The JKSSB Sub-Inspector recruitment is one of the most competitive government job exams in Jammu & Kashmir. 669 vacancies, a Level-6C pay scale of ₹35,700 to ₹1,13,100 per month, and a permanent position in J&K Police — the stakes are high and so is the competition.
But here is the thing most candidates get wrong: they prepare for a generic police SI exam when JKPSI has its own specific pattern, its own marks distribution, and its own quirks. This guide breaks it all down using the official JKSSB syllabus so you know exactly what you are walking into.
Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | JKSSB (Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board) |
| Post | 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 |
One important note: the negative marking here is 0.5 per wrong answer — double what it is in the FAA exam. This matters for your exam strategy. Wild guessing will cost you significantly.
Selection Process
Getting selected as a JKPSI is not just about clearing a written exam. The full selection process has four stages:
- Written Examination — 200 marks, objective type
- Physical Standard Test (PST) — qualifying only, no marks
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — qualifying only, no marks
- Medical Examination — final stage
The PST and PET do not add to your score — they are pass/fail. But if you fail either, you are out regardless of your written exam score. Start physical preparation alongside your academic preparation, not after.
Marks Distribution — Subject Wise
| 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 | 100 | 200 |
Important: 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 syllabus — use this to your advantage when deciding how deep to study each section.
Reasoning and General Awareness together make up 80 marks — 40% of the entire paper. These two sections deserve the most time in your preparation schedule.
Complete Subject-wise Syllabus
Part A: General Intelligence & Reasoning — 40 Marks
This section tests logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving ability. Topics include:
- Analogies (semantic, symbolic, figural)
- Classifications and series (number, figural, semantic)
- Coding and decoding
- Number series and arithmetic reasoning
- Space visualization and orientation
- Venn diagrams
- Drawing inferences and statement-conclusion
- Syllogistic reasoning
- Figural pattern folding and completion
- Embedded figures
- Critical thinking and decision making
- Emotional and social intelligence
Tip: This section is fully learnable with practice. Unlike GK which requires memorisation, reasoning rewards consistent daily practice. 20–30 minutes of reasoning puzzles every day for two months will make this section your strongest.
Part B: General Awareness — 40 Marks
With special reference to J&K
Topics covered: History, Culture, Geography, Economics, General Policy (India and J&K specifically), Sports, Science and Scientific Research, Current Affairs, and People in News.
The J&K angle here is critical — just like in the FAA exam. Questions about J&K’s history, administrative structure, the 2019 Reorganisation Act, geography, famous personalities, and culture appear regularly. A student who has studied J&K specifically will always score higher here than one who has only read national-level GK books.
Tip: Read a J&K-focused GK book alongside a standard GK reference. Cover the Reorganisation Act in detail — what changed, what stayed the same, the new structure of districts and divisions. This comes up repeatedly in JKSSB exams.
Part C: Quantitative Aptitude — 30 Marks (Class 10 level)
Topics:
- Whole numbers, decimals, fractions
- Percentages
- Ratio and proportion
- Square roots and averages
- Simple and compound interest
- Profit and loss, discount
- Partnership problems
- Mixture and alligation
- Time and distance, time and work
Tip: This is Class 10 maths — do not overthink it. Speed and accuracy matter more than depth here. Practice solving each type of problem until you can do it in under a minute.
Part D: English Comprehension — 30 Marks (Graduation level)
Topics:
- Spot the error
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms, antonyms, homonyms
- Spelling correction
- Idioms and phrases
- One-word substitution
- Sentence improvement
- Active and passive voice
- Direct and indirect narration
- Shuffling of sentences and passage
- Cloze passage
- Comprehension passages (at least three — one simple, two from current affairs/editorials)
Tip: The comprehension section is at graduation level — the passages can be complex. Practice reading 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)
Topics:
- Basic algebra — identities, elementary surds, graphs of linear equations
- Geometry — triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, regular polygons
- Mensuration — areas and volumes of standard shapes
- Trigonometry — basic ratios, height and distance problems
- Statistics — mean, median, mode, standard deviation, data interpretation
Tip: Trigonometry and mensuration together usually account for a good chunk of this section. Don’t skip them thinking they are hard — at Class 10 level, these are straightforward with practice.
Part F: Computer Proficiency — 30 Marks (Class 10 level)
Topics:
- Basic computer hardware and software concepts
- MS Office — Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Internet, email, and browsing basics
- Operating systems (Windows basics)
- Input/output devices
- E-governance and IT in government services
- Cyber security basics and safe internet use
Tip: 15 questions for 30 marks — this section is fully scorable with basic preparation. If you use a computer regularly, most of this is already familiar. Spend a few focused sessions on e-governance concepts and cyber security basics, which are sometimes tested specifically.
Physical Standard Test (PST) Requirements
While PST does not add marks, failing it ends your candidacy. Know the requirements before exam day:
For Male Candidates:
- Height: 167.5 cm (General) / 165 cm (reserved categories, hilly areas)
- Chest: 81 cm (unexpanded), 86 cm (expanded) — minimum 5 cm expansion
For Female Candidates:
- Height: 153 cm (General) / 150 cm (reserved categories, hilly areas)
Physical Efficiency Test (PET):
- 1600 metres run for males
- 800 metres run for females
- Specific time limits apply (check official notification for current standards)
Preparation Strategy
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. 30 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 favour you.
Start physical preparation now. Running, exercise, and building stamina take months. Do not leave PST/PET preparation for the last few weeks.
Exam Date
The JKPSI written examination for the 669 vacancies (Notification No. 2 of 2024) is scheduled for June 2026. This gives you a defined target — plan your preparation timeline accordingly.
Official Resources
- JKSSB Official Website: jkssb.nic.in
- Official SI Syllabus PDF: Available under the Syllabus section on jkssb.nic.in
Always verify dates and any syllabus updates directly from the official JKSSB website before your exam.