Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC CAPF AC 2026: Assistant Commandant in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP
Quick Information
| Post Name | Assistant Commandant (Group A Gazetted) in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB |
| Total Vacancies | 506 |
| Salary | Pay Level 10 — ₹56,100–₹1,77,500/month basic + Military Service Pay ₹5,200/month + DA + HRA + CAPF allowances. Total in-hand approximately ₹80,000–₹1,00,000/month. CGHS medical, free accommodation, and canteen facility included. |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Application Fee
| General | ₹200 |
| OBC | ₹200 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| Women | Nil |
| PH / Divyang | Nil |
Important Dates
| Start Date | 7 May 2026 |
| Last Date | 27 May 2026 |
| Exam Date | 9 August 2026 |
Eligibility
| Age Limit | 20–25 years as on August 1, 2026 (OBC +3 yrs: max 28, SC/ST +5 yrs: max 30, Ex-Servicemen as per central rules). |
| Education | Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university. |
Selection Process
- 1**Stage 1 — Written Examination** | Paper | Type | Marks | Duration | |---|---|---|---| | Paper I: General Ability & Intelligence | Objective MCQ | 250 | 2 hours | | Paper II: General Studies
- 2Essay & Comprehension | Descriptive | 200 | 3 hours | | **Total** | | **450** | **5 hours** | Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer in Paper I only. **Stage 2 — Physical Standards Test (PST) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET)** Physical Standards: - Male: Height 165 cm
- 3Chest 81–86 cm - Female: Height 157 cm Physical Efficiency Test (qualifying): - Male: 100m in 16 sec
- 4800m in 3 min 45 sec
- 5Long Jump 3.5m
- 6High Jump 1.1m - Female: 100m in 18 sec
- 7800m in 4 min 45 sec
- 8Long Jump 3.0m
- 9High Jump 0.9m **Stage 3 — Medical Standards Test** **Stage 4 — Interview / Personality Test** 150 marks. Final merit = Written (450) + Interview (150) = 600 marks.
How to Apply
Official Links
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What is UPSC CAPF AC?
UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces — Assistant Commandant) is a prestigious examination conducted by UPSC to recruit gazetted Group A officers for India's five CAPFs — BSF (Border Security Force), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), and SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal).
An Assistant Commandant directly commands a company of 100+ armed personnel and is responsible for border guarding, counter-insurgency operations, industrial security, or border trade facilitation depending on the force.
Vacancies 2026
| Force | Vacancies (approx.) |
|---|---|
| BSF | ~200 |
| CRPF | ~150 |
| CISF | ~80 |
| ITBP | ~46 |
| SSB | ~30 |
| Total | ~506 |
Eligibility
Age Limit (as on August 1, 2026)
- Minimum: 20 years
- Maximum: 25 years
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | +3 years (max 28) |
| SC/ST | +5 years (max 30) |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per central govt rules |
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university in any discipline
Salary and Benefits
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Level 10) | ₹56,100/month |
| Military Service Pay | ₹5,200/month |
| Dearness Allowance | ~₹27,000/month |
| HRA / Accommodation | Free force accommodation |
| Effective Monthly | ~₹88,000–₹1,00,000/month |
Benefits: CGHS medical, NPS pension, LTC, canteen facility, and subsidised officer's mess. Career progression: Commandant, DIG, IG, and ADG level on promotion.
Selection Process
Written Exam
Paper I: General Ability & Intelligence (250 marks, 2 hours)
- Objective MCQ
- General Mental Ability, Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, General Studies
- Negative marking: 1/3 per wrong answer
Paper II: General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (200 marks, 3 hours)
- Descriptive format (in English or Hindi)
- Section A: Essay (100 marks)
- Section B: Comprehension & Précis (50 marks)
- Section C: Comprehension passage questions (50 marks)
Physical Standards Test (PST)
Height, chest, and weight check as per force standards.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET — Qualifying)
| Event | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100m Race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 800m Race | 3 min 45 sec | 4 min 45 sec |
| Long Jump | 3.5 m | 3.0 m |
| High Jump | 1.1 m | 0.9 m |
| Shot Put (7.26 kg) | 4.5 m | Not required |
Medical Test
Vision, colour blindness, general physical fitness standards.
Interview / Personality Test
150 marks. Conducted at UPSC.
Final merit: Written (450) + Interview (150) = 600 marks total.
Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | May 7, 2026 |
| Application Start | May 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | May 27, 2026 |
| Written Examination | August 9, 2026 |
| PET/PST | October 2026 (expected) |
| Interview | January–February 2027 (expected) |
Preparation Strategy
Paper I (GS Objective): Similar to UPSC Civil Services Prelims but lighter. Current Affairs (6 months), Basic Science, Indian History & Polity, Geography, and Defence/Security Current Affairs are key. CAPF specifically emphasizes awareness about India's border security and internal security challenges.
Paper II (Essay + Comprehension): This is where serious candidates differentiate. The essay is 100 marks — choose topics you can write with depth (governance, security, social issues). Comprehension is a speed vs. accuracy game — read the passage fully before answering.
PET Preparation: Start running 2 months before PET. 800m race in 3:45 requires consistent cardiovascular training — don't neglect this regardless of written exam score. Long Jump and High Jump need specific training too.
Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Apply Online | upsconline.gov.in |
| Official Notification | upsc.gov.in |