Overview
UPSC CAPF (AC) recruits Assistant Commandants — the entry-level Group A officer rank — into the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal. Selection combines a two-paper written exam (a General Ability & Intelligence screening paper followed by a General Studies, Essay & Comprehension paper), a mandatory Physical Efficiency Test and Detailed Medical Examination, and a Personality Test — reflecting the dual academic-and-field nature of the role.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- Paper I is qualifying/screening; only Paper II marks combine with the Interview for final merit, alongside the Paper I score in the overall total.
- PET/PST includes force-specific physical standards, given candidates may be posted to any of the five CAPFs.
- Paper II includes a compulsory descriptive Essay and comprehension component, unlike typical MCQ-only SSC-style exams.
- Medical standards are stringent, reflecting the operational and field-command nature of Assistant Commandant postings.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 20–25 years (as on 1 August of the exam year; relaxation per government norms) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General/OBC male candidates). Women and SC/ST candidates are exempted. |
UPSC CAPF (AC) Exam Pattern
The UPSC CAPF (AC) selection process runs through written exam + pet + interview + medical. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Paper I — General Ability & Intelligence
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Affairs, Indian Polity & Economy, Reasoning | 125 | 250 |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Race, Height/Chest/Weight measurement | — | Qualifying |
Paper II — General Studies, Essay & Comprehension
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay, Precis Writing, Comprehension, Counter Terrorism & Security related issues | — | 200 |
Personality Test (Interview)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Personality, leadership potential & suitability for CAPF service | — | 150 |
UPSC CAPF (AC) Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise UPSC CAPF (AC) syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
General Mental Ability & Reasoning
Standard competitive-exam reasoning — consistent timed practice yields quick improvement.
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Analytical ability
- Logical reasoning & problem-solving
General Science & Current Affairs
Broad and current-affairs-heavy — daily news habits beat infrequent long study sessions.
- Everyday science
- Current events — national & international
- Sports, awards, defence-related news
Indian Polity, History, Geography & Economy
Overlaps significantly with UPSC CSE's GS foundation — useful cross-preparation if attempting both exams.
- Indian Constitution & governance
- Modern Indian history & freedom struggle
- Physical & Indian geography
- Indian economy & government schemes
Paper II — Essay, Precis & Comprehension
The real differentiator in CAPF AC selection — practise timed essay writing on security and governance themes specifically.
- Essay writing on a contemporary or security-related topic
- Precis writing & summarisation
- Reading comprehension of long passages
- Counter-terrorism, internal security & border management issues
- Communication skills — clarity, structure and coherence of written expression
Selection Process
- Paper I — General Ability & Intelligence (screening).
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).
- Paper II — General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (merit).
- Personality Test (Interview).
- Final merit based on Paper I + Paper II + Interview, subject to clearing PET/PST and the medical examination.
Salary & Job Profile
Assistant Commandants start at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 basic), the same entry level as other Group A civil/defence services, plus Dearness Allowance, HRA, Ration Money Allowance and other force-specific allowances depending on posting and operational deployment.
Best Books for UPSC CAPF (AC) Preparation
- Pathfinder CAPF (AC) Examination — Arihant Experts
- Indian Polity — M. Laxmikanth (for GS foundation)
- Lucent's General Knowledge
- Wren & Martin — High School English Grammar & Composition (for Paper II writing skills)
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
UPSC CAPF (AC) Paper I cut-offs and final cut-offs vary by year and category, shifting with vacancy count and paper difficulty. Because Paper I marks carry forward into the final aggregate alongside Paper II and the Interview, a comfortable Paper I margin matters more here than in exams where the first stage is purely qualifying — always check UPSC's official cut-off release for exact figures.
Preparation Tips
- Since Paper II is descriptive with a significant essay component, practise structured writing on security and governance themes well before the exam.
- Physical training should start early and match the toughest force-specific standard among BSF/CRPF/CISF/ITBP/SSB, since posting force isn't guaranteed in advance.
- Current affairs prep should specifically track internal security, border issues and counter-terrorism developments, given their direct relevance to Paper II.
- Mock interviews focused on situational and leadership questions will help more than generic personality-test practice, given the command nature of the role.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the e-Document Checker and a valid original photo ID for both Paper I and Paper II.
- Begin physical training well ahead of the PET date — this is a hard elimination gate between the two papers.
- Carry your own stationery for the descriptive Paper II; UPSC does not provide pens.
- No electronic devices are permitted inside the examination hall at any stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Paper I acts as a screening stage with its own cut-off, but its marks are also included in the final aggregate along with Paper II and the Interview.
Yes, candidates who qualify Paper I undergo a Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test before being considered for Paper II evaluation and final selection.
No, Paper II is a descriptive paper covering essay, precis and comprehension, so there's no MCQ-style negative marking.
Candidates must be between 20 and 25 years of age as on 1 August of the exam year, with standard relaxations for reserved categories.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Union Public Service Commission notification as of 14 May 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at upsc.gov.in before applying.