Your Delhi police head constable syllabus depends on which of two posts you apply for: Head Constable (Ministerial), an office role, or Head Constable (Assistant Wireless Operator / Teleprinter Operator), a communications role. Both start with a 100 question computer based test of 90 minutes set by the Staff Selection Commission, but the subjects inside that test differ.
After the CBT, Delhi Police runs the physical round and the post specific skill tests. Below, the two posts are compared first, which helps you pick the one that matches your class 12 stream, followed by topic lists and a short Hindi summary.
Exam at a glance
Written test by
Staff Selection CommissionLater stages by
Delhi PolicePosts
Head Constable (Ministerial) and Head Constable (AWO/TPO), recruited through separate noticesCBT
100 questions, 100 marks, 90 minutes, Hindi and EnglishNegative marking
0.25 mark per wrong answer, as reported for recent noticesQualification
Class 12 pass; AWO/TPO needs science and maths at 12th or a specified NTC tradeAge
HCM 18 to 25; AWO/TPO 18 to 27, with relaxationsOfficial website
HCM and AWO/TPO compared
| Point | Head Constable (Ministerial) | Head Constable (AWO/TPO) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of work | Clerical and office work in police units | Wireless and communication duties |
| Qualification | Class 12 pass | Class 12 with science and mathematics, or an NTC in the relevant electronic communication trade |
| Age | 18 to 25 | 18 to 27 |
| CBT focus | Reasoning and English carry the most marks | Science and maths carry the most marks |
| After the physical test | Typing test and computer formatting test | Trade test, English word processing test and basic computer test |
Each post gets its own notice, so check which recruitment is open. Both posts give older applicants from reserved, ex serviceman and departmental groups some extra years.
CBT pattern for each post
| Section | HCM questions | AWO/TPO questions |
|---|---|---|
| General intelligence and reasoning | 25 | 20 |
| English language | 25 | Not a section |
| General science | Not a section | 25 |
| Mathematics or quantitative aptitude | 20 | 25 |
| General awareness | 20 | 20 |
| Computer fundamentals | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 (100 marks) | 100 (100 marks) |
Both papers last 90 minutes, carry one mark per question and deduct a quarter mark for every wrong answer. Questions are bilingual, apart from the HCM English block, which naturally comes only in English.
Delhi police head constable syllabus topic by topic
Reasoning (both posts)
Analogies, the misfit in a group, sequences, coded words, family trees, direction sense, seating, syllogism, paper folding and embedded figures, non verbal patterns.
English language (HCM)
Locating grammatical slips, completing gapped sentences, synonyms and antonyms, misspelt words, idioms, one word substitution, sentence improvement, voice, narration and a comprehension passage.
General science (AWO/TPO)
School level questions from the three sciences. Since the job involves radio and signal equipment, it is sensible to give electricity, magnetism, waves and basic electronics extra revision, but go by the scope printed in your notice.
Mathematics
Whole numbers and decimals, percentages, ratios, means, interest, gain and loss, work rates, distance and speed, area and volume, simple algebra, reading tables.
General awareness
Recent news, the freedom struggle and older Indian history, physical and political geography, the Constitution, economy basics, plus how the capital is governed.
Computer fundamentals
Parts of a computer, MS Word and Excel basics, e-mail, internet terms, web browsers and communication concepts.
Physical endurance and measurement
The PE&MT is qualifying and run by Delhi Police. Men run 1600 m and women 800 m, then attempt the long jump and high jump. Applicants aged 30 or below are reported to need the run done within 7 minutes (men) or 5 minutes (women), with jumps of 12 ft 6 in and 3 ft 6 in for men and 9 ft and 3 ft for women. Older age groups get easier timings.
For AWO/TPO, men are reported to need 170 cm in height with chest measuring 81 cm normally and 85 cm on full expansion, and 157 cm height for women, with 5 cm relaxation for hill area residents and children of Delhi Police staff. HCM measurements are listed separately in its own notice; the Delhi police HCM syllabus page has the full table for that post.
Skill and trade tests after the physical round
- HCM: a computer typing test needing a speed of 30 wpm (English) or 25 wpm (Hindi), followed by a qualifying formatting test on word processing, spreadsheet and presentation work.
- AWO/TPO: a qualifying trade test on communication equipment knowledge, an English word processing test (reported as 1000 key depressions in 15 minutes) and a test of basic computer functions.
These stages do not test new theory so much as hand skill. Get on a keyboard from day one; waiting for the CBT result leaves too little time.
Delhi police head constable ka syllabus in Hindi
हेड कांस्टेबल भर्ती में दो अलग पद आते हैं: मिनिस्टीरियल (HCM) और AWO/TPO। दोनों की ऑनलाइन परीक्षा SSC लेता है, जिसमें 90 मिनट में 100 प्रश्न आते हैं। ग़लत विकल्प पर हर बार 0.25 की कटौती होती है। HCM में रीजनिंग 25, अंग्रेज़ी 25, गणित 20, सामान्य ज्ञान 20 और कंप्यूटर 10 प्रश्न होते हैं। AWO/TPO में विज्ञान 25, गणित 25, रीजनिंग 20, सामान्य ज्ञान 20 और कंप्यूटर 10 प्रश्न रहते हैं। सीबीटी पास करने वालों को दिल्ली पुलिस के मैदान में दौड़ने और कूदने की परीक्षा देनी होती है। फिर HCM के लिए टाइपिंग टेस्ट और AWO/TPO के लिए ट्रेड टेस्ट होता है। आवेदन से पहले नया नोटिस ज़रूर पढ़ें।
Preparing for the right paper
- HCM aspirants: give English and reasoning half your study time, and type every day.
- AWO/TPO aspirants: revise class 12 physics thoroughly; it is the core of the science section.
- Both: sit full 90 minute mocks and count your wrong attempts each time, since every one shaves off a quarter mark.
For science, maths and general studies, the NCERT series from class 6 up to class 12 is a sound base. For other Delhi Police roles see the constable syllabus, the AWO TPO syllabus in detail, or the driver syllabus. All SSC recruitments are listed under SSC exams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HCM and AWO/TPO?
HCM is an office post with a CBT weighted towards reasoning and English, followed by typing. AWO/TPO is a communications post with a CBT weighted towards science and maths, followed by a trade test and word processing. They have separate notices and age limits.
Does the head constable CBT carry a penalty for guessing wrong?
Yes. Recent notices for both posts cut a quarter mark per incorrect CBT response. Recheck this in whichever notice you finally apply through.
What age band applies to Delhi Police head constable posts?
HCM is 18 to 25 years and AWO/TPO is 18 to 27 years for general candidates. Reserved categories add years on top: five for SC and ST, three for OBC, and more for some other groups.
I studied commerce in class 12. Is AWO/TPO open to me?
Usually no. AWO/TPO asks for class 12 with science and mathematics, or an NTC in the mechanic and operator trade for electronic communication systems. A commerce or arts student with class 12 can apply for HCM instead.
Is the typing test needed for both posts?
The typing test at 30 wpm English or 25 wpm Hindi is for HCM. AWO/TPO has an English word processing test measured in key depressions, plus a trade test.
Who conducts the Delhi Police head constable exam?
The Staff Selection Commission conducts the computer based test. Delhi Police conducts the physical test, skill or trade tests, document check and medical.