UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants Exam Date 2026 Out - Check Timetable, Schedule & Key Details
Job Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
Important Dates, Fees & How to Apply
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Important Dates & Fees
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 17 Jun 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 17 Jun 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | Refer notification |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | Same as last date |
| Total Vacancies | As per notification |
| Application Fee | General / OBC: ₹100–₹500. SC / ST / PwD / Women: Usually exempt. Refer notification for exact amount. |
| Mode of Payment | Online — UPI / Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card |
| Mode of Application | Online only via the official portal listed above |
Step-by-step: How to apply online
Read the official notification PDF first.
Before filling any form, download and read the full notification published by UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants Exam Date 2026 Out - Check . It carries the binding eligibility criteria, age-relaxation table, fee structure, exam pattern, and the syllabus. The detailed page above is a clean summary — the PDF is the legal document.Confirm you meet eligibility.
Check your age (as on the cut-off date stated in the notification), educational qualification, and category-specific reservations. Many candidates fill the form and lose the fee because their qualification did not match exactly.Keep documents ready before opening the form.
Scanned passport-size photo (recent, white background), signature, left-thumb impression, 10th certificate, qualifying degree, caste/EWS/PwD certificate if applicable, and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID). Use 100% scale and the file-size limits the portal specifies.Open the official application portal.
Use only the official application URL: upsc.gov.in. Never apply through a Telegram / WhatsApp forwarded link — those are scams.Register, then log in.
Most portals require a one-time registration with your name, mobile, email and a password. Save the registration number — you will need it for every future login, admit-card download and result check.Fill the form carefully.
Personal details, educational qualification, communication address, category, and preferences. Cross-check each field. After final submission, most portals lock the form and corrections cost an extra fee.Pay the application fee online.
Use UPI, net-banking, debit / credit card. Keep the transaction receipt; some portals require you to upload the receipt before downloading the admit card.Submit & save the confirmation.
Save the final PDF acknowledgement and your registration number. Last-day submissions frequently fail because of portal overload — do not wait.
Source verified by the hireds.in editorial team. For the official notification, always visit the recruiter portal listed at the top of this page. Editorial policy.
Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Assistant Commandant (AC) examination annually to recruit officers for paramilitary forces including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. This examination is one of the premier All India services exams that selects candidates for Group 'A' gazetted officer positions in India's central armed police forces. Assistant Commandants are responsible for leading operations, maintaining internal security, border management, and disaster response across the country. The exam consists of a written test followed by physical standards test, physical efficiency test, interview, and medical examination. Selected candidates undergo training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad before being commissioned as Assistant Commandants with the starting pay scale of Level-10 in the 7th Pay Commission matrix.
Important Dates
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | March 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release (Written Exam) | July 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | August 2026 |
| PST/PET Dates | November-December 2026 |
| Interview/Personality Test | January-February 2027 |
| Final Result Declaration | April-May 2027 |
Note: Dates are indicative based on typical UPSC CAPF AC examination schedule
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Details (Typical / Indicative)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 110-130 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 60-70 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 35-45 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 20-25 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 20-25 |
| Total | 250-300 |
Actual vacancy numbers vary yearly and are announced in the official notification. The above figures represent typical vacancy ranges for UPSC CAPF AC recruitment.
Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Minimum Requirement: Bachelor's degree from a recognized University
- Any discipline of graduation is acceptable (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medical, etc.)
- Candidates appearing in the final year/semester examination can also apply provisionally
- Degree must be recognized by UGC or equivalent regulatory body
- Professional degrees like MBBS, B.Tech, CA, CS are also eligible
Age Limit
Age as on August 01, 2026:
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 years |
| Maximum Age | 25 years |
| Date of Birth Range | August 02, 2001 to August 01, 2006 |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (UR) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service |
| Defence Personnel (Disabled in operations) | 3 years |
| Central Government Civilian Employees | 5 years (up to 40 years for General candidates) |
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of India
- Candidates from Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible
- Subject of Sikkim is eligible
- Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) with intention of permanent settlement in India are eligible
How to Apply
How to Apply
- Visit Official Website: Go to https://upsconline.nic.in or https://upsc.gov.in
- Part-I Registration: Click on 'Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC' and select CAPF AC examination. Fill in basic details including name, date of birth, email ID, mobile number, and create password
- Part-II Registration: Log in with credentials and complete detailed application form with educational qualifications, category, choice of forces, exam center preferences, and upload scanned documents
- Document Upload: Upload recent color photograph (20-50 KB, JPG format), signature (10-20 KB), and ID proof (50-300 KB) as per specifications mentioned in notification
- Fee Payment: Pay application fee online through SBI Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. Alternative offline payment through SBI Challan is also available
- Submit Application: Review all filled details carefully and click 'Final Submit'. Take printout of complete application form and fee receipt for future reference
- Confirmation: Note down the Registration ID and save confirmation email/SMS received after successful submission
Application Fees
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS (Male) | ₹200 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
| Bank Charges | Additional charges as applicable |
Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances
Selection Process
Selection Procedure
The UPSC CAPF AC selection process comprises multiple stages:
- Written Examination: Computer-based objective type test covering General Ability & Intelligence and General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension papers. Only candidates securing minimum qualifying marks proceed to next stage.
- Physical Standards Test (PST): Candidates are checked for minimum height (Male: 165 cm, Female: 157 cm), chest measurement (Male: 80-85 cm), and weight standards as per medical guidelines. This is a qualifying test.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Male candidates must complete 5 km race in 24 minutes and female candidates 1.6 km race in 8.30 minutes. Candidates from hilly/tribal areas get relaxed standards. This is qualifying in nature.
- Interview/Personality Test: UPSC board conducts personality assessment of 150 marks testing candidate's suitability for leadership role, communication skills, general awareness, decision-making ability, and mental alertness.
- Document Verification: Original certificates of educational qualification, age proof, category certificate, and other documents are verified at the time of interview.
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME): Final selected candidates undergo comprehensive medical examination by designated medical board to ensure physical and mental fitness for paramilitary service including eye test, ECG, X-ray, blood tests etc.
- Final Merit List: Based on combined marks of written exam and interview, final merit list is prepared category-wise and candidates are allocated to BSF/CRPF/CISF/ITBP/SSB based on their rank and preference.
Exam Pattern
Examination Scheme
Paper-I: General Ability and Intelligence
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Ability and Intelligence | 125 | 250 | 2 hours |
Negative Marking: 0.66 marks deducted for each wrong answer (1/3rd penalty)
Paper-II: General Studies, Essay and Comprehension
| Section | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies | Objective (MCQ) | 200 | 2 hours (Part A: 1 hour 20 minutes) |
| Essay | Descriptive | 60 | Part B: 40 minutes (combined) |
| Comprehension | Descriptive | 40 | Part B: 40 minutes (combined) |
Negative Marking for General Studies (MCQ): 0.66 marks deducted for each wrong answer
No Negative Marking: For Essay and Comprehension sections
Total Written Exam Marks: 250 + 200 + 60 + 40 = 550 marks
Interview Marks: 150 marks
Grand Total: 700 marks
Syllabus
Detailed Syllabus
Paper-I: General Ability and Intelligence
#### General Mental Ability
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables, Data Sufficiency)
- Number Series, Coding-Decoding, Analogies
- Pattern Recognition and Classification
- Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Visual Memory, Discrimination, Observation
- Relationship Concepts, Arithmetical Reasoning
- Verbal and Figure Classification
- Similarities and Differences, Space Visualization
#### General Science & Environment
- Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Light, Sound, Electricity, Magnetism
- Chemistry: Elements, Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Everyday Chemistry
- Biology: Human Body, Diseases, Nutrition, Food Security
- Environmental Studies: Climate Change, Biodiversity, Pollution, Conservation
#### National & International Current Events
- Important national and international events
- Sports and Games
- Awards and Honours
- Books and Authors
- Science and Technology developments
#### History of India & Indian National Movement
- Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryas, Guptas
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Regional Kingdoms
- Modern India: British Rule, Freedom Struggle, National Movement leaders
- Post-Independence India: Integration, Constitution Making
#### Indian Polity & Governance
- Indian Constitution: Features, Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties
- Union and State Governments, Centre-State Relations
- Parliament, Judiciary, Executive functions
- Local Self Government: Panchayati Raj, Municipalities
- Important Constitutional Amendments
- Public Policy and Governance issues
#### Economic & Social Development
- Indian Economy: Agriculture, Industry, Services sector
- Economic Reforms and Liberalization
- Planning and Development: Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog
- Poverty, Unemployment, Social Justice
- Government Schemes and Initiatives
- Banking and Financial Institutions
#### Geography of India
- Physical Geography: Mountains, Rivers, Climate, Natural Resources
- Indian States and Union Territories
- Major Cities, Ports, Industries
- Agricultural Regions and Crops
- Natural Disasters and Management
Paper-II: General Studies (Objective)
#### General Mental Ability
- Logical and Analytical Reasoning
- Quantitative Aptitude: Number Systems, Percentages, Ratios, Time-Distance
- Data Interpretation and Analysis
#### General Science & Technology
- Basic concepts of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Scientific Developments and Space Technology
- Information Technology and Computers
- Emerging Technologies: AI, Robotics, Nanotechnology
#### Current Affairs and Events
- National and International importance
- Sports personalities and events
- Cultural affairs
- Defence and Security issues
#### History, Geography & Polity
- World History: Major civilizations, World Wars, Decolonization
- World Geography: Continents, Countries, Physical features
- International Organizations: UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank
- Indian Government and Politics
Essay Topics (Typical themes)
- Social issues: Poverty, Education, Health, Women Empowerment
- National Security and Defence
- Ethics, Integrity and Values in public service
- Technology and Society
- Environmental concerns
- Economic Development
- Internal Security challenges
Comprehension
- Passages on contemporary issues
- Questions testing understanding, interpretation and analysis
- Abstract reasoning based on given text
Salary
Salary Structure (Typical / Indicative)
| Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Entry Level) | ₹56,100 |
| Pay Level | Level-10 (7th CPC): ₹56,100 - 1,77,500 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹28,050 (50% of Basic, varies quarterly) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹13,464 to ₹16,830 (24-30% based on city classification) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | ₹7,200 per month |
| Other Allowances | Kit Maintenance, Washing, Ration Money |
| Gross Salary (Monthly) | ₹1,10,000 - 1,20,000 (approx.) |
| In-Hand Salary (Monthly) | ₹85,000 - 95,000 (after deductions) |
Additional Benefits:
- Government accommodation or HRA
- Medical facilities for self and family
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Children Education Allowance
- Pension and Gratuity benefits under National Pension Scheme
- Annual increments and performance-based promotions
- Canteen facilities and subsidized rations
- Risk and hardship allowances for field postings
Career Growth
Assistant Commandants enjoy excellent career progression in Central Armed Police Forces with promotions based on time-bound seniority and departmental examinations. The typical career path progresses from Assistant Commandant to Deputy Commandant (5-6 years), Second-in-Command (12-14 years), Commandant (18-20 years), Deputy Inspector General (25+ years), and potentially to Inspector General and Director General levels. Officers also get opportunities for deputation to central ministries, state police forces, international peacekeeping missions, and specialized training programs in India and abroad.
Admit Card
Admit cards for the UPSC CAPF AC written examination are typically released 2-3 weeks before the exam date on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in). Candidates must download their e-admit card by logging into their account using registration ID and password. The admit card contains crucial details including examination center address, reporting time, exam day instructions, and photograph. No physical admit card is sent by post; candidates must carry a printout along with valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Driving License, or Passport) to the examination hall.
Result
UPSC declares the CAPF AC written examination result in stages - first the qualifying candidates for PST/PET are announced within 2-3 months of written exam on the official website. After physical tests and interviews, the final result with merit list is published typically 8-10 months after the written examination. Candidates can check their result by entering registration number on the UPSC website. Marks and cutoff details are also published separately for transparency.
Expected Cutoff
UPSC CAPF AC cutoff marks vary each year depending on exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and candidate performance. Typically, General category candidates need to score around 125-135 marks out of 250 in Paper-I and 200-220 out of 300 in Paper-II to qualify for physical tests. Category-wise cutoffs are lower: OBC candidates around 115-125, SC candidates 105-115, and ST candidates 95-105 marks. Final selection cutoff (written + interview) for General category is usually 380-420 out of 700 marks, with proportionate relaxation for reserved categories.
Exam Centres
Examination Centers
UPSC conducts the CAPF AC examination at multiple centers across India:
North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu, Srinagar, Aligarh, Allahabad, Varanasi
South: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Madurai, Mysuru
East: Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Jamshedpur, Cuttack, Darbhanga
West: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Vadodara, Aurangabad
Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Kohima, Aizawl, Agartala, Itanagar, Gangtok
Central: Jabalpur, Raipur, Bilaspur
Candidates can select up to three center preferences during application. Final allotment depends on availability and is at UPSC's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the educational qualification required for UPSC CAPF AC exam?
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year/semester students can also apply provisionally. Professional degrees like Engineering, Medical, CA are also eligible. There is no minimum percentage requirement for graduation.
What is the application fee for CAPF Assistant Commandant examination?
The application fee is ₹200 for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates. Female candidates and SC/ST/PwBD candidates of all genders are completely exempted from paying any application fee. Fee payment can be made online through net banking, debit/credit card, or offline through SBI challan.
How many vacancies are announced for UPSC CAPF AC recruitment?
The number of vacancies varies each year. Typically, UPSC announces 250-300 vacancies for Assistant Commandant posts across BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB forces combined. Exact vacancy breakup by force and category is mentioned in the official notification released in February-March annually.
What is the starting salary of CAPF Assistant Commandant?
Assistant Commandants are appointed at Level-10 of 7th Pay Commission with starting basic pay of ₹56,100 per month. Including allowances like DA (50%), HRA, Transport Allowance, the gross monthly salary is approximately ₹1,10,000-1,20,000, with in-hand salary of ₹85,000-95,000 after deductions. Additional benefits include accommodation, medical facilities, and pension.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC CAPF AC exam?
General category candidates can attempt until they reach 25 years of age (typically 4-5 attempts). OBC candidates get attempts until 28 years (7-8 attempts), SC/ST candidates until 30 years (9-10 attempts). There is no restriction on the number of attempts; only the upper age limit applies with applicable relaxations.
Is there negative marking in CAPF AC examination?
Yes, there is negative marking in the objective type questions (MCQs) of both Paper-I and Paper-II (General Studies section). For each wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of marks assigned to that question are deducted as penalty. However, there is no negative marking for descriptive sections (Essay and Comprehension).
Is the UPSC CAPF AC application process online or offline?
The entire application process is online only through the official UPSC website (upsconline.nic.in). Candidates need to complete Part-I and Part-II registration, upload scanned documents (photograph, signature, ID proof), and pay fees online. No physical application or documents are required to be sent by post during the application stage.
What are the different stages in CAPF AC selection process?
The selection process consists of seven stages: (1) Written Examination (2 papers totaling 550 marks), (2) Physical Standards Test - PST (height, chest measurement), (3) Physical Efficiency Test - PET (race: 5km for men, 1.6km for women), (4) Interview/Personality Test (150 marks), (5) Document Verification, (6) Detailed Medical Examination, and (7) Final Merit List preparation based on written exam and interview marks.