SSC CPO 2026 (Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPFs) Books & Preparation Guide
The Staff Selection Commission conducts the SSC CPO examination for recruitment to the post of Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). This examination is one of the most competitive police recruitment exams conducted at the national level and attracts lakhs of candidates every year. For the 2026 cycle, candidates must prepare strictly according to the latest official notification, syllabus, and examination scheme released by SSC.
All official updates regarding notification, exam dates, syllabus, PET/PST standards, answer keys, and results are published only on the official SSC portal:
https://ssc.gov.in
Candidates should avoid relying on unverified sources or speculative exam dates. The Commission releases recruitment notices and calendars under the “Latest Notifications” and “Calendar” sections.
The SSC CPO examination requires strong conceptual understanding across multiple subjects in Tier I and advanced English proficiency in Tier II. The exam is not only knowledge-based but also tests accuracy, time management, and consistency under pressure. Therefore, selecting the right books and following a structured strategy is essential.

Understanding the SSC CAPFs SI Selection Process
The selection process generally consists of the following stages:
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Computer Based Examination (Paper I)
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Physical Standard Test (PST) / Physical Endurance Test (PET)
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Computer Based Examination (Paper II)
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Detailed Medical Examination
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Document Verification
Paper I and Paper II are objective-type computer-based examinations. The Physical Tests are qualifying in nature but mandatory. Final merit is based on performance in written examinations, subject to qualifying physical and medical standards as prescribed in the notification.
Candidates must thoroughly review the detailed syllabus before beginning preparation. The official syllabus is available at:
→ Candidate’s Corner → Syllabus
SSC CPO Exam Structure (Latest Pattern Overview)
Paper I includes four sections:
General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Knowledge & General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. The exam is objective in nature with negative marking for incorrect answers.
Paper II consists solely of English Language & Comprehension. This paper tests advanced grammar, vocabulary, comprehension ability, and error detection skills.
Since Paper II focuses entirely on English, many candidates underestimate it during preparation. However, this paper plays a decisive role in final selection.
Choosing the Right Books for SSC CAPFs SI 2026
The CPO examination requires both conceptual clarity and high-level practice. Aspirants should avoid studying from too many books. Instead, limited but standard resources, combined with previous year papers, are sufficient to build a strong foundation.
Below are the recommended books for Tier I and Tier II preparation.
List of SSC CAPFs SI Tier 1 Books
Here is the list of the best books for the SSC CAPFs SI Paper 1 (Pre) Exam, subject-wise, below:
| Subject | Books | Buy Online | |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Amazon | Flipkart | |
| Analytical Reasoning by M K Pandey | BUY NOW | ||
| Verbal and Nonverbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal | BUY NOW | ||
| A New Approach to Reasoning: Verbal, Non-Verbal, and Analytical by BS Sijwali and Indu Sijwali | BUY NOW | ||
| Reasoning For General Competition by KD Campus | BUY NOW | ||
| General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge | BUY NOW | |
| Manorama Yearbook | BUY NOW | ||
| GS Set For General Competition by KD Campus | BUY NOW | ||
| English Comprehension | Objective General English by S P Bakshi | BUY NOW | |
| Quick learning Objective General English by RS Aggarwal & Vikas Aggarwal | BUY NOW | ||
| English For General Competition Vol 1 & 2 by KD Campus | BUY NOW | ||
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arihant’s Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | BUY NOW | |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations (R S Aggarwal) | BUY NOW | ||
| Arithmetics For General Competition Vol 1 & 2 by Neetu Singh | BUY NOW | ||
List of Best Books for SSC CAPFs SI Books Tier 2 Exam
The SSC CAPFs SI Books Paper 2 Exam consists of only one subject. The following books are most referred to for the Mains Exam paper:
| Subject | Books | Amazon | Flipkart |
| English Language And Comprehension | Objective General English By SP Bakshi | BUY NOW | |
| Objective General English By RS Aggarwal | BUY NOW | ||
| A mirror of Common Error by AK Singh | BUY NOW | ||
| Plinth To Paramount By KD Campus Vol 1 | BUY NOW | ||
| English For General Competition Vol 1 & 2 By Neetu Singh | BUY NOW | ||
| Word Power Made Easy | BUY NOW | ||
| One Word Substitution by Kiran | BUY NOW |
How to Approach Preparation Strategically
The CPO examination is concept-driven but speed-oriented. Candidates should begin with syllabus coverage and then move toward chapter-wise previous year questions. Once comfortable with topics, full-length mock tests should be introduced.
Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude require continuous practice. English should be practiced daily. General Awareness preparation must focus on static GK (Polity, History, Geography, Economy) along with recent current affairs.
Cutoff trends, result PDFs, and category-wise qualifying marks are available under:
https://ssc.gov.in → Results Section
Reviewing previous cutoffs helps in setting a realistic target score.
Best SSC CAPFs SI Exam Preparation Tips
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Define clear and realistic goals.
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Maintain consistency rather than studying irregularly.
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Solve previous year papers multiple times.
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Attempt full-length mock tests regularly.
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Revise grammar and formulas weekly.
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Improve physical endurance alongside written preparation.
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Follow limited but reliable study materials.
Final Advice for SSC CPO 2026 Aspirants
The competition for Sub-Inspector posts in Delhi Police and CAPFs is intense due to limited vacancies and nationwide participation. Success in this examination requires balanced preparation for both written papers and physical tests.
Candidates must verify:
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Official notification
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Exam calendar
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Physical standards
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Syllabus updates
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Answer keys and result announcements
Only from the official SSC website:
https://ssc.gov.in
With disciplined preparation, proper book selection, and consistent mock practice, candidates can significantly improve their chances of clearing the SSC CAPFs SI 2026 examination.
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