CAPF (AC): syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility
Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination. Recruitment of Assistant Commandants (Group A) in five Central Armed Police Forces: Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Both men and women can apply. UPSC conducts the written test and the interview; the Ministry of Home Affairs' nominated force runs the physical and medical tests.
- Category
- Civil Services & Defence
- Conducted by
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC); physical and medical tests by the Nodal Force nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (SSB for the 2026 examination)
- Level
- Recruitment
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Mode
- Pen & paper (OMR objective Paper I; handwritten conventional Paper II)
- Languages
- English, Hindi
- Application fee
- Rs 200 for General, OBC and EWS male candidates (2026 notice); women of all categories and SC/ST candidates pay nothing. Fee is not refundable.
Eligibility
- Education: A Bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature, or an institution deemed a university under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, or an equivalent qualification. Final-year candidates may apply but must produce proof of passing within the time limit in the Rules, after they qualify the written part. NCC 'B' or 'C' certificate is desirable (considered at interview only).
- Age: 20 to 25 years on 1 August 2026 (born between 2 Aug 2001 and 1 Aug 2006). Upper limit relaxed up to 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 5 years for civilian Central Government servants and ex-servicemen (government-service relaxation capped at 5 years in total).
- Nationality: Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan. Men and women are both eligible. A candidate already finally selected as Assistant Commandant through an earlier CAPF (ACs) examination cannot appear again.
Exam pattern
Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence
120 min · 125 questions · 250 marks
- General Mental Ability
- General Science
- Current Events of National and International Importance
- Indian Polity and Economy
- History of India
- Indian and World Geography
Paper II: General Studies, Essay and Comprehension
180 min · 6 questions · 200 marks
- Part A: Essay, 80 marks
- Part B: Comprehension, precis writing and other communication/language skills, 120 marks
Physical Standards Tests and Physical Efficiency Tests (qualifying)
- Physical Standards (minimum)
- 100 metre race
- 800 metre race
- Long jump
- Shot put (7.26 kg)
Interview/Personality Test
150 marks
Syllabus
Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence
General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events of National and International Importance, Indian Polity and Economy, History of India, Indian and World Geography
Paper II: General Studies, Essay and Comprehension
Part A: Essay (80 marks), Part B: Comprehension and language skills (120 marks, English only)
Important dates (2025 (last finished cycle; the 2026 cycle is at the PST/PET stage))
- Examination notice (No. 09/2025-CAPF): 2025-03-05
- Last date for applications: 2025-03-25
- Written examination (Paper I and Paper II): 2025-08-03
- Written result: qualified for PST/PET: 2025-10-10
- Interview/Personality Test starts: 2026-05-04
- Interview/Personality Test ends: 2026-05-29
- Final result (350 recommended): 2026-08-07
Selection process
Written examination (Paper I 250 marks, Paper II 200 marks; Paper II is marked only if the Paper I minimum is met) -> PST/PET for written-qualified candidates (qualifying, run by the Nodal Force) -> Interview/Personality Test of 150 marks by UPSC -> Medical Standards Tests for those interviewed. The merit list uses written marks plus interview marks (out of 600). Force allocation follows merit rank and the force preferences given in the application; the Government of India makes the appointments.
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Frequently asked questions
What is CAPF (AC)?
CAPF (AC) stands for Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination. Recruitment of Assistant Commandants (Group A) in five Central Armed Police Forces: Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Both men and women can apply. UPSC conducts the written test and the interview; the Ministry of Home Affairs' nominated force runs the physical and medical tests. It is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC); physical and medical tests by the Nodal Force nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (SSB for the 2026 examination). Level: Recruitment.
Who is eligible for CAPF (AC)?
Education: A Bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature, or an institution deemed a university under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, or an equivalent qualification. Final-year candidates may apply but must produce proof of passing within the time limit in the Rules, after they qualify the written part. NCC 'B' or 'C' certificate is desirable (considered at interview only). Age limit: 20 to 25 years on 1 August 2026 (born between 2 Aug 2001 and 1 Aug 2006). Upper limit relaxed up to 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 5 years for civilian Central Government servants and ex-servicemen (government-service relaxation capped at 5 years in total). Nationality: Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan. Men and women are both eligible. A candidate already finally selected as Assistant Commandant through an earlier CAPF (ACs) examination cannot appear again.
What is the exam pattern of CAPF (AC)?
Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence: 120 minutes, 125 questions, 250 marks. Paper II: General Studies, Essay and Comprehension: 180 minutes, 6 questions, 200 marks. Interview/Personality Test: 150 marks. Mode: Pen & paper (OMR objective Paper I; handwritten conventional Paper II).
How often is CAPF (AC) held?
Once a year.
When is CAPF (AC) held?
2025 (last finished cycle; the 2026 cycle is at the PST/PET stage) cycle: Examination notice (No. 09/2025-CAPF) 2025-03-05; Last date for applications 2025-03-25; Written examination (Paper I and Paper II) 2025-08-03; Written result: qualified for PST/PET 2025-10-10; Interview/Personality Test starts 2026-05-04; Interview/Personality Test ends 2026-05-29.
How are candidates selected through CAPF (AC)?
Written examination (Paper I 250 marks, Paper II 200 marks; Paper II is marked only if the Paper I minimum is met) -> PST/PET for written-qualified candidates (qualifying, run by the Nodal Force) -> Interview/Personality Test of 150 marks by UPSC -> Medical Standards Tests for those interviewed. The merit list uses written marks plus interview marks (out of 600). Force allocation follows merit rank and the force preferences given in the application; the Government of India makes the appointments.
What is the application fee for CAPF (AC)?
Rs 200 for General, OBC and EWS male candidates (2026 notice); women of all categories and SC/ST candidates pay nothing. Fee is not refundable.
Compiled from public sources, last checked 2026-10-04. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the official website before you apply.