What's in this article?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill 349 vacancies for Group A officers in paramilitary forces including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. Eligible male and female candidates can submit their online application starting from 20 February 2026. This is a prestigious opportunity for graduates looking for a career in the Indian Armed Forces.
UPSC CAPF AC Recruitment 2026 Overview
ProJobAlert.com |
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|---|---|
| UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Exam 2026 Advertisement No.:- 08/2026-CAPF | |
| Recruitment Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Commandant (Group A) |
| Total Vacancies | 349 |
| Job Location | All Over India |
| Start Date to Apply | 20 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 12 March 2026 (18:00 Hrs) |
| Qualification | Bachelor's Degree in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 20 to 25 Years (As on 01 August 2026) |
| Selection Process | Written Exam, PET/PST, Interview/Personality Test |
| Salary | Level-10 Pay Matrix (Approx ₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500) |
| Application Fees |
General/OBC/EWS: ₹200/- SC/ST/Female: Nil (Exempted) |
| Application Mode | Online via upsconline.nic.in |
| Syllabus & PYQs PDF | View Pattern Below |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| 👉 Apply Online Now | |
Important Date
- Notification Released: 20 February 2026
- Application Start: 20 February 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 12 March 2026
- Last Date for Fee: 12 March 2026
- Written Exam Date: 19 July 2026
- Admit Card: July 2026
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 25 Years
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 05 Years
- OBC (NCL): 03 Years
- Ex-Servicemen & Govt Servants: 05 Years
- Note: Candidate must be born between 02 August 2001 and 01 August 2006.
Application Fees
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹200/-
- SC / ST / Female: Exempted (0/-)
- Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking/Card/UPI)
Qualification
- Assistant Commandant: A candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
- Appearing Candidates: Candidates appearing for their degree exam in 2026 are also eligible to apply provisionally.
- NCC Certificate: Possession of NCC 'B' or 'C' Certificates is a desirable qualification and will be considered during the interview.
Full Eligibility
Candidates must meet the Nationality, Sex, and Physical Standard requirements. Both male and female candidates are eligible. Applicants must be citizens of India (subjects of Nepal/Bhutan also eligible with Govt. consent). Stringent physical and medical standards are mandatory for final selection.
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizen (Nepal/Bhutan subjects permitted) |
| Gender | Male and Female both eligible |
Physical Test Criteria
Candidates qualifying for the written exam must pass the Physical Standards Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET). PET involves timed races, long jump, and shot put for males. Pregnancy at the time of PET will lead to temporary disqualification for female candidates.
| Event/Criteria | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 165 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest (Min.) | 81 cm (+5 cm expansion) | N/A |
| Weight | 50 kg | 46 kg |
| 100 Meter Race | 16 Seconds | 18 Seconds |
| 800 Meter Race | 03 Min 45 Sec | 04 Min 45 Sec |
| Long Jump | 3.5 Meters (3 Chances) | 3.0 Meters (3 Chances) |
| Shot Put (7.26 kg) | 4.5 Meters | N/A |
Salary
The Assistant Commandant position in CAPF is a Group 'A' Gazetted post. The starting basic pay is approximately ₹56,100 under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix Level-10. Total monthly emoluments including DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance are highly attractive.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 10 |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 — ₹1,77,500 |
| Allowances | DA, HRA, Ration Money, Hardship Allowance (based on posting) |
Selection Process
The UPSC CAPF Selection Process is rigorous and divided into three major stages. Candidates must clear the Written Exam first to be called for physical tests, followed by the final Personality Test conducted at UPSC, New Delhi.
- Stage 1: Written Examination - Consists of two papers (Paper I & II).
- Stage 2: PST/PET & Medical Standards Test - Qualifying in nature but mandatory.
- Stage 3: Interview/Personality Test - Carries 150 Marks.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on Written Exam + Interview marks.
Exam Pattern
The Written Examination will be held on 19 July 2026. Paper-I is objective type with negative marking, while Paper-II is descriptive and tests language skills and essay writing ability.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Ability and Intelligence (Objective) | 250 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (Descriptive) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Total Written Marks | 450 | -- | |
- Paper I Penalty: There is a negative marking of 1/3rd (0.33) for wrong answers.
- Medium: Paper-I (English/Hindi), Paper-II (Essay in English/Hindi; Precis & Comprehension in English only).
- Qualifying Marks: Paper-II will only be evaluated if the candidate clears Paper-I.
Post / Category Wise Vacancy
A total of 349 vacancies have been announced across various forces. The BSF and CRPF have the highest number of openings this year. Note that 10% of vacancies are reserved for Ex-Servicemen.
| Force / Organization | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Border Security Force (BSF) | 108 |
| Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) | 106 |
| Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) | 70 |
| Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) | 53 |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | 12 |
| Total Vacancy | 349 |
Job Profile & Responsibility
An Assistant Commandant acts as a company commander and is responsible for operational planning, personnel management, and maintaining law and order. They serve in diverse terrains ranging from borders to internal security zones.
- Leadership: Leading a company of approx. 130-150 personnel.
- Operations: Executing anti-insurgency, anti-naxal, and border guarding duties.
- Administration: Managing logistics, training, and welfare of the troops.
- Law & Order: Assisting state police during elections or civil unrest.
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted Online only through the official UPSC portal. Candidates must have a valid Photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID) which is required for the entire recruitment process.
- Visit https://upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process if not already done.
- Fill in the Common Application Form (CAF) and capture/upload a Live Photo.
- Upload scanned Signature and Photo ID document.
- Select the preferred Examination Centre (Allotted on First-Apply-First-Allot basis).
- Pay the Application Fee (if applicable) and submit the form.
- Download and print the final application for future reference.
Important Links
| Apply Online (OTR) | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Latest Govt Jobs 2026 | Click Here |
| All India Govt Jobs | Click Here |
| Defense Jobs Updates | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for UPSC CAPF AC 2026?
The last date to submit the online application for UPSC CAPF 2026 is 12 March 2026, until 18:00 hours.
When will the UPSC CAPF 2026 Written Exam be conducted?
The written examination is scheduled to be held on 19 July 2026 (Sunday) in two shifts.
Can final-year students apply for CAPF AC Exam 2026?
Yes, candidates who have appeared or are appearing for their qualifying degree exam in 2026 are eligible to apply provisionally.
Is there any negative marking in the UPSC CAPF exam?
Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers in Paper-I (Objective Type). For every wrong answer, 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks will be deducted.
What is the minimum height required for Male and Female candidates?
The minimum height required is 165 cm for Male candidates and 157 cm for Female candidates.