Candidates are tested in subjects such as General Knowledge, Reasoning, Maths and English. After the Written Exam, candidates also have to clear Physical and Medical Tests. Police exams are a pathway to getting jobs in the State Police and Central Forces like BSF, CRPF and CISF.
Police Exam 2026: Complete Guide - Eligibility, Vacancy, Syllabus, Salary & More
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Table of Contents
What is a Police Exam?
A Police Exam is a government exam conducted for the recruitment of candidates for police jobs in India. These exams are conducted by the SSC, UPSC and State Police Recruitment Boards.
Police Exams in India (Central & State Level Overview)
Central Police Exams
These exams are conducted by the central government for recruitment in forces like BSF, CRPF, CISF and ITBP. The exams are open for candidates from all states of India.
Exam Name | Recruiting Body | Posts |
|---|---|---|
SSC GD Constable | Staff Selection Commission | Constable in BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, ITBP |
SSC CPO (SI / ASI) | Staff Selection Commission | Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police & CAPF |
UPSC CAPF (AC) | Union Public Service Commission | Assistant Commandant in CAPF |
Delhi Police Constable | SSC | Constable in Delhi Police |
RPF Constable / SI | Railway Protection Force | Constable & SI in Railway Police |
State Police Exams
Each state conducts its own police exams for the recruitment of constables, sub-inspectors (SI) and other police officers. For example, UP Police, Maharashtra Police, Rajasthan Police, etc.
State | Exam Name | Post |
|---|---|---|
Uttar Pradesh | UP Police Constable / SI | Constable, SI |
Rajasthan | Rajasthan Police Constable | Constable, SI |
Maharashtra | Maharashtra Police Bharti | Constable |
Madhya Pradesh | MPPEB Police Bharti | Constable, SI |
Bihar | Bihar Police BPSSC | Constable, SI, Inspector |
Haryana | Haryana Police Constable | Constable, SI |
Gujarat | LRD / PSI | Constable, PSI |
Karnataka | Karnataka State Police (KSP) | Constable, SI |
Police Post Hierarchy
Knowing the police post system will guide you in choosing which post to aim for based on your qualifications and aspirations.
Level | Post | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level | Constable | 10th / 12th Pass |
Level 2 | Head Constable | 12th Pass (or promotion) |
Level 3 | Sub-Inspector (SI / ASI) | Graduation |
Level 4 | Inspector | Graduation (or promotion) |
Level 5 | Deputy Superintendent (DSP) | Graduation / UPSC CAPF |
Level 6 | Superintendent (SP) | IPS / Promotion |
Who Should Apply for Police Exams?
10th Pass Candidates
If you have cleared Class 10, you can apply for Constable posts in most state police forces and some central forces like RPF Constable. These posts are a great stepping stone for a police career.
12th Pass Candidates
A 12th pass certificate makes you eligible for Head Constable posts and some of the Constable exams like SSC GD and Delhi Police Constable. You can also apply for police bharti exams at the state level.
Graduates
If you have a graduation degree, you can apply for Sub-Inspector (SI), ASI and Inspector level posts. The major options for graduates are SSC CPO SI, state SI exams and UPSC CAPF AC.
Police Exam Notification 2026
The police bharti notification is the official announcement issued by the recruiting body before each recruitment cycle. It has all the important details you need before applying.
What’s in a Notification?
- Total vacancy & Post-wise Breakup
- Qualification, age limit, physical standards, eligibility criteria
- Application dates, start date, last date, deadline for fee payment
- Exam date and schedule
- Selection process stages
- Official website and application
The notifications for central exams are released on ssc.gov.in, upsc.gov.in, and indianrailways.gov.in. Check the official state police or state PSC website for state exams. Always download the notification PDF and carefully read it before filling your application form. If you fail to meet just one of the eligibility criteria, your application may simply get rejected.
Police Exam Calendar
Here is a quick reference table for expected notification and police bharti exam dates of all major police exams in 2026. Dates are based on prior year patterns and are subject to change.
Exam | Notification Date | Last Date to Apply | Exam Date | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SSC GD Constable 2026 | 01 December 2025 | 31 December 2025 | April 27 - May 30, 2026 | ssc.gov.in |
UP Police SI 2026 | August 2025 | September 2025 | March 14 - 15, 2026 | uppbpb.gov.in |
UPSC CAPF (AC) 2026 | 14 January 2026 | 03 February 2026 | 19 July 2026 | upsc.gov.in |
UP Police Constable | 31 December 2025 | 30 January 2026 | June 08, 09 & 10, 2026 | uppbpb.gov.in |
Delhi Police Constable | February 2026* | March 2026* | June - July 2026* | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CPO (SI/ASI) | May 2026 | June 2026 | October - November 2026 | ssc.gov.in |
RPF Constable / SI | March 2026* | April 2026* | July - August 2026* | indianrailways.gov.in |
Bihar Police (CSBC) | January 2026* | February 2026* | May - June 2026* | csbc.bih.nic.in |
MP Police Constable | March 2026* | April 2026* | July 2026* | esb.mp.gov.in |
Rajasthan Police | February 2026* | March 2026* | June 2026* | police.rajasthan.gov.in |
Dates with an asterisk (*) are tentative, based on previous year trends. Do check the official website before applying.
Expected Police Vacancies in India 2026 (Tentative)
Police recruitment 2026 is expected to bring lakhs of vacancies in central and state forces. Here is a rough estimate based on trends from previous years.
Exam | Expected Vacancies 2026 | Post Type |
|---|---|---|
SSC GD Constable | 25,487 | Constable (CAPF) |
SSC CPO SI / ASI | 4,000+ | SI / ASI |
Delhi Police Constable | 5,000+ | Constable |
RPF Constable / SI | 4,600-8,000+ | Constable & SI |
UP Police Constable | 60,000+ | Constable |
UP Police SI | 2,400+ | Sub-Inspector |
Rajasthan Police | 4,000+ | Constable & SI |
MP Police Constable | 7,000+ | Constable |
Bihar Police | 10,000+ | Constable & SI |
Note: The exact number of vacancies will be released along with the official notification. Figures are based on previous year trends and are subject to change.
Police Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
Age Limit Criteria
Post | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
Constable (General) | 18 years | 23–25 years (varies by recruitment) |
Head Constable | 18 years | 25–27 years (varies by department) |
Sub-Inspector (SI) | 20 years | 25–28 years (varies by state/central exam) |
Inspector / ASI | 20 years | 25–30 years (varies by department) |
UPSC CAPF AC | 20 years | 20–25 years (with relaxations as per rules) |
Note: Age limits may vary as per the official notifications. Age relaxation is given for SC/ST, OBC, and other reserved categories according to government rules.
Educational Qualification
Post | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
Constable | Class 10 pass (Matriculation) from a recognised board(may vary by state) |
Head Constable | Class 12 pass (Intermediate) from a recognised board (varies by department) |
Sub-Inspector (SI) | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university |
Inspector / ASI | Bachelor's degree from a recognised university |
UPSC CAPF AC | Bachelor's degree in any stream |
Age Relaxation Rules
Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
OBC | 3 years |
SC / ST | 5 years |
Ex-Servicemen (UR) | 3 years after actual service + 3 years |
Ex-Servicemen (OBC) | 3 years after actual service + 6 years |
Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) | 3 years after actual service + 8 years |
PwD (UR) | 10 years |
PwD (OBC) | 13 years |
PwD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
Police Recruitment Exam Selection Process
Most police bharti exams have a similar pattern of selection. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Application Form: Fill out the online application form on the official website within the notified dates.
- Written Exam: Objective-type exam of General Knowledge, Reasoning, Maths and English.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Running, long jump and other physical tasks.
- Physical Standard Test (PST): Check on height, weight and chest measurement.
- Medical Examination: General health check to confirm fitness for duty.
- Document Verification (DV): Your original documents are verified against your application.
- Final Merit List: Based on the marks obtained in the written exam (and interview for some posts). Selected candidates are given a posting.
Police Physical Test (PET/PST) Requirements
The physical test is an important stage which many candidates fail due to lack of preparation. Know standards well ahead of time and begin training early.
Height and Chest Standards
Category | Male Height | Female Height | Chest (Male Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
General / OBC | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm (85 cm expanded) |
SC / ST | 162 cm | 150 cm | 77 cm (82 cm expanded) |
Hill / Tribal | 162 cm | 150 cm | 77 cm (82 cm expanded) |
Running & Other Events
Event | Male Standard | Female Standard |
|---|---|---|
1.6 km Run | 5 minutes 30 seconds | 8 minutes 30 seconds |
Long Jump | 11 feet (3 attempts) | 9 feet (3 attempts) |
High Jump | 3.5 feet (3 attempts) | 3 feet (3 attempts) |
Note: PET/PST standards differ slightly from exam to exam. Check the official notification for exact requirements.
Police Bharti Exam Pattern 2026
Written Exam Pattern - Constable Level
Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
General Knowledge / GK | 25 | 25 |
|
General Hindi / English | 25 | 25 |
|
Numerical Ability | 25 | 25 |
|
Mental Ability / Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
|
Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
Written Exam Pattern - Sub-Inspector (SI) Level
Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
General Hindi / English | 40 | 40 |
|
General Knowledge | 40 | 40 |
|
Numerical & Mental Ability | 40 | 40 |
|
Mental Aptitude / IQ | 40 | 40 |
|
Total | 160 | 160 | 120 Minutes |
Key Points to Remember
- Most of the police Recruitment exams are only objective-type (MCQ) questions.
- Negative marking: SSC conducts exams that deduct 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer
- Check the notification, some state exams does not have negative marking.
- Written exam to shortlist candidates for PET/PST.
- Final merit is usually based on written exam marks only (PET/PST is qualifying).
Police Exam Syllabus 2026
Common Subjects Across All Police Recruitment Exams
Subject | Key Topics |
|---|---|
General Knowledge / Awareness | Current affairs, Indian history, geography, polity, economy, science & technology, sports, awards |
Reasoning / Mental Ability | Analogies, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, directions, syllogism, puzzles, non-verbal reasoning |
Numerical Ability / Maths | Number system, percentage, ratio, profit & loss, time-speed-distance, time & work, simple interest, data interpretation |
Hindi / English Language | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, fill in the blanks, error detection, synonyms & antonyms |
General Science | Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Class 10 standard |
Computer Knowledge | Basic computer operations, MS Office, internet, for SI and above level exams |
Post-wise Syllabus Overview
Post | Subjects in Exam |
|---|---|
Constable | GK, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, Hindi/English |
Head Constable | GK, Reasoning, Maths, Hindi/English, Basic Computer |
SI / ASI | GK, Reasoning, Maths, Hindi/English, General Science, Law basics |
Inspector | GK, Reasoning, Maths, English, Law, Computer |
UPSC CAPF AC | GK, English, Maths, Reasoning, Phase I; Essay & Comprehension, Phase II |
Police Salary & Benefits
A career in the police force offers a stable salary along with several allowances and perks. Here is a post-wise salary overview.
Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Gross Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
Constable (Central) | Level 3 | Rs. 21,700 | Rs. 28,000–35,000 |
Head Constable | Level 4 | Rs. 25,500 | Rs. 32,000–40,000 |
ASI | Level 5 | Rs. 29,200 | Rs. 38,000–47,000 |
SI (CAPF) | Level 6 | Rs. 35,400 | Rs. 44,000–55,000 |
Inspector | Level 7 | Rs. 44,900 | Rs. 56,000–68,000 |
DSP / UPSC CAPF AC | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 | Rs. 70,000–85,000 |
Important Note
Salary above is an estimate. The real salary depends on the state, department, the posting location (city/rural area) and the applicable allowances like HRA, DA, and other government benefits. This may not be the final in-hand salary because of basic pay.
Special Allowances And Perks
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) for posting city • Dearness Allowance (DA) revised half yearly
- Transportation Allowance • Medical benefits for self and family
- group insurance
- Pension on retirement (NPS for Central Forces)
- Uniform and accommodation provided at duty stations
Police Bharti Job Profile & Responsibilities
Duties of the Constable
- Maintain law and order in assigned areas and patrol
- Crowd management at public events and rallies
- Help senior officers with investigations
- Traffic control and accident reporting
- Protecting key sites and VIPs
Sub-Inspector (SI) Duties
- Enquiring into complaints and FIRs registered in the police station
- Field operations leading constables
- Drafting charge sheets and conducting cases in court
- Coordinating with local administration in case of emergencies
Daily Work Structure
The police usually work 8-hour shifts. Field postings are active patrol and response duties. Office postings consist of documentation, case management, and coordination work.
The work also varies greatly depending on the posting location, city, highway, border or a specialised unit like the crime branch or cyber cell
Police Exam Admit Card 2026
The admit card, also called the hall ticket, is released 10-15 days prior to the exam on the official website. Without a valid admit card, you will not be allowed inside the exam centre.
How to Download Your Admit Card
- Go to the official website of the examination.
- Click on the ‘Admit Card’ or ‘Hall Ticket’ link.
- Type in your registration number and date of birth.
- Download and take print out of at least 2 copies of your admit card.
Important Instructions
- Carry a printed admit card; most exam centres don’t accept digital copies on mobile.
- Carry a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN card, Passport) along with your admit card.
- Arrive at the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time.
- Double-check the address of your exam centre and do not confuse it with nearby centres.
Police Exam Answer Key 2026
The conducting body releases a provisional answer key after each stage of the exam on its official website, generally within 1 to 2 weeks of the exam. You can compare your answers with the key to predict your score before the result is declared.
If any answer in the answer key is found wrong, you can file an objection online within the specified time limit (normally 3 to 7 days). The fee is about Rs. 100 per question and it is returned if your objection is accepted. When all objections are settled, a final answer key is published and the results are computed based on that.
How to Apply for Police Exam 2026
- Visit the official website of the recruiting body (e.g., ssc.gov.in, uppbpb.gov.in).
- Click on ‘Apply Online’ or ‘New Registration’ link for the respective exam.
- Sign up with your name, email ID and mobile number. Make a note of your registration ID and password.
- Log in and enter personal details, educational qualifications, and physical details.
- Submit your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online (Debit/Credit card, Net Banking or UPI). The fee is usually Rs. 100–200. SC/ST and female candidates usually get relaxation in the application fee.
- Carefully review all details before final submission. Mistakes cannot be put right afterwards.
- Download and print the application confirmation page for your records.
Selection Result and Merit List
After the publication of the final answer key, the result is declared on the official website. The result will show if you are shortlisted for the next stage (PET/PST or DV).
Marks obtained in the written exam are used to prepare the merit list. Candidates are ranked by marks. The cut-off is the minimum marks needed to be included in the merit list. If your marks are above the cut-off for your category, you will move to the next stage.
Marks obtained in the written examination (and interview, if applicable) are combined for final selection to prepare the final merit list. The candidates in this list are offered a posting as per their rank and available vacancies.
Career Growth and Promotion Path
There is a clear promotion ladder in the police force. Promotions depend on consistent performance, departmental exams and seniority
Starting Post | Next Promotion | How |
|---|---|---|
Constable | Head Constable | Departmental exam + seniority |
Head Constable | ASI | Departmental exam + seniority |
ASI | SI | Seniority + departmental exam |
SI | Inspector | Merit + seniority |
Inspector | DSP | DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee) |
DSP | SP (IPS cadre) | Exceptional merit / IPS exam |
State vs Central Police Exams
Factor | Central Police Exams | State Police Exams |
|---|---|---|
Example Exams | SSC GD, SSC CPO, UPSC CAPF | UP Police, Rajasthan Police, MP Police |
Syllabus | Standardised by SSC / UPSC | Varies state to state |
Salary | Slightly higher (7th Pay) | As per state pay matrix |
Competition | Very high (pan-India) | High (state candidates) |
Posting Location | Anywhere in India | Within the state |
Language | Hindi + English | Regional language + Hindi/English |
Difficulty Level | High | Moderate to High |
How to Prepare for Police Recruitment Exams 2026
Study Strategy
- Firstly, download the official syllabus and exam pattern from notification.
- Separate the subjects by priority. Most of the police bharti examinations carry highest weightage to General Knowledge and Reasoning.
- Study 4–5 hours per day. Time all sections equally.
- Daily update on current affairs. Read a newspaper or a monthly current affairs magazine.
- In Maths, arithmetic topics, percentage, profit-loss and time-speed-distance are most important.
Mock Tests
- After completing the syllabus, take at least one full-length mock test every week.
- Analyse each mock test to identify where you are losing marks and work on those areas.
- Practice under exam conditions to increase your speed and accuracy.
Previous Year Question Papers
- Before the exam, solve at least 5 -10 previous year police bharti question papers.
- Previous papers show the actual level of difficulty and the type of questions asked.
- Many questions from past years are repeated, especially in GK.
Physical Preparation
- Begin physical training at least 3–4 months before the PET date.
- Practice 1.6 km run daily and try to finish it within 5 minutes.
- Do long jump and high jump practice 3-4 times per week.
- Eat good food and sleep well during your preparation.
Best Books for Police Exam Preparation
Subject | Recommended Book | Author / Publisher |
|---|---|---|
General Knowledge | Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications |
Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
Maths / Numerical | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal |
Hindi Language | Samanya Hindi | Vikas Experts |
English Language | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
General Science | Lucent's General Science | Lucent Publications |
Previous Year Papers | SSC GD / UP Police Solved Papers | Arihant / Kiran Prakashan |
Previous Year Cut-off Trends and Analysis
The scores for SSC GD and CPO are official normalised scores. Delhi Police, UP Police Constable and UP Police SI numbers are trend-based estimates from major prep platforms; actual official numbers vary by shift and state.
SSC GD Constable - CBT Paper 1 (Male, Official Normalised Scores)
|
Exam |
Year |
UR |
OBC |
EWS |
SC |
ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SSC GD Constable |
2022 |
153.56 |
152.28 |
- |
138.45 |
127.34 |
|
|
2023 |
160.44 |
158.12 |
156.78 |
144.22 |
133.56 |
|
|
2024 |
153.56 |
152.28 |
150.91 |
137.51 |
133.12 |
SSC CPO SI - Paper 1 (Male, Official Normalised Scores)
|
Exam |
Year |
UR |
OBC |
EWS |
SC |
ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SSC CPO SI |
2022 |
126.84 |
112.43 |
121.56 |
97.34 |
87.12 |
|
|
2023 |
128.96 |
114.82 |
123.14 |
99.21 |
89.44 |
|
|
2024 |
119.80 |
113.50 |
111.43 |
89.85 |
82.65 |
Delhi Police Constable - Cut Off out of 100 (Estimated based on published trends *)
|
Exam |
Year |
UR |
OBC |
EWS |
SC |
ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Delhi Police Constable |
2022 |
70–80 |
65–75 |
- |
58–68 |
52–62 |
|
|
2023 |
72–82 |
66–76 |
- |
60–70 |
54–64 |
|
|
2024 |
75–85 |
70–80 |
- |
62–72 |
55–65 |
UP Police Constable - Cut Off out of 300 (Estimated based on published trends *)
|
Exam |
Year |
UR |
OBC |
EWS |
SC |
ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UP Police Constable |
2022 |
200–220 |
190–210 |
- |
175–195 |
160–180 |
|
|
2023 |
205–225 |
195–215 |
- |
180–200 |
165–185 |
|
|
2024 |
210–230 |
200–220 |
- |
185–205 |
170–190 |
UP Police SI - Cut Off out of 400 (Estimated based on published trends *)
|
Exam |
Year |
UR |
OBC |
EWS |
SC |
ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UP Police SI |
2022 |
220–240 |
210–230 |
- |
195–215 |
180–200 |
|
|
2023 |
225–245 |
215–235 |
- |
200–220 |
185–205 |
Documents Needed for Police Recruitment 2026
These are rough cut-offs based on trends. Real cut-offs vary each year depending on positions vacant, level of difficulty, number of applicants. UP Police uses a higher total marks scale, so figures look bigger
At the Application Stage
- Recent passport-size photograph with white background (scanned)
- Scanned signature
- Class 10 / 12 / Graduation certificate (if applicable)
- Certificate of category (OBC / SC / ST / EWS) if applicable
- Working email ID and mobile number
On Exam Day
- Printed hall ticket(Admit Card)
- Valid Government photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN card or Passport)
At the Document Verification (DV) Stage
- Class 10th and 12th Mark sheets and Certificates (Original)
- Graduation degree/mark sheets (for SI & above posts)
- Birth certificate (Class 10 admit card or birth certificate)
- Category certificate (OBC / SC / ST / EWS) in the prescribed format
- Domicile/residence certificate (for state police exams)
- Discharge certificate (for ex-servicemen)
- PwD certificate (if any)
- Character Certificate from a Gazetted Officer
- Passport-size photographs (carry at least 6 copies)
FAQs on Police Exam 2026
As per the rules of the states, candidates should have passed 10th or 12th, for Police Constable Bharti. They are required to also have physical requirements such as height, chest, fitness, etc.
Usually, Constable posts are open for those who are 18 to 25 years old, while SI posts are up to 28 to 30 years old. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved category as per government rules.
The selection process usually comprises of a written test and a physical test, such as PET and PST. Following this, documentation is performed and medical examinations are carried out.
The monthly in-hand of Police Constable is usually in the range of ₹28000 to ₹35000. Salary is subject to state, city, and allowances.
There exist some exams such as SSC which employ negative marking, 0.25 mark for every wrong response. Many state police exams don't have negative marking, however, it relies on the notification.
PET is a physical examination of the running, stamina and fitness ability. PST is a physical standard test which will assess the height, chest and other body standards.
Police exams are not time limited. Eligible age as per recruitment board is the last date for application.