The Delhi Police Sub-Inspector (SI) exam is a highly competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). It opens doors to a prestigious career in law enforcement and public service. With the right approach, dedication, and consistent preparation, cracking this exam becomes a realistic goal. This guide is aimed at helping you understand the entire process and prepare strategically.
Exam Overview
The Delhi Police SI exam is conducted under the SSC CPO (Central Police Organization) examination. It includes multiple stages:
- Paper I (Computer-Based Test)
- Physical Endurance Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST)
- Paper II (English Language & Comprehension)
- Medical Examination
Exam Pattern
Paper I:
- General Intelligence and Reasoning – 50 marks
- General Knowledge and General Awareness – 50 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude – 50 marks
- English Comprehension – 50 marks
- Duration: 2 hours
Physical Test:
- Race, Long Jump, High Jump (Different criteria for males and females)
Paper II:
- English Language and Comprehension – 200 marks
- Duration: 2 hours
All papers are objective-type and include negative marking for wrong answers.
Syllabus
General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Number Series, Puzzle, Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning
General Knowledge and Awareness
- Current Affairs, Indian Polity, History, Geography, Science & Technology, Static GK
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Data Interpretation
English Comprehension
- Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, Synonyms/Antonyms
Paper II (English)
- Essay writing, Grammar usage, Vocabulary enhancement, Sentence structure
Study Plan
Creating a structured study plan is crucial. Divide your preparation into three phases:
- Phase 1 (First 2 months): Build concepts. Focus on understanding topics from basic to advanced.
- Phase 2 (Next 1.5 months): Start solving previous year papers and practice sets.
- Phase 3 (Last month): Focus on revisions and take regular mock tests.
Study each subject daily and allocate more time to your weaker areas.
Time Table
Here’s a sample daily study schedule for working aspirants and full-time students:
Full-Time Aspirants:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM | Physical Exercise |
| 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Quantitative Aptitude |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Break |
| 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | General Knowledge |
| 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Reasoning |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | English |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Mock Test |
| 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Revision |
Working Aspirants:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM | Physical Practice |
| 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Reasoning |
| 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Quantitative Aptitude |
| 9:30 PM – 10:00 PM | GK/Current Affairs |
| Weekends | Full mock tests + Essay writing for Paper II |
Physical Test Preparation
- Start daily running (1.6 km for males, 800 m for females)
- Practice long jump and high jump
- Include strength training and stamina–building exercises
- Maintain a healthy diet and proper sleep schedule
Mock Tests
Mock tests are essential for:
- Understanding the exam pattern
- Time management
- Identifying weak areas
Use mock tests to simulate the real exam environment. Analyze your performance after every test.
Last Minute Strategy
- Revise short notes and important formulas
- Avoid starting new topics
- Solve 1–2 mock tests daily
- Sleep well before the exam
Final Tips
- Stay consistent and disciplined
- Focus more on concepts than rote learning
- Stay updated with current affairs daily
- Don’t ignore physical preparation
- Stay motivated and believe in yourself
FAQs
A: Ideally, 4–6 months of dedicated preparation is enough.
A: Not mandatory. Many candidates crack the exam through self-study and online resources.
A: Yes, graduation is the minimum eligibility.
A: With regular practice and fitness training, it’s manageable.
A: No, SSC CPO has an overall cutoff, but candidates must qualify all stages.