CAPF AC
Union Public Service Commission
🏛️ UPSC
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
UPSC CAPF AC (Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for: Assistant Commandant (Group A) in the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal. Selection is through Written Examination (Paper-I objective, Paper-II descriptive), followed by Physical Standards Test, Physical Efficiency Test and Medical Standards Test, followed by Interview / Personality Test.
CAPF AC 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | UPSC CAPF AC — Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India |
| Latest cycle | CAPF AC 2026 |
| Vacancies | 349 — BSF 108, CRPF 106, CISF 70, SSB 53 and ITBP 12. 10% of the total is earmarked for Ex-servicemen. |
| Posts | Assistant Commandant (Group A) in the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal |
| Qualification | A Bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or an institution declared deemed university under the UGC Act 1956. Candidates awaiting their final year result may also apply, subject to producing proof before the Mains application. |
| Age limit | 20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026 — born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006 |
| Number of attempts | No limit on attempts within the age window. |
| Application fee | ₹200. Female candidates and SC / ST candidates are exempted. No exemption for OBC or EWS. |
| Selection stages | Written Examination (Paper-I objective, Paper-II descriptive) → Physical Standards Test, Physical Efficiency Test and Medical Standards Test → Interview / Personality Test |
| Total marks | Written 450 marks (Paper-I 250 + Paper-II 200) + Interview 150 marks = 600 marks |
| Negative marking | Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in Paper-I. Paper-II is descriptive and carries no negative marking. |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CAPF AC (Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for Assistant Commandant (Group A) in the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal. The CAPF AC 2026 notification declares 349 — BSF 108, CRPF 106, CISF 70, SSB 53 and ITBP 12. 10% of the total is earmarked for Ex-servicemen..
UPSC CAPF AC selection process
- Written Examination (Paper-I objective, Paper-II descriptive)
- Physical Standards Test, Physical Efficiency Test and Medical Standards Test
- Interview / Personality Test
UPSC CAPF AC exam pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Ability and Intelligence (objective) | 125 | 250 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | General Studies, Essay and Comprehension (descriptive) | Descriptive | 200 | 3 hours |
| PST / PET / MST | Physical standards, efficiency and medical tests — qualifying only | — | — | — |
| Interview | Personality Test | — | 150 | — |
Total marks
Written 450 marks (Paper-I 250 + Paper-II 200) + Interview 150 marks = 600 marks.
Negative marking
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in Paper-I. Paper-II is descriptive and carries no negative marking.
UPSC does not normalise marks
This is the single most common misconception carried over from SSC. UPSC conducts each paper in one sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation formula. A published UPSC cut off is a raw mark you could actually have scored on the paper — which is why the figures are clean numbers rather than five-decimal scores.
What is next for UPSC CAPF AC
The CAPF AC 2026 examination was held on 19 July 2026 and results are awaited. The 2027 notification is due on 17 February 2027 for an examination on 4 July 2027.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC CAPF AC vacancy for CAPF AC 2026?
349 — BSF 108, CRPF 106, CISF 70, SSB 53 and ITBP 12. 10% of the total is earmarked for Ex-servicemen.. UPSC states in the notice that the number is liable to alteration.
What is the age limit for UPSC CAPF AC?
20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026 — born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for PwBD candidates.
What qualification is required for UPSC CAPF AC?
A Bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or an institution declared deemed university under the UGC Act 1956. Candidates awaiting their final year result may also apply, subject to producing proof before the Mains application.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC CAPF AC?
No limit on attempts within the age window.
What is the UPSC CAPF AC application fee?
₹200. Female candidates and SC / ST candidates are exempted. No exemption for OBC or EWS.
Is there negative marking in UPSC CAPF AC?
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in Paper-I. Paper-II is descriptive and carries no negative marking.
What is the UPSC CAPF AC selection process?
Selection is through Written Examination (Paper-I objective, Paper-II descriptive), followed by Physical Standards Test, Physical Efficiency Test and Medical Standards Test, followed by Interview / Personality Test.
What are the total marks in UPSC CAPF AC?
Written 450 marks (Paper-I 250 + Paper-II 200) + Interview 150 marks = 600 marks.
What is the UPSC CAPF AC salary?
Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix (₹56,100 basic), plus the allowances applicable to the force and posting, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance.
Does UPSC normalise marks in UPSC CAPF AC?
No. UPSC conducts each paper in a single sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation. Published cut offs are raw marks.
When does UPSC release the UPSC CAPF AC answer key?
Only after the final result for that cycle is declared, under the Commission's disclosure policy. There is no post-exam challenge window of the kind SSC runs.
Where do I download the UPSC CAPF AC admit card?
From upsc.gov.in. The e-Admit Card appears about two to three weeks before the examination and is not posted to candidates.
Do I need to register separately for UPSC CAPF AC?
No. UPSC issues a Universal Registration Number (URN) that is registered once in a lifetime and used for every UPSC examination. Only the examination-specific module is filled per exam.
What is next for UPSC CAPF AC?
The CAPF AC 2026 examination was held on 19 July 2026 and results are awaited. The 2027 notification is due on 17 February 2027 for an examination on 4 July 2027.