SSC CPO Physical Test 2026 — PET, PST, Medical Standards & Driving Licence Rules
SSC CPO Physical Test 2026 — PET, PST, Medical Standards & Driving Licence Rules
SSC CPO Physical Test 2026 is conducted after Paper I (CBT) and is the most critical eliminating stage in the Sub-Inspector selection process. It consists of two parts: PST (Physical Standard Test) which checks height, chest, and weight, and PET (Physical Efficiency Test) which tests running, jumping, and shot put ability. Both are qualifying in nature — no marks are added to merit — but failing either means immediate disqualification regardless of your Paper I score. A Detailed Medical Examination (DME) follows after Paper II for final shortlisted candidates. This guide covers the official category-wise PST standards, all PET events with targets, vision and medical requirements, the Delhi Police driving licence rule, and a 90-day preparation plan.
SSC CPO Selection Process — Where Physical Test Fits
| Stage | Test | Marks / Nature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper I — CBT (General Awareness, Reasoning, Quant, English) | 200 marks (counted for merit) |
| 2 | Physical Standard Test (PST) — Height, Chest, Weight | Qualifying only |
| 2 | Physical Endurance Test (PET) — Running, Jumping, Shot Put | Qualifying only |
| 3 | Paper II — English Language & Comprehension | 200 marks (counted for merit) |
| 4 | Detailed Medical Examination (DME) | Qualifying only |
SSC CPO PST 2026 — Height Standards
Male Candidates
| Category | Minimum Height |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / SC / EWS | 170 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 162.5 cm |
| Hill Area / North East / Gorkha / Dogra / Kumaoni / Garhwali / Maratha | 165 cm |
Female Candidates
| Category | Minimum Height |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / SC / EWS | 157 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 154 cm |
| Hill Area / North East / Gorkha / Maratha | 155 cm |
SSC CPO PST 2026 — Chest Standards (Male Only)
| Category | Unexpanded (Normal) | Expanded (After breathing) | Minimum Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / SC / EWS / Hill Areas | 80 cm | 85 cm | 5 cm |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 77 cm | 82 cm | 5 cm |
Chest measurement is NOT taken for female candidates. Weight for all candidates must be proportionate to height and age as per standard medical norms.
SSC CPO PET 2026 — Physical Endurance Test Events
The PET is held at CAPF / Delhi Police grounds after PST qualification. All events are qualifying — you must clear every event. Failing even one event leads to disqualification.
PET Events — Male Candidates
| Event | Standard / Target | Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Metres Race | 16 seconds | 1 |
| 1.6 km Race | 6 minutes 30 seconds | 1 |
| Long Jump | 12 feet (3.65 m) | 3 |
| High Jump | 1.2 m (approx. 3 ft 11 in) | 3 |
| Shot Put (7.26 kg) | 4.5 m | 3 |
PET Events — Female Candidates
| Event | Standard / Target | Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Metres Race | 18 seconds | 1 |
| 800 Metres Race | 4 minutes | 1 |
| Long Jump | 9 feet (2.75 m) | 3 |
| High Jump | 0.9 m (approx. 3 ft) | 3 |
PET is NOT required for Ex-Servicemen candidates. Shot put is not included in the female PET.
Delhi Police SI — Special Requirement: Driving Licence
This is a frequently missed rule that disqualifies many candidates at the physical test stage:
| Post | Driving Licence Required? |
|---|---|
| Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police (Male) | Yes — valid LMV Driving Licence (Motorcycle + Car) mandatory at the time of physical test |
| Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police (Female) | No — not required |
| Sub-Inspector in CAPFs (BSF/CRPF/CISF/ITBP/SSB) — All | No — not required |
Critical: Male candidates applying for Delhi Police SI must obtain an LMV licence covering both motorcycle and car before appearing for the physical test. Candidates without it will be considered ineligible for Delhi Police SI even if they clear all physical events, but they may still be considered for CAPF SI posts.
SSC CPO Medical Examination 2026 — Vision & Health Standards
The Detailed Medical Examination (DME) is conducted after Paper II for final shortlisted candidates. The medical standards are strict and checked by CAPF / Delhi Police doctors.
Vision Standards
| Type | Required Standard | Glasses / Lenses? |
|---|---|---|
| Distant Vision (Unaided) | 6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in worse eye | Not allowed — must be achieved without correction |
| Near Vision (Unaided) | N6 in better eye, N9 in worse eye | Not allowed — must be achieved without correction |
| Colour Vision | Normal colour perception required | Colour blindness = disqualification |
Other Medical Requirements
| Condition | Standard |
|---|---|
| Flat Foot | Disqualifying — candidates with flat foot are rejected |
| Knock Knee | Disqualifying |
| Varicose Veins | Disqualifying |
| Physical Deformity | Any obvious deformity = disqualification |
| Hearing | Normal hearing required in both ears |
| BMI | Weight must be proportionate to height — grossly overweight / underweight candidates may be rejected |
| Skin Conditions | No active communicable skin disease |
Physical Test Preparation Plan — 90 Days
| Phase | Focus | Daily Routine |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–30 (Base Building) | Build running stamina. Start with 1 km daily, add 200m each week | 2 km run + 30 min stretching + 50 push-ups + 30 pull-ups |
| Days 31–60 (Event Training) | Practise all events. 100m sprints, 1.6 km timed runs, jump practice | 1.6 km timed run + 100m sprints x5 + Long jump practice + High jump attempt |
| Days 61–90 (Peak Performance) | Full mock PET every 3 days. Reduce training 4 days before the actual test | Complete mock PET (all events) + 30 min cool-down + diet focus |
Key Rules & Tips for SSC CPO Physical Test
- Running gets only 1 attempt (100m and 1.6/0.8 km). Train to complete 20 seconds faster than the limit — nerves and unfamiliar ground slow you down on exam day.
- For High Jump: You get 3 attempts. Use all 3 if needed. Most candidates clear it by the second attempt with proper technique (Fosbury flop or scissor kick).
- Start chest expansion training 3 months early. Swimming, deep breathing, and dumbbell flies are the best exercises. 5 cm expansion cannot be developed in days.
- Vision check: If you currently wear glasses, consult an eye specialist about LASIK correction well before the exam. Uncorrected 6/6 vision is non-negotiable.
- Flat foot self-check: Wet your foot and step on paper. If the full sole prints (no arch), consult a doctor. Some cases can be corrected with orthopaedic support over months.
- Delhi Police applicants: Apply for LMV driving licence now if you haven’t. It takes 30–60 days to obtain. Do not wait until the physical test notice.
Full SSC CPO 2026 Guide
- 💰 SSC CPO Salary 2026 — SI In-Hand Pay, Allowances & Career Growth
- 📋 SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 — Tier 1 & Tier 2 Marks & Duration
- 📅 SSC CPO Age Limit 2026 — Category-Wise Relaxation
- 🎓 SSC CPO Education Qualification 2026 — Eligibility & Degree Rules
- 📖 SSC CPO Syllabus 2026 — Tier 1 Topic-Wise Exam Pattern
- 📜 SSC CPO Reservation Policy 2026 — Category-Wise Rules
- 🏋 CRPF Constable Physical Test 2026 — PET & PST Standards
- 👮 Delhi Police Constable Physical Test 2026 — Height, Chest & Race
SSC CPO Physical Test 2026 — FAQs
For General, OBC, SC, and EWS male candidates the minimum height is 170 cm. ST male candidates need 162.5 cm. For Hill Area and NE state candidates the minimum is 165 cm. For female candidates, the General/OBC/SC/EWS minimum is 157 cm, ST female 154 cm, and Hill Area female 155 cm.
Yes. Male candidates must run 100 metres in 16 seconds and 1.6 km in 6 minutes 30 seconds. Female candidates must run 100 metres in 18 seconds and 800 metres in 4 minutes. Running events allow only 1 attempt. Failing either running event results in immediate disqualification.
No. SSC CPO medical standards require unaided (without glasses or contact lenses) distant vision of 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye. Near vision must be N6 and N9 unaided. Candidates who cannot achieve this standard without correction are medically disqualified. Candidates with glasses should consider LASIK surgery before appearing.
A valid LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) driving licence covering both motorcycle and car is mandatory only for male candidates applying for the Sub-Inspector post in Delhi Police. It is not required for female Delhi Police SI candidates or for CAPF SI (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) candidates of any gender. Male candidates applying for Delhi Police SI must obtain the licence before the physical test date.
Failing any single event in the SSC CPO Physical Endurance Test leads to immediate disqualification from the entire recruitment process. There are no re-attempts for running events. For Long Jump, High Jump, and Shot Put, candidates get 3 attempts per event, but at least one attempt must clear the standard. Even if you scored exceptionally well in Paper I, failing the physical test ends your candidacy.
Yes. Flat foot is a disqualifying condition in the SSC CPO Detailed Medical Examination. Similarly, knock knee and varicose veins are also disqualifying. Candidates with flat foot should consult an orthopaedic doctor well before the exam. Some cases of mild flat foot have been corrected with long-term orthopaedic intervention, but this must be addressed months before the medical examination.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| SSC Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
| SSC CPO Salary 2026 | Check Salary Details |
| SSC CPO Exam Pattern 2026 | Check Exam Pattern |
Full Guide: SSC CPO 2026 Complete Guide — Notification, Salary, Physical Test & Selection
