CAPF

Overview

The Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, commonly called CAPF (AC), is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select Group A Assistant Commandants for five forces: the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). For the 2026 exam (Notice No. 08/2026-CAPF), UPSC notified 349 vacancies in total — 108 in BSF, 106 in CRPF, 12 in ITBP, 53 in SSB and 70 in CISF — with 10% of vacancies reserved for Ex-servicemen. The Commission treats these numbers as tentative and subject to change.

Who can apply

For the 2026 exam, a candidate must be 20 to 25 years old as on 1 August 2026, i.e. born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006. The upper age limit is relaxable by up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates, up to 3 years for OBC candidates, and up to 5 years for civilian Central Government servants (including Ex-servicemen) under standard government relaxation rules. Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature, or an equivalent qualification. Candidates awaiting their final-year result may also apply, subject to producing proof of the degree at a later stage.

Selection process

The process has four stages: a written examination (Paper I and Paper II), Physical Standards Tests and a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) for those who qualify, an Interview/Personality Test, and a Medical Standards Test.

Exam pattern

For the 2026 exam, Paper I was held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and Paper II from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the same day (19 July 2026). Paper II is evaluated only for candidates who clear the minimum qualifying marks fixed by the Commission for Paper I.

Physical Efficiency Test

For 2026, men had to complete a 100-metre race in 16 seconds, an 800-metre race in 3 minutes 45 seconds, and a long jump of 3.5 metres (3 chances); women had to complete the 100-metre race in 18 seconds, the 800-metre race in 4 minutes 45 seconds, and a long jump of 3.0 metres (3 chances).

Marking

Paper I carries negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, and multiple answers to a question are treated as wrong.

Important dates

For the 2026 exam, UPSC issued the notification on 20 February 2026, the application window closed on 12 March 2026, and the written examination was held on 19 July 2026.

Fees

The examination fee is Rs 200. Female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempt from the fee. Fees, once paid, are not refunded.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online at upsconline.nic.in through the Common Application Form and an exam-specific module, where candidates also indicate their preference of Service/Force.

After selection

Candidates who clear all stages are allotted to one of the five forces based on merit and preference, and undergo foundational and force-specific training before being commissioned as Assistant Commandants. Possession of an NCC 'B' or 'C' Certificate is a desirable qualification considered at the Interview/Personality Test stage.

Preparation tips

Because Paper I is evaluated first and Paper II is checked only for those who clear the Paper I cutoff, prioritise accuracy and speed on the objective paper before investing heavily in essay and comprehension practice. Physical Efficiency Test standards are fixed and known in advance, so building 100m/800m timing and long-jump distance well ahead of the written result helps, since the physical stage follows soon after.