UPSC CAPF AC 2026 Notification — 349 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Date & Apply Online

What is UPSC CAPF AC Exam?

The UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) Assistant Commandant Examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit Group A officers for India's paramilitary forces. Selected candidates serve as Assistant Commandants in BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, and ITBP, holding leadership and operational responsibilities in border security, internal security, and industrial security.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

A total of 349 tentative vacancies have been announced across five Central Armed Police Forces:

The number of vacancies is tentative and may change as per official decision. 10% of posts are reserved for ex-servicemen.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026)

• Minimum Age: 20 years
• Maximum Age: 25 years
• Candidates must have been born not earlier than 2 August 2001 and not later than 1 August 2006

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree (Graduation) in any stream from a recognised university
• Final-year students can also apply, provided they complete the degree within the required time

Nationality

• Must be a citizen of India

Application Fee

Payment Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the official UPSC portal at upsconline.nic.in
2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already done — generate your Universal Registration Number (URN)
3. Log in using your OTR ID/credentials
4. Click on "Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination 2026" under active examinations
5. Fill in personal, educational, and communication details
6. Choose your preferred exam centre
7. Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications
8. Pay the application fee online
9. Review all details carefully and submit the form
10. Download and print the confirmation page for future reference

Note: Application is fully online. No offline applications are accepted.

Selection Process

The selection for CAPF AC 2026 consists of the following stages:

1. Written Examination (Paper I & Paper II) — 19 July 2026
2. Physical Standards Test (PST) — Height, Chest measurements
3. Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — Running, Long Jump, Shot Put
4. Medical Examination
5. Final Merit List

Exam Pattern

Paper I — General Ability and Intelligence

• Duration: 2 hours (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
• Marks: 250
• Type: Objective (MCQ)
• Sections: General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Affairs, Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Indian History, Geography

Paper II — General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension

• Duration: 3 hours (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
• Marks: 200
• Type: Descriptive
• Sections: Essay writing, Précis writing, Comprehension, English communication skills

Negative Marking: Applicable in Paper I (one-third of marks for wrong answers)

Physical Standards

Note: Relaxations in physical standards apply for certain categories as per government rules.

Syllabus (Brief Overview)

Paper I (Objective)

• General Mental Ability: Reasoning, Analytical ability, Number series, Coding-Decoding
• General Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (up to Class 10 level)
• Current Affairs: National and international events, Sports, Awards
• Indian Polity: Constitution, Governance, Panchayati Raj
• Indian Economy: Planning, Budget, Banking, Economic concepts
• History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, Freedom Movement
• Geography: Indian and World Geography, Physical, Economic

Paper II (Descriptive)

• Essay on current social, economic, or political topics
• Précis writing
• Reading comprehension passages
• English language and communication skills

Preparation Tips

1. Start with NCERT books for History, Geography, Polity, and Science — they form the foundation for Paper I
2. Practice previous year papers — CAPF AC exam pattern has been consistent, so past papers give the best preparation strategy
3. Focus on descriptive writing — Paper II tests essay and comprehension skills, so practice writing structured essays within time limits
4. Stay updated with current affairs — Read newspapers daily and maintain monthly notes for the last 6 months
5. Physical fitness is non-negotiable — Start your fitness routine early; running, long jump, and shot put require consistent practice

FAQs

Q: What is the last date to apply for UPSC CAPF AC 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 12 March 2026 (6:00 PM). No applications will be accepted after the deadline.

Q: How many vacancies are there in UPSC CAPF AC 2026?

A total of 349 tentative vacancies have been announced across BSF (108), CRPF (106), CISF (70), SSB (53), and ITBP (12).

Q: What is the educational qualification required for CAPF AC?

A Bachelor's Degree in any stream from a recognised university is required. Final-year students can also apply.

Q: What is the exam date for UPSC CAPF AC 2026?

The written examination is scheduled for 19 July 2026 in two sessions — Paper I (10 AM–12 PM) and Paper II (2 PM–5 PM).

Q: Is there negative marking in CAPF AC exam?

Yes, negative marking applies in Paper I (objective). One-third of the marks allotted to the question will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Q: What is the age limit for CAPF AC 2026?

Candidates must be between 20 and 25 years as on 1 August 2026. Age relaxation is available for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), and other eligible categories.

Q: Can female candidates apply for CAPF AC?

Yes, both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. Female candidates are exempted from the application fee.

Important Links

• Official Notification PDF
• Apply Online
• UPSC Official Website