JKSSB Sub-Inspector Recruitment 2026: Complete Exam Guide
The JKSSB Sub-Inspector recruitment is one of the most competitive government job examinations in Jammu & Kashmir. There are 669 vacancies available for this position. The post comes with a Level-6C pay scale of ₹35,700 to ₹1,13,100 per month. This is a permanent position in the J&K Police Department. The stakes are high, and so is the competition.
However, most candidates get one thing wrong in their preparation. They prepare for a generic police SI examination using national-level materials. The JKPSI has its own specific pattern, marks distribution, and unique characteristics. Generic preparation will not work for this exam.
This guide breaks down everything using the official JKSSB syllabus. You will learn exactly what you are walking into. The information covers exam pattern, marks distribution, subject-wise syllabus, physical standards, and preparation strategy. Read carefully before starting your preparation.
JKSSB Sub-Inspector Exam Overview 2026
The Sub-Inspector position falls under the Home Department of J&K Police. The Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board conducts this recruitment. The examination is objective type with multiple choice questions.
The total number of questions is 100. Each question carries 2 marks for a correct answer. The total paper is worth 200 marks. The duration is 2 hours, and the exam medium is English.
One important note about negative marking: The penalty is 0.5 marks per wrong answer. This is double the penalty used in the FAA examination. This matters significantly for your exam strategy. Wild guessing will cost you heavily in this paper.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | JKSSB (Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board) |
| Post Name | Sub-Inspector (SI), J&K Police – Home Department |
| Total Vacancies | 669 |
| Pay Scale | Level-6C (₹35,700 – ₹1,13,100) |
| Exam Type | Objective MCQ |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 200 (2 marks per question) |
| Negative Marking | 0.5 marks per wrong answer |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Medium | English |
Selection Process for JKSSB Sub-Inspector
Getting selected as a JKPSI is not just about clearing a written examination. The full selection process has four distinct stages. Each stage must be cleared to move to the next.
| Stage | Description | Marks/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | Objective type, 200 marks | Contributes to merit |
| Physical Standard Test (PST) | Height, chest measurements | Qualifying only (Pass/Fail) |
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Running test | Qualifying only (Pass/Fail) |
| Medical Examination | Health and fitness check | Final stage |
Important clarification: The PST and PET do not add any marks to your score. They are qualifying rounds only. However, if you fail either round, you are disqualified immediately regardless of your written exam score.
Start physical preparation alongside your academic preparation. Do not wait until after the written exam. Building stamina, running speed, and meeting height and chest requirements takes consistent effort over months.
Marks Distribution – Subject Wise Breakdown
The written examination has 6 parts covering different subjects. Each part has a specific number of questions and marks. Understanding this distribution is essential for time allocation in your study schedule.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| B | General Awareness (India + J&K focus) | 20 | 40 |
| C | Quantitative Aptitude | 15 | 30 |
| D | English Comprehension | 15 | 30 |
| E | Mathematical Abilities | 15 | 30 |
| F | Computer Proficiency | 15 | 30 |
| Total | All Subjects | 100 | 200 |
Important information about difficulty levels: Parts A, B, and D are at graduation level. Parts C, E, and F are at Class 10 level. This is officially stated in the JKSSB syllabus. Use this to your advantage when deciding how deep to study each section.
Reasoning and General Awareness together make up 80 marks – that is 40% of the entire paper. These two sections deserve the most time in your preparation schedule.
Complete Subject-Wise Syllabus for JKSSB SI
Part A: General Intelligence & Reasoning – 40 Marks
This section tests logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving ability. The topics are fully learnable with consistent practice. Unlike GK which requires memorization, reasoning rewards daily practice and pattern recognition.
| Topic | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Analogies | Semantic, symbolic, figural relationships |
| Classifications | Number, figural, and semantic groupings |
| Series | Number, figural, and semantic patterns |
| Coding and Decoding | Letter and number codes |
| Number Series | Arithmetic and geometric patterns |
| Space Visualization | Mental rotation and orientation |
| Venn Diagrams | Logical relationships between sets |
| Statement-Conclusion | Drawing inferences from premises |
| Syllogistic Reasoning | Logical deductions from statements |
| Figural Pattern | Pattern folding and completion |
| Embedded Figures | Finding shapes within complex figures |
| Critical Thinking | Decision making and evaluation |
| Emotional Intelligence | Social and emotional reasoning |
Preparation tip for Reasoning: This section rewards consistent daily practice. Spend 20 to 30 minutes on reasoning puzzles every day. After two months of this routine, reasoning will become your strongest section.
Part B: General Awareness – 40 Marks (with Special Reference to J&K)
This section has a strong J&K angle – similar to the FAA examination. Questions about J&K’s history, administrative structure, the 2019 Reorganisation Act, geography, famous personalities, and culture appear regularly.
| Topic Category | Specific Areas to Cover |
|---|---|
| History | J&K history from Dogra period to present |
| Culture | Festivals, folk arts, heritage sites |
| Geography | Rivers, mountains, passes, lakes, districts |
| Economics | Horticulture, handicrafts, tourism, schemes |
| Reorganisation Act 2019 | What changed, administrative structure, LG powers |
| Current Affairs | J&K-specific news and developments |
| National GK | Indian history, polity, geography, national current affairs |
| Sports | National and international events |
| Science | Basic scientific research and discoveries |
Preparation tip for General Awareness: A student who has studied J&K specifically will always score higher here. Read a J&K-focused GK book alongside a standard national GK reference. Cover the Reorganisation Act in detail – what changed, what stayed the same, the new structure of districts and divisions. This topic comes up repeatedly in JKSSB examinations.
Part C: Quantitative Aptitude – 30 Marks (Class 10 Level)
This section tests basic mathematical ability at the Class 10 level. Do not overthink the difficulty. Speed and accuracy matter more than depth here.
| Topic | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Whole Numbers | Basic operations and properties |
| Decimals | Operations and conversions |
| Fractions | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division |
| Percentages | Calculation, increase, decrease, applications |
| Ratio and Proportion | Comparison and division in ratios |
| Square Roots | Calculation and simplification |
| Averages | Mean calculation |
| Simple Interest | Formula-based problems |
| Compound Interest | Annual and half-yearly compounding |
| Profit and Loss | Cost price, selling price, discounts |
| Partnership | Profit sharing ratios |
| Mixture and Alligation | Mixing quantities and price calculation |
| Time and Distance | Speed, distance, time relationships |
| Time and Work | Efficiency and completion time |
Preparation tip for Quantitative Aptitude: This is Class 10 mathematics. Practice solving each type of problem until you can do it in under 60 seconds. Speed is the differentiator in this section.
Part D: English Comprehension – 30 Marks (Graduation Level)
The comprehension section is at graduation level. The passages can be complex and require good reading speed. This cannot be crammed in the last week.
| Topic | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Spot the Error | Identifying grammatical mistakes |
| Fill in the Blanks | Choosing correct words |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | Word meanings and opposites |
| Spelling Correction | Identifying correctly spelled words |
| Idioms and Phrases | Understanding common expressions |
| One-Word Substitution | Replacing phrases with single words |
| Sentence Improvement | Correcting awkward constructions |
| Active and Passive Voice | Converting between voices |
| Direct and Indirect Narration | Converting speech formats |
| Sentence Shuffling | Ordering jumbled sentences |
| Cloze Passage | Filling blanks in a passage |
| Reading Comprehension | Answering questions based on passages (at least 3 passages – one simple, two from editorials) |
Preparation tip for English: Build your reading speed and comprehension over months. Read English editorials daily. The Hindu or Greater Kashmir’s English edition both work well for this. Focus on understanding the main argument of a passage quickly – not word-by-word reading.
Part E: Mathematical Abilities – 30 Marks (Class 10 Level)
This section covers algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and statistics. All topics are at Class 10 difficulty level. Do not skip any topic assuming it is too hard.
| Topic | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Basic Algebra | Identities, elementary surds, linear equation graphs |
| Geometry | Triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, polygons |
| Mensuration | Areas and volumes of standard shapes |
| Trigonometry | Basic ratios, height and distance problems |
| Statistics | Mean, median, mode, standard deviation, data interpretation |
Preparation tip for Mathematical Abilities: Trigonometry and mensuration together usually account for a good portion of this section. Do not skip them. At Class 10 level, these topics are straightforward with regular practice.
Part F: Computer Proficiency – 30 Marks (Class 10 Level)
This section is fully scorable with basic preparation. If you use a computer regularly, most of this will be familiar.
| Topic | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Basic Hardware | CPU, memory, storage devices |
| Basic Software | Operating systems, applications |
| MS Office | Word, Excel, PowerPoint basics |
| Internet | Browsing, email, protocols |
| Operating Systems | Windows basics |
| Input/Output Devices | Types and functions |
| E-Governance | IT in government services |
| Cyber Security | Basics, safe internet use |
Preparation tip for Computer Proficiency: Spend a few focused sessions on e-governance concepts and cyber security basics. These topics are sometimes tested specifically and are not covered in basic computer books.
Physical Standard Test (PST) Requirements
The PST does not add marks to your score. However, failing it ends your candidacy immediately. Know the requirements before exam day.
For Male Candidates
| Parameter | General Category | Reserved Categories / Hilly Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Height (Minimum) | 167.5 cm | 165 cm |
| Chest (Unexpanded) | 81 cm | 79 cm |
| Chest (Expanded) | 86 cm | 84 cm |
| Minimum Expansion | 5 cm | 5 cm |
For Female Candidates
| Parameter | General Category | Reserved Categories / Hilly Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Height (Minimum) | 153 cm | 150 cm |
| Chest Measurement | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Requirements
The PET is also a qualifying round with no marks. Specific time limits are mentioned in the official notification. Check the current standards on jkssb.nic.in.
| Candidate Type | Test |
|---|---|
| Male Candidates | 1600 metres run (within specified time) |
| Female Candidates | 800 metres run (within specified time) |
Preparation tip for physical tests: Running, exercise, and building stamina take months of consistent effort. Do not leave PST and PET preparation for the last few weeks. Start physical training alongside your academic preparation.
Preparation Strategy for JKSSB Sub-Inspector
Start with Reasoning. It carries 40 marks, it is fully learnable, and improvement comes fast with daily practice. This should be your confidence-builder from day one.
Treat General Awareness as two separate subjects. First study national-level GK – Indian history, polity, geography, current affairs. Then separately study J&K GK with dedicated focus. Do not mix them, or you will end up with shallow knowledge of both.
Do not ignore English. Thirty marks at graduation level means the comprehension passages can be genuinely challenging. Build your reading speed and comprehension over months – this cannot be crammed in the last week.
For Maths and Quantitative Aptitude – both are Class 10 level. One dedicated month of daily practice is enough. Focus on speed, not complexity.
Manage the negative marking carefully. At 0.5 per wrong answer, the penalty is steep. If you are unsure between three or four options and have no logical basis to eliminate any, skip the question. If you can eliminate two options, attempt – the odds favor you.
Start physical preparation now. Running, exercise, and building stamina take months. Do not leave PST and PET preparation for the last few weeks.
| Subject | Priority | Preparation Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | Highest | Daily puzzles, pattern recognition |
| General Awareness | Highest | J&K GK + national GK separately |
| English | High | Daily reading, comprehension practice |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Medium | Speed practice, Class 10 level |
| Mathematical Abilities | Medium | Do not skip trigonometry and mensuration |
| Computer Proficiency | Low-Medium | 2-3 focused weeks, then weekly revision |
Exam Date for JKSSB Sub-Inspector 2026
The JKPSI written examination for the 669 vacancies (Notification No. 2 of 2024) is scheduled for June 2026. This gives you a defined target for your preparation timeline. Plan your study schedule backward from this date.
JKSSB Sub-Inspector Recruitment 2026 FAQs
How many vacancies are available for JKSSB Sub-Inspector 2026?
There are 669 vacancies for the Sub-Inspector post in J&K Police under Notification No. 2 of 2024.
What is the pay scale for JKSSB Sub-Inspector?
The pay scale is Level-6C with a range of ₹35,700 to ₹1,13,100 per month.
What is the negative marking for JKSSB SI exam?
The negative marking is 0.5 marks per wrong answer. This is double the penalty of the FAA exam.
Are PST and PET qualifying or marking rounds?
Both PST and PET are qualifying rounds only (Pass/Fail) . They do not add marks to your score. However, failing either disqualifies you.
What is the difference between Quantitative Aptitude and Mathematical Abilities?
Both are Class 10 level. Quantitative Aptitude focuses on arithmetic (percentages, profit/loss, time/work). Mathematical Abilities covers algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, and statistics.
Is J&K GK tested in the General Awareness section?
Yes, there is heavy emphasis on J&K-specific GK – history, geography, culture, economy, and the Reorganisation Act 2019.
When is the JKSSB SI 2026 exam scheduled?
The written examination is scheduled for June 2026. Check jkssb.nic.in for the exact date.
JKSSB Sub-Inspector Recruitment 2026 Conclusion
The JKSSB Sub-Inspector recruitment for 2026 offers 669 permanent positions in J&K Police. The post carries a Level-6C pay scale of ₹35,700 to ₹1,13,100. The selection process has four stages: written examination (200 marks), Physical Standard Test (qualifying), Physical Efficiency Test (qualifying), and Medical Examination.
The written examination has 100 questions for 200 marks with 2 hours duration. Negative marking is 0.5 per wrong answer – double the penalty of other JKSSB exams. The marks distribution is: Reasoning (40 marks), General Awareness (40 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (30 marks), English Comprehension (30 marks), Mathematical Abilities (30 marks), and Computer Proficiency (30 marks).
Reasoning and General Awareness together carry 80 marks (40% of the paper). These two sections deserve the most preparation time. General Awareness requires separate study of J&K GK – history, geography, culture, economy, and the Reorganisation Act 2019. National GK resources alone are insufficient.
The physical standards for male candidates require minimum height of 167.5 cm (General) or 165 cm (reserved). Chest requirements are 81 cm unexpanded and 86 cm expanded with 5 cm expansion. Female candidates need minimum 153 cm height (General) or 150 cm (reserved). The PET requires 1600 metres run for males and 800 metres for females within specified times.
Start physical preparation alongside academic preparation. Building stamina takes months. For the written exam, prioritize Reasoning and General Awareness. Practice mathematics for speed, not complexity. Read English editorials daily for comprehension. With the exam scheduled for June 2026, start your structured preparation now. Check jkssb.nic.in for the official syllabus PDF and exact exam date.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the official JKSSB notification for Sub-Inspector recruitment as of 2026. Candidates should always check the official JKSSB website (jkssb.nic.in) for the most current and accurate information regarding syllabuses, exam patterns, physical standards, and exam dates for their specific recruitment notification.
