Union Public Service Commission · Assistant Commandant (Group A) in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB
UPSC CAPF AC: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Physical Test & Mock Tests
The CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Examination recruits Group A officers for the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal. Everything about the exam on one page, from the official 2026 notice.
UPSC CAPF AC latest updates
New UPSC CAPF AC notifications, admit cards, answer keys and results appear here as soon as they are posted. Browse Govt Jobs →
Important dates
Dates for the next UPSC CAPF AC cycle (notification, last date, admit card, exam and result) appear here when they are announced. See the exam calendar →
Check your eligibility
- ✓Assistant Commandant (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB)Age 20–25 +3
UPSC CAPF AC vacancies
Total, category-wise and post-wise vacancies appear here when the UPSC CAPF AC notification is released.
Eligibility and age limit
| Posts | Qualification | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commandant (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university | 20–25 |
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| Civilian central government servants and ex-servicemen | Up to 5 years in all |
Age is counted as on 1 August of the exam year.
You must be at least 20 and must not have turned 25 on 1 August 2026.
Both men and women can apply. The posts are not open to persons with benchmark disabilities.
Civilian central government servants and ex-servicemen get up to 5 years; SC, ST and OBC relaxation is added to it.
10% of the vacancies are for ex-servicemen. The notice has no limit on attempts.
Application fee
Selection process
- 1Written examPaper-I objective (250) + Paper-II descriptive (200)
- 2PST / PETPhysical standards and efficiency tests, run by the nodal force
- 3Interview150 marks
- 4Medical standards testMerit on written + interview marks
UPSC CAPF AC exam pattern
Written exam One day · Paper-I 10 AM–12 noon, Paper-II 2–5 PM · −1/3 of the marks per wrong answer in Paper-I
| Paper | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I: General Ability and Intelligence | Objective, English and Hindi | 250 |
| Paper-II Part A: Essay | Descriptive, English or Hindi | 80 |
| Paper-II Part B: Comprehension, precis and language skills | Descriptive, English only | 120 |
| Total | 450 |
Physical Efficiency Test Qualifying · only for candidates who meet the physical standards
| Event | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 100 metre race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 800 metre race | 3 min 45 sec | 4 min 45 sec |
| Long jump (3 chances) | 3.5 metres | 3.0 metres |
| Shot put, 7.26 kg (3 chances) | 4.5 metres | — |
Each paper has its own qualifying marks, and Paper-II is evaluated only for candidates who qualify in Paper-I. The final merit list uses the written exam (450) and interview (150) marks.
UPSC CAPF AC syllabus
Subject by subject. The number on a topic is how many practice questions we have for it.
General Ability and Intelligence
Paper-I · 250 marksEssay
Paper-II Part A · 80 marksComprehension and English
Paper-II Part B · 120 marksUPSC CAPF AC cut-offs
Year-wise official cut-offs for every category appear here once they are published.
UPSC CAPF AC salary by post
| Level / group | Posts | Pay scale |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Assistant Commandant in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB | Not printed in the 2026 notice |
The CAPF (ACs) 2026 notice does not state the pay level, and we have not verified it from the forces’ rules, so no figure is shown.
UPSC CAPF AC mock tests and previous year papers
Exams with a similar syllabus
Your CAPF preparation already covers most of these exams.
UPSC CAPF AC articles
Preparation strategy, syllabus breakdowns and cut-off analysis for UPSC CAPF AC are on the way. Read the blog →
UPSC CAPF AC frequently asked questions
How many vacancies are there in CAPF AC 2026?
349, tentative: BSF 108, CRPF 106, CISF 70, SSB 53 and ITBP 12. CAPF 2025 had 357.
What is the age limit for CAPF AC?
At least 20 and under 25 on 1 August 2026. SC and ST candidates get 5 more years and OBC 3. Civilian central government servants and ex-servicemen get up to 5 years.
Can women apply for CAPF Assistant Commandant?
Yes. Both men and women are eligible, and women do not pay the fee. The physical efficiency test has separate standards for women.
Can PwBD candidates apply?
No. The 2026 notice gives no age relaxation, fee exemption or vacancies for persons with benchmark disabilities.
Is there negative marking in CAPF?
Yes, in the objective Paper-I: one third of a question’s marks is deducted for a wrong answer. A question left blank carries no penalty.
What happens after the written result?
The 2026 written result came out on 25 August 2026. Qualified candidates must update their form by 21 September 2026, then take the PST/PET, whose dates the Sashastra Seema Bal will announce, followed by the interview and medical test.
When is CAPF AC 2027?
UPSC’s 2027 programme lists the notice for 17 February 2027, applications until 9 March 2027 and the exam on 4 July 2027. The dates can change.
Sources: UPSC CAPF (ACs) 2026 notice No. 08/2026-CAPF (20-02-2026) · UPSC CAPF (ACs) 2025 notice No. 09/2025-CAPF (05-03-2025) · UPSC press note: CAPF (ACs) 2026 written result (25-08-2026) · UPSC Programme of Examinations 2027 (checked 14 Sept 2026). Always confirm in the official notice before applying.