SSC CPO vs SSC CGL. Which one is better?
SSC CPO and SSC CGL are the examinations conducted by the SSC (Staff Selection Commission). While the SSC CGL examination tests the graduates and finds their suitability for various posts available in the government organizations, departments, and ministries, SSC CPO examination test the candidates for their suitability for the Central Police Organisation (CPO). There are two major posts for which the SSC CPO exams are conducted, namely SI (Sub Inspector) in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and ASI (Assistant Sub Inspector).
In order to understand which exam is better, and which provides better service conditions and salary structure, etc., let us make a thorough comparison between the two exams and services. Although, both the exams provide a great opportunity for the aspirants of the government jobs, SSC CGL is somewhat difficult to crack as compared to the SSC CPO exams. You can crack SSC CPO in 30 Days with our Strategy. Let us compare all the aspects of these examinations one by one:
Comparison of Examination Pattern and method
The Tier 1 exam of the SSC CGL is quite difficult to crack as compared to the SSC CPO exam.
| Exam Structure | |||
| S.No. | SSC CGL | SSC CPO | |
| 1. | Number of Questions | 100 | 200 |
| 2. | No. of questions in each section | 25 | 50 |
| 3. | Marks for each question | 2 | 1 |
| 4. | Negative Marking for each question | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| 5. | Duration of Examination (minutes) | 60 | 120 |
Tier-II Exam: In the Tier-II examination of the SSC CGL, there is a total of 4 papers.
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language and Comprehension
- Statistics (For Specified Posts)
- Finance & Accounting/ Economics and Governance (For Specified Posts)
In the Tier-II examination of the SSC CPO, there is only one paper in general English. In total, it contains 200 questions and the duration of the exam is of 2 hours. Though, the syllabus of English language comprehension is the same for both the exams, the level of difficulty of SSC CGL is relatively higher.
Comparison of Syllabus of SSC CGL and SSC CPO:
The detailed comparison of the syllabus reveals that the syllabus of both the exams is almost the same. The only difference lies in the difficulty level of the exam. As discussed earlier, the level of exam of CGL is higher than that of the CPO. So always keep this in mind before preparing for the exams.
Comparison Of Role And Responsibilities Of SSC CGL And SSC CPO
The roles and responsibilities of the SSC CGL and SSC CPO candidates are completely different. While the SSC CGL candidates are involved in works like auditing, inspection, statistical investigation, assistance, etc., the SSC CPO candidates perform entirely different tasks and they become the SI or ASI in some regions of the country.
The SSC CGL candidates join the reputed departments and organizations of the Government of India like the Income Tax Department, Customs and Excise Department, Election Commission of India, etc. Candidates who clear the SSC CPO exam become part of the Indian paramilitary force of the Indian Army or CAPF. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) act and operated under the home ministry of the nation.
The SSC CPO candidate may get a posting or job in any of the military organization like BSF (Border Security Force), SSB (Seema Suraksha Bal), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), etc.
So, it is clear that the candidate either has to work to save the boundaries of the nation or save the nation from anti-national activities like riots, criminal attacks, terrorism, etc. The nature of work and responsibilities handled by the SSC CPO and SSC CGL is completely different for sure.
Comparison of Salary and Perks of SSC CGL and CPO
| S.No. | CGL | CPO |
| 1. | Basic in-hand salary starts with Rs. 31,000 | Basic in-hand salary starts with Rs. 29,200 |
| 2. | The highest salary can go up to Rs. 55,000 | The highest salary can go up to Rs.1,12,400 |
| 3. | – | Selected for Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ |
| 4. | The grade pay varies with the designation. | The grade pay varies with the designation. |
Comparison of Promotion Patterns
The SSC CPL candidates get promotions according to the rules of the central government. The SSC CPO candidates who are initially selected as ASI (Assistant Sub-Inspector) can get a promotion as a sub-inspector only after 5 years of the basic service in any of CPO department like BSF, CISF, ITBP, etc.
As is with all the services in any government organization, the promotion depends on the years of service, expertise, and overall performance of the candidate.
Comparison on the basis of the number of posts offered
Yearly, on average, the SSC recruits more than 4500 candidates through the SSC CGL exam. While only about 2200 candidates are recruited by SSC via SSC CPO exams. The statistics clearly indicate that the probability of selection in SSC CGL is higher in comparison to SSC CPO. But as the level of difficulty is higher in SSC CGL, the person has to prepare accordingly.
Comparison on the basis of the type of training:
While the training of the candidates of SSC CGL is subjective only, the training of the SSC CPO candidates is quite challenging. The SSC CPO trainers have to go through a phase of harsh physical training in the most challenging areas of the country like NE States, Jammu, and Kashmir, Chattisgarh, and Naxal areas. Opt for the SSC CPO option only if you have a very high level of physical endurance power.
Comparison in terms of financial savings:
It is not an exaggeration to say that CAPF personnel can save his/her entire salary for the family. A CAPF personnel gets a lot of allowances from the Government like dress allowance, ration allowance, etc., so it is very easy to save money. They get various allowances under the quota of ‘Person from Armed Forces’. But there are no such allowances for the SSC CGL candidates, so the opportunities for savings become less.
Conclusion:
All of the discussion proves that the types of service one get by clarifying both the examinations are completely different in nature. The difficulty level of the SSC CPL is higher than that of the SSC CPO. Moreover, the vacancies offered by SSC CPL are just double of the SSC CPO.
But it is advisable to opt for the SSC CPO examination if you have a higher level of physical endurance and a passion to serve the nation. If you are lacking in that and want a desk job, it is better to go for the SSC CGL exam. No exam is better than the other. The priority of the candidate decides the type of exam he/she wants to take.