Delhi Police recruits Head Constables through the Staff Selection Commission, and the post sits at Pay Level-4 with a scale of ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 — materially above the Level-3 entry of most Central Armed Police Force constables and the Level-1 entry of SSC MTS.
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There are two distinct Head Constable posts, and they carry different subject requirements. One is open to any Class 12 stream. The other requires Science and Mathematics. Candidates who miss this distinction apply for the wrong post.
The 2026 revised vacancy notice, published on 25 February 2026, put the Delhi Police drive at 8,760 posts across four categories, of which 899 are Head Constable posts.
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This guide sets out the two posts, the eligibility, the salary, the selection process, and one procedural provision that eliminates candidates who have already cleared the examination.
Overview
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for Delhi Police |
| Posts | Head Constable (Ministerial) and Head Constable (AWO/TPO) |
| Qualification | Class 12 — subject requirement differs by post |
| Age | 18 to 27 years |
| Pay Level | Level-4, ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| In-hand | Approximately ₹34,000 – ₹38,000 |
| Selection | CBT → PE&MT → Document Verification → Medical |
| Gender | Male and female both eligible |
| NCC | Additional marks for certificate holders |
| Portal | ssc.gov.in |
1. The Two Posts — Read the Subject Requirement
| Post | Qualification | 2026 Revised Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Head Constable (Ministerial) — HCM | 10+2 (Class 12) from a recognised institution, any stream; or a National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the trade of Mechanic-cum-Operator Electronic Communication System | 456 |
| Head Constable (AWO/TPO) — Assistant Wireless Operator / Tele-Printer Operator | 10+2 (Class 12) with Science and Mathematics as subjects | 443 |
This is the decisive distinction.
Head Constable (Ministerial) accepts Class 12 in any stream. A Commerce or Arts candidate is fully eligible.
Head Constable (AWO/TPO) requires Science and Mathematics. A Commerce or Arts candidate is not eligible, whatever their merit.
The NTC alternative is worth noting. For HCM, a National Trade Certificate in Mechanic-cum-Operator Electronic Communication System qualifies in place of Class 12. Candidates holding that ITI trade certificate can apply without a Class 12 certificate.
The 2026 Delhi Police Vacancy Position
Per the revised vacancy notice of 25 February 2026 — trimmed from an earlier figure of 9,363:
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Constable (Executive) | 7,201 |
| Constable (Driver) | 660 |
| Head Constable (Ministerial) | 456 |
| Head Constable (AWO/TPO) | 443 |
| Total | 8,760 |
Vacancies are distributed across General, OBC, SC, ST and EWS categories, for both male and female candidates. The AWO/TPO allocation in the preceding cycle was 370 male and 182 female.
2. Eligibility
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of India |
| Age | 18 to 27 years, calculated as on the date stated in the notification |
| Age relaxation | As per Government of India norms |
| Qualification (HCM) | Class 12, any stream, or NTC in Mechanic-cum-Operator Electronic Communication System |
| Qualification (AWO/TPO) | Class 12 with Science and Mathematics |
| Physical standards | Mandatory — PE&MT applies to both posts |
| Gender | Male and female both eligible |
On candidates awaiting results: those who have appeared in the Class 12 examination may apply, but must possess the required qualification by the cut-off date stated in the notification.
On PwD candidates: candidates with physical disabilities may apply for certain positions, subject to the specific criteria in the notification.
3. Salary
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-4, 7th CPC |
| Pay Scale | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
| Basic Pay | ₹25,500 |
| Approximate in-hand | ₹34,000 – ₹38,000 |
Allowances and benefits:
- Dearness Allowance (DA) — linked to the cost-of-living index, revised periodically under the 7th CPC
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) — up to 24% of basic pay by city category, for those not availing government quarters
- Transport Allowance (TA)
- Uniform Allowance — for maintenance and replacement of uniform
- Medical benefits — for self and dependents at recognised government facilities
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Paid holidays
Context on the pay level. At Level-4 and ₹25,500 basic, Delhi Police Head Constable sits above the Level-3 entry of ₹21,700 applicable to CAPF constables in BSF, CRPF and CISF, and well above Level-1 at ₹18,000 for SSC MTS. Posting is in Delhi — an X-category city attracting the highest HRA rate, which lifts in-hand pay further.
One caution on figures in circulation: some listings state DA at “around 12% of basic pay”. That figure is stale. Central DA has been reported in the range of 50% to 58% through 2025-26 and is revised twice yearly. Take the applicable rate from the current government order.
4. Job Profile — AWO/TPO
The AWO/TPO role combines field and desk responsibilities:
- Operating wireless and tele-printer equipment to ensure secure and rapid communication
- Assisting senior officers by sharing real-time updates and data during investigations
- Maintaining law and order through coordination between police units
- Registering FIRs, updating records and handling documentation
- Supporting traffic management, emergency response and other police operations as required
Head Constable (Ministerial) is the clerical and administrative cadre within Delhi Police.
5. Selection Process
A four-stage process:
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Computer Based Test (CBT) | 100 objective questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes, at Class 12 standard |
| 2. Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT) | Race, long jump and high jump, with standards by age and gender; plus physical measurement |
| 3. Document Verification | Originals |
| 4. Medical Examination | Prescribed standards |
Examination Syllabus
General Awareness, General Science, Mathematics, Reasoning and Computer Fundamentals — at Class 12 standard. The emphasis is on fundamentals and accuracy rather than advanced material.
NCC Bonus Marks
Candidates holding an NCC certificate receive additional marks in the Delhi Police Head Constable examination. Candidates in a position to obtain an NCC certificate before applying should note the direct benefit to the merit position.
Answer Key and Objections
SSC releases a provisional answer key with the response sheet and question paper after the CBT. Candidates log in with the registration or roll number and date of birth to access it, and may raise objections within the stated window — in the 2025-26 cycle, the objection window ran from 5 to 7 February 2026 with a fee of ₹50 per question.
The final answer key is published after the objections are analysed, and is used to prepare the result.
The objection window is brief — three days in the last cycle — and is the only opportunity to contest a disputed answer.
6. The Post Preference Form — Read This Carefully
This is the provision that eliminates candidates who have already succeeded in the examination.
After clearing the examination stage, candidates must complete an Online Option Form on the official SSC website to indicate preferred posts and departments.
| Rule | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Preferences, once submitted, cannot be changed | There is no revision facility |
| The form must be submitted by the stated deadline | Late entries are not accepted |
| Candidates who do not submit preferences are not considered for any post | No preferences, no selection |
A candidate who clears the CBT and the PE&MT but fails to submit the option form is not considered for any post at all. The work of the entire cycle is forfeited on a procedural step.
Monitor the SSC portal for the option form window after the examination result, and complete it immediately rather than close to the deadline.
7. Application Procedure
The process is entirely online at ssc.gov.in. There are no forms to courier and no office to visit.
- Register under the One-Time Registration (OTR) system if not already registered. This requires:
- Aadhaar number
- Full name and date of birth
- Parents’ names
- The board from which Class 12 was passed
- Roll number and year of passing
- A working mobile number and email address
- Complete the OTR with absolute accuracy. A wrong date of birth or a misspelled name creates problems at document verification months later, when correction is no longer possible.
- Log in and open the Delhi Police application. Select the post you are eligible for — Head Constable (Ministerial) or Head Constable (AWO/TPO).
- Complete the document upload step to specification. This is the stage at which candidates most commonly stumble.
- Indicate examination centre preferences in the application form.
- Pay the application fee online and submit.
- Download the admit card from ssc.gov.in using the registration number and password. Admit cards are available online only and are issued only to candidates whose applications were successfully submitted.
- For the PE&MT, download the e-Admit Card from the official Delhi Police recruitment website and carry it with the required documents on the day of the physical test.
Note the two portals. The application and CBT admit card are on ssc.gov.in. The PE&MT e-Admit Card is issued through the Delhi Police recruitment website. Candidates who monitor only one portal miss the physical test call.
8. Timeline
The 2025-26 Cycle — For Reference
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| HCM notification | 24–29 September 2025 |
| Application closed | 20 October 2025 |
| Constable (Driver) CBT | December 2025 |
| Constable (Executive) CBT | 18 December 2025 – 6 January 2026 |
| HCM CBT | 7–12 January 2026 |
| AWO/TPO CBT | 15–22 January 2026 |
| HCM Answer Key | 5 February 2026; objections to 7 February 2026 |
| Revised vacancy notice | 25 February 2026 |
| AWO/TPO PE&MT | Expected from 25 July 2026 |
The 2026 Cycle — Expected
The official notification is expected around September 2026, with the CBT tentatively between December 2026 and January 2027.
These are working estimates based on SSC’s historical pattern, not notified dates. The SSC calendar and ssc.gov.in are the authoritative reference.
9. Competition — An Honest Assessment
The preceding Delhi Police recruitment cycle drew approximately 27 lakh applicants for just over 7,000 seats.
That is the scale a candidate is entering. It is also, on the evidence, a field in which most applicants are not seriously prepared — a large proportion apply without a structured preparation or physical training plan.
Two rational responses:
Choose the post by eligibility, not by vacancy count. Constable (Executive) carries 7,201 of the 8,760 posts, and attracts a correspondingly larger field. The Head Constable posts — 456 HCM and 443 AWO/TPO — are smaller but sit at Level-4 rather than the constable level, and the AWO/TPO field is further narrowed by the Science and Mathematics requirement.
Begin physical preparation before the CBT, not after. The PE&MT — race, long jump, high jump — is an elimination stage, and the gap between the CBT result and the physical test is not sufficient to build fitness from a standing start.
10. Documents Checklist
- ☐ Class 12 mark sheet and certificate — with Science and Mathematics evidenced, for AWO/TPO
- ☐ National Trade Certificate (NTC) in Mechanic-cum-Operator Electronic Communication System, where relied upon for HCM
- ☐ Class 10 mark sheet — age proof
- ☐ Aadhaar — required for OTR
- ☐ Caste / category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- ☐ NCC certificate, where held — carries additional marks
- ☐ PwD certificate, where applicable
- ☐ OTR registration number and password
- ☐ CBT admit card from ssc.gov.in
- ☐ PE&MT e-Admit Card from the Delhi Police recruitment website
11. The Next Rung
For candidates who complete graduation, SSC CPO is the route to Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police. The 2026 notification is expected around May 2026, with Paper 1 tentatively in October or November 2026, and over 4,000 vacancies expected across Delhi Police and the CAPFs — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSF.
One hard requirement for male SI candidates: a valid driving licence for both motorcycle and car must be produced at the time of the physical test. It is a condition, not a recommendation, and candidates should obtain both well in advance.
SSC CPO requires graduation and is therefore not available at the Class 12 stage — but it is the reason to complete a degree during service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the qualification for Delhi Police Head Constable? Head Constable (Ministerial) requires Class 12 in any stream, or a National Trade Certificate in the trade of Mechanic-cum-Operator Electronic Communication System. Head Constable (AWO/TPO) requires Class 12 with Science and Mathematics as subjects.
Q2. What is the Delhi Police Head Constable salary? Pay Level-4 under the 7th Pay Commission, ₹25,500 – ₹81,100, with an approximate in-hand of ₹34,000 – ₹38,000, plus DA, HRA up to 24%, TA, uniform allowance, medical benefits and LTC.
Q3. How many Head Constable vacancies are there in 2026? Per the revised vacancy notice of 25 February 2026: 456 for Head Constable (Ministerial) and 443 for Head Constable (AWO/TPO), within a total Delhi Police drive of 8,760 posts.
Q4. Can a Commerce or Arts candidate apply? For Head Constable (Ministerial) — yes, any Class 12 stream qualifies. For Head Constable (AWO/TPO) — no, Science and Mathematics are required.
Q5. Is a physical test mandatory? Yes. The Physical Endurance and Measurement Test includes race, long jump and high jump, with standards varying by age and gender, alongside physical measurement.
Q6. Do NCC certificate holders get an advantage? Yes. Candidates holding an NCC certificate receive additional marks in the examination.
Q7. What is the post preference form? An Online Option Form completed on the SSC website after the examination stage, indicating preferred posts and departments. Preferences cannot be changed once submitted, late entries are not accepted, and candidates who do not submit preferences are not considered for any post.
Q8. What is the age limit? 18 to 27 years, calculated as on the date stated in the notification, with relaxation as per Government of India norms.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Vacancy numbers, eligibility, subject requirements, age limits, DA rates, examination pattern, physical standards and dates are set by the official SSC notification and are revised each cycle. Vacancy figures cited are from the revised notice of 25 February 2026 and the preceding cycle; dates for the 2026 cycle are estimates based on SSC’s historical pattern, not notified dates. Candidates must read the official notification on the SSC portal before applying and treat it as the final authority.