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Defence

UPSC CAPF AC 2026

Union Public Service Commission

Mode

Online + Offline

Level

Graduate

Vacancies

300+

Fee

₹200 (Gen/OBC), ₹0 (SC/ST/Female)

Key dates

Notification

Jan 2026

Application Last Date

Apr 2026

Written Exam

Aug 2026

Physical/Medical Test

Nov 2026

Interview

Jan 2027

Eligibility

  • Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university
  • Age limit: 20 to 25 years (relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/Ex-SM as per rules)
  • Male candidates must be unmarried at the time of application
  • Physically and mentally fit as per CAPF standards
  • Indian citizenship mandatory

Syllabus

  • General Ability and Intelligence
  • General Studies and Essay
  • Defence and Security Studies
  • Indian Polity and Constitution
  • Current Affairs and International Relations
  • Essay Writing

Exam Pattern

  • Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence (125 questions, 250 marks, 2 hours)
  • Paper II: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension (Descriptive, 200 marks, 3 hours)
  • Physical/Medical Standards Test for written-qualified candidates
  • Personality Test / Interview (150 marks) as final stage
  • Negative marking of 0.833 marks per wrong answer in Paper I

Exam overview

UPSC CAPF AC 2026 (Central Armed Police Forces Assistant Commandant) recruits Group A gazetted officers for BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB — India's five central paramilitary forces. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, it is one of the most coveted paramilitary officer entries, offering a starting salary of Pay Level 10 (Rs. 56,100/month basic) with free accommodation and paramilitary allowances.

Preparation requires strong focus on General Studies, Essay writing, and current defence and security affairs. The two-stage written exam (objective Paper I + descriptive Paper II) tests analytical ability, followed by a physical/medical test and a personality interview. Candidates should build reading habits from newspapers, NCERT books, and defence/security journals. The final merit list is based on all three stages combined.

Preparation tip

Start with the syllabus topics listed above, then practice timed mock tests and revise previous year questions weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility for UPSC CAPF AC 2026?▼
Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Age limit is 20 to 25 years for general category, with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC and Ex-Servicemen. Male candidates must be unmarried at the time of applying.
What is the salary for UPSC CAPF AC?▼
CAPF Assistant Commandants are placed at Pay Level 10 with a basic salary of Rs. 56,100 per month as per the 7th Pay Commission. Total compensation including paramilitary allowances, free accommodation, and other perks ranges from Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 1.2 lakh per month.
What is the UPSC CAPF AC exam pattern?▼
The exam has two papers: Paper I is objective (125 questions, 250 marks, 2 hours) testing General Ability and Intelligence with negative marking. Paper II is descriptive (200 marks, 3 hours) testing General Studies and Essay writing. Qualified candidates face Physical/Medical Test and a 150-mark Interview.
Which forces can I join through UPSC CAPF AC?▼
CAPF AC recruits officers for BSF (Border Security Force), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), and SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal). Allocation depends on the merit list and vacancy distribution.
What is the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 notification date?▼
The UPSC CAPF AC 2026 notification is expected in January 2026 with the application deadline around April 2026. The written examination is scheduled for August 2026. Candidates should monitor the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in for exact dates.