SSC CPO 2026 Age Limit: Birth-Date Windows, Relaxation and NCC Bonus Marks

Sarkari Naukri Khabar • All India

Age is the first thing SSC checks and the one mistake that cannot be fixed later. For SSC CPO 2026 the age is counted as on 1 August 2026, and SSC's notice gives the exact birth dates that qualify, which is safer than doing the arithmetic yourself. This guide sets out those dates for each post, the relaxation for each category, the rule that your matriculation certificate decides your date of birth for good, and the bonus marks NCC certificate holders get in both papers.

Check your birth date, not your age

SSC's notice fixes 1 August 2026 as the date for counting age, and then states the qualifying birth dates directly. Compare your date of birth with these dates rather than working out your age, because a mistake of one day is enough to be ineligible.

All posts except SI (Fire) in CISF, age 20 to 25: born not earlier than 2 August 2001 and not later than 1 August 2006.
SI (Fire) in CISF, age 18 to 30: born not earlier than 2 August 1996 and not later than 1 August 2008.

Relaxation in the upper age limit

The notice sets these relaxations, under the Department of Personnel and Training's rules. They raise the upper limit only; the lower limit does not change.

SC and ST: 5 years.
OBC: 3 years.
Ex-Servicemen: 3 years, after deducting the military service rendered from your actual age as on the closing date for applications.
For SI in Delhi Police only: widows, divorced women and women judicially separated from their husbands who have not remarried, up to 35 years of age, or up to 40 years if SC or ST.

For departmental candidates of Delhi Police

Constables, Head Constables and Assistant Sub-Inspectors of Delhi Police with at least 3 years of regular and continuous service, as on the closing date, can apply against Delhi Police vacancies up to a higher age.

UR and EWS: up to 30 years.
OBC: up to 33 years.
SC and ST: up to 35 years.

Your matric certificate decides your date of birth, permanently

Paragraph 5.4 of the notice says the date of birth filled in the online form and recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary Examination certificate is what SSC accepts, and no later request to change it will be considered.

So make sure the date you type matches your matric certificate exactly. If your matric certificate itself is wrong, correcting it is a separate process with the board, and it has to be done before you rely on it. See our guide on correcting the date of birth in a marksheet.

Certificates for relaxation

Relaxation is given only on a valid certificate from the competent authority, in the format the notice prescribes. Keep it ready: candidates claiming age relaxation must produce the relevant certificate at later stages, and without it the relaxation is not allowed.

NCC bonus marks

Paragraph 12.6 of the notice gives bonus marks to NCC certificate holders, added to the normalised scores in both Paper-I and Paper-II. You must hold the certificate as on the closing date for applications, 30 September 2026, and declare it in the application form.

NCC 'C' certificate: 5% of the maximum marks in each paper.
NCC 'B' certificate: 3% of the maximum marks in each paper.
NCC 'A' certificate: 2% of the maximum marks in each paper.

The deadline

Online applications for SSC CPO 2026 close on 30 September 2026 at 23:00, and the fee can be paid until 1 October 2026 at 23:00. See our SSC CPO 2026 page for the vacancies and fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age limit for SSC CPO 2026?

20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026 for all posts except SI (Fire) in CISF, meaning born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006. For SI (Fire) in CISF, 18 to 30 years.

How much age relaxation do OBC candidates get?

3 years. SC and ST candidates get 5 years.

Can I change my date of birth after applying?

No. SSC accepts the date of birth in the application and your matriculation certificate, and says no later request to change it will be considered.

How many bonus marks does an NCC C certificate give?

5% of the maximum marks in each of Paper-I and Paper-II. B certificate gives 3% and A certificate 2%.

By when must I have the NCC certificate?

As on the closing date for applications, 30 September 2026.

What is the last date for SSC CPO 2026?

30 September 2026 at 23:00. The fee can be paid until 1 October 2026 at 23:00.

ℹ️ Government rules, fees and processing times can change. Always confirm the current position on the official portal or at your block office before acting.

Last updated: 15 Sep 2026