Inspector Exam generally consists of the following stages:

Written Examination (Computer-Based Test) – Objective-type questions.
Physical Standard Test (PST) – Height, Chest (for males), and Weight verification.
Physical Endurance Test (PET) – Running, Long Jump, High Jump, etc.
Medical Examination – Vision and overall health check-up.
Document Verification (DV) – Verification of educational and identity documents.

For SSC CPO 2025 and most state-level exams, candidates must clear all stages to qualify for final selection.

📘 3. Exam Pattern

The SI exam pattern differs slightly between SSC and various states, but here’s the latest SSC CPO 2025 format for reference.

🧾 SSC CPO 2025 Exam Pattern

Paper I – Computer-Based Test (Objective Type)

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration	Negative Marking
General Intelligence & Reasoning	50	50	2 hours total	0.25 mark per wrong answer
General Knowledge & General Awareness	50	50
Quantitative Aptitude	50	50
English Comprehension	50	50
Total	200	200	120 minutes	Yes (0.25 mark)

Paper II – English Language & Comprehension

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language & Comprehension	200	200	2 hours

Physical Standard & Endurance Tests (PET / PST)

Test	Male	Female
Height	170 cm (General), 162.5 cm (Hill Areas/SC/ST)	157 cm (General), 154 cm (Hill Areas/SC/ST)
Chest (Male Only)	80 cm (minimum) with 5 cm expansion	—
Running	100 m in 16 seconds	100 m in 18 seconds
Long Jump	3.65 m (3 chances)	2.7 m (3 chances)
High Jump	1.2 m (3 chances)	0.9 m (3 chances)
800 m Run	3 minutes 45 seconds	4 minutes 15 seconds

📌 PET/PST are qualifying in nature and marks are not added to the final merit list.

📚 4. Detailed Section-Wise Syllabus

🧠 General Intelligence & Reasoning

Analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding
Blood relations, direction sense, Venn diagrams
Syllogism, statement & conclusion, decision making
Non-verbal reasoning (figures, patterns)
Puzzles, input-output, matrix reasoning

🌏 General Knowledge & General Awareness

Current events (national & international)
Indian polity, history, geography, economy
Science & technology, environment, sports, awards
Static GK – books, capitals, currencies, organizations
Recent government schemes & policies

➗ Quantitative Aptitude

Simplification, percentage, ratio & proportion
Averages, profit & loss, simple/compound interest
Time, work & distance, mensuration, data interpretation
Algebra, trigonometry, geometry basics
Number system and arithmetic reasoning

📖 English Language & Comprehension

Grammar (tenses, voice, narration, articles, prepositions)
Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, idioms & phrases)
Cloze test, fill in the blanks, error detection
Reading comprehension, para jumbles
Sentence correction and one-word substitution

✅ 5. Final Selection & Marks Weightage

Stage	Weightage	Nature
Paper I	200 Marks	Considered for Merit
Paper II	200 Marks	Considered for Merit
PET / PST	Qualifying	Not in Merit
Medical Test	Qualifying	Not in Merit

Final Merit is based on the aggregate marks of Paper I and Paper II only.
Candidates qualifying in medical & physical tests are listed in the final result according to merit and preference.
Tie-breaking rules: Higher marks in Paper I, older age, and alphabetical order of names.

💡 6. Practical Preparation Tips

📚 Understand the exam structure first – divide study time for reasoning, maths, GK, and English equally.
🧩 Practice previous year question papers to understand question patterns.
⏱️ Attempt timed mock tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
📰 Stay updated with current affairs from reliable sources like PIB, The Hindu, and official government portals.
🧘‍♂️ Physical preparation – maintain a running and exercise routine; physical tests are qualifying but mandatory.
📕 Use standard books:
- Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
- Reasoning – Lucent’s or Arihant Publication
- English – S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- General Knowledge – Lucent’s GK or Manorama Yearbook
📆 Make a 3-month plan:
- Month 1: Concept building & notes preparation
- Month 2: Topic-wise mock tests
- Month 3: Full-length revision & fitness practice

🔗 7. Useful Resource Links

SSC CPO 2026 Official Notification (PDF): https://ssc.gov.in/SSCFileServer/PortalManagement/UploadedFiles/CPO_Notification_2025.pdf
SSC Official Website: https://ssc.gov.in
Delhi Police & CAPFs Syllabus PDF (2026): Download PDF – SSC CPO Syllabus 2026

👮‍♂️ SI – Sub-Inspector Exam 2026 | Latest Syllabus, Pattern, and Preparation Guide