EXAM SYLLABUS

The UPSC CAPF syllabus is divided into two papers. Paper I is objective-type (multiple choice) and tests General Ability and Intelligence. It includes topics such as General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Indian Polity and Economy, Indian History, and Indian and World Geography and Paper II is descriptive and focuses on General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension. It assesses the candidate’s English language skills, including essay writing and comprehension, with an emphasis on subjects related to General Studies.

Detailed Syllabus

Paper I General Ability & Intelligence 

Paper II General Studies, Essay & Comprehension

EXAM PATTERN

The UPSC CAPF Recruitment 2026 selection process will be conducted in three stages. The first stage is a written examination, which includes Paper I and Paper II. Candidates who qualify the written test and are found physically and medically fit will move on to the final stage, which is the Personal Interview/Personality Test.

1. Written Examination

2. Physical Test & Medical

3. Interview

UPSC CAPF examination is divided into two parts, namely, Paper I & Paper II.

Paper I General Ability and Intelligence

The questions in Paper I will be of Objective (Multiple Answers) type for which the time allotted will be of 120 minutes. The total marks for this examination are 250.

Paper II General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension

Paper II of UPSC CAPF will be a Descriptive type test that will contain 200 Marks. The time allotted for this paper is 180 minutes.

Mode of Examination

The examination will be conducted through offline mode. The examination is a pen & paper-based test containing only multiple choice type questions.

Medium of Examination

Paper I & II will be in bilingual language-Hindi & English, excluding English paper.

Negative Marking

There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.

If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there will be the same penalty as above for that question.

Note - I

Candidates should ensure that in Paper II they write the answers only in the medium allowed by the Commission for the different Components as mentioned above. No credit will be given for answers written in a medium other than the one allowed in the Paper. Candidates will be required to indicate the medium of Essay Component in the Attendance Lists and on the Answer Book. No credit will be given for the Essay Component if the candidate indicates a medium on the Attendance List and on the Answer Book other than the one in which he/she has written the Essay.

Note - II

There will be minimum qualifying marks separately in each Paper as may be fixed by the Commission in their discretion. Paper-I will be evaluated first and evaluation of Paper-II will be done only of those candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-I

Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)

Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be summoned for Physical Standards Tests/Physical Efficiency Tests.

EXAM PATTERN

The UPSC CAPF Recruitment 2026 selection process will be conducted in three stages. The first stage is a written examination, which includes Paper I and Paper II. Candidates who qualify the written test and are found physically and medically fit will move on to the final stage, which is the Personal Interview/Personality Test.

1. Written Examination

2. Physical Test & Medical

3. Interview

UPSC CAPF examination is divided into two parts, namely, Paper I & Paper II.

Paper I General Ability and Intelligence

The questions in Paper I will be of Objective (Multiple Answers) type for which the time allotted will be of 120 minutes. The total marks for this examination are 250.

Paper II General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension

Paper II of UPSC CAPF will be a Descriptive type test that will contain 200 Marks. The time allotted for this paper is 180 minutes.

Mode of Examination

The examination will be conducted through offline mode. The examination is a pen & paper-based test containing only multiple choice type questions.

Medium of Examination

Paper I & II will be in bilingual language-Hindi & English, excluding English paper.

Negative Marking

There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.

If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there will be the same penalty as above for that question.

Note - I

Candidates should ensure that in Paper II they write the answers only in the medium allowed by the Commission for the different Components as mentioned above. No credit will be given for answers written in a medium other than the one allowed in the Paper. Candidates will be required to indicate the medium of Essay Component in the Attendance Lists and on the Answer Book. No credit will be given for the Essay Component if the candidate indicates a medium on the Attendance List and on the Answer Book other than the one in which he/she has written the Essay.

Note - II

There will be minimum qualifying marks separately in each Paper as may be fixed by the Commission in their discretion. Paper-I will be evaluated first and evaluation of Paper-II will be done only of those candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-I

Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)

Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be summoned for Physical Standards Tests/Physical Efficiency Tests.

Interview/Personality Test

Candidates who are declared qualified in the Physical Standards Tests (PST) /Physical Efficiency Tests (PET), will be called for Interview/Personality Test to be conducted by Union Public Service Commission. Candidates who are declared unqualified in the Physical Efficiency Test will not be called for Interview/Personality Tests. The Interview/Personality Test will carry 150 Marks

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates applying for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant Recruitment 2026 must ensure they meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. The CAPF AC eligibility includes several key factors, such as the age limit and educational qualifications, which must be fulfilled in order to participate in the selection process.

Nationality 

A citizen of India

A Subject of Bhutan

A subject of Nepal

A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st Jan 1962 to permanently settle in India.

A person of Indian origin who migrated from Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East African countries to permanently settle in India.

No person who is not a citizen of India shall, except with the consent of the Central Government signified in writing be appointed or employed under these Rules. Provided that nothing contained in these rules shall debar the appointment, enrolment or employment of a subject of Nepal or Bhutan under these Rules.

Sex 

Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Commandants.

Age Limits 

A candidate must have attained the age of 20 years and must not have attained the age of 25 years.

Age Relaxation

Education Qualification

1. A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree of a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification

2. Candidates, who have appeared in the graduation examination and are waiting for their results, can also apply for UPSC CAPF Exam. But, the admission to CAPF exam would be provisional until the proof of passing the examination after qualifying the CAPF exam is not produced.

3. Candidates possessing professional and technical qualifications which are recognised by the Government as equivalent to a professional and technical degree would also be eligible for admission to the examination.

Restriction on re-appearance of candidates finally selected/ recommended earlier

A candidate who has been finally selected on the basis of an earlier examination to the post of Assistant Commandants in any of the forces participating in the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination will not be eligible to appear at a subsequent examination for recruitment of Assistant Commandants in the participating CAPFs.

Physical Standard

The minimum requirement of height, chest, and weight for both men and women has been tabulated-

Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)

Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be summoned for Physical Standards Tests/Physical Efficiency Tests.

Medical Standards

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates applying for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant Recruitment 2026 must ensure they meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. The CAPF AC eligibility includes several key factors, such as the age limit and educational qualifications, which must be fulfilled in order to participate in the selection process.

Nationality 

A citizen of India

A Subject of Bhutan

A subject of Nepal

A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st Jan 1962 to permanently settle in India.

A person of Indian origin who migrated from Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East African countries to permanently settle in India.

No person who is not a citizen of India shall, except with the consent of the Central Government signified in writing be appointed or employed under these Rules. Provided that nothing contained in these rules shall debar the appointment, enrolment or employment of a subject of Nepal or Bhutan under these Rules.

Sex 

Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Commandants.

Age Limits 

A candidate must have attained the age of 20 years and must not have attained the age of 25 years.

Age Relaxation

Education Qualification

1. A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree of a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification

2. Candidates, who have appeared in the graduation examination and are waiting for their results, can also apply for UPSC CAPF Exam. But, the admission to CAPF exam would be provisional until the proof of passing the examination after qualifying the CAPF exam is not produced.

3. Candidates possessing professional and technical qualifications which are recognised by the Government as equivalent to a professional and technical degree would also be eligible for admission to the examination.

Restriction on re-appearance of candidates finally selected/ recommended earlier

A candidate who has been finally selected on the basis of an earlier examination to the post of Assistant Commandants in any of the forces participating in the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination will not be eligible to appear at a subsequent examination for recruitment of Assistant Commandants in the participating CAPFs.

Physical Standard

The minimum requirement of height, chest, and weight for both men and women has been tabulated-

Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)

Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be summoned for Physical Standards Tests/Physical Efficiency Tests.

Medical Standards

Carrying angle

Carrying angle should not be more than 15 degree for male and 20 degree for female.

Ear

1. Candidate should not have any degree of deafness or persistent ear discharge.
2. Candidate should not have any other condition (congenital or acquired) like atresia of the meatus, exostosis, neoplasm which is causing obstruction of ear passage and should not have history of recurrent earache, tinnitus and vertigo.

Nose

Candidates should not have DNS, atrophic rhinitis, tubercular ulceration, chronic sinusitis.

Neck 

Candidate should not have enlarged lymph nodes, thyroid or other swelling of neck, inability to extend the neck fully or any evidence of disease of spine or cervical vertebrae.

Teeth

Candidate must possess sufficient number of sound teeth for efficient mastication. Candidate should not have severe pyorrhea.

Venereal Disease

Candidate should not have active signs of clinical VD.

Chronic skin diseases

Candidate should not have chronic skin diseases like Leprosy, chronic dermatitis, extensive Pityriasis Versicolor, psoriasis, SLE etc.

GENERA STANDERED

1. Speech should be without impediment, i.e. no stammering.
2. The candidate should not have any indication of chronic disease like TB, any type of arthritis, high blood pressure, Diabetes, Bronchial Asthma, any heart disease.
3. Candidate should not have perceptible and visible glandular swelling anywhere in the body.
4. Chest should be well-formed, devoid of any abnormality like flat chest, Pigeon chest, with rickety rosary defects. Heart and lungs should be sound.
5. Limbs, hands and feet should be well-formed and fully developed and there shall be perfect motion of all joints.
6. Should not have any old/mal united fracture of bones.
7. There should be free and perfect movements of all the joints.
8. Feet and toes should be well-formed
9. Should not have congenital malformation or defects. (Candidate must have completed 06 months after LASIK surgery while considering for recruitment in CAPFs).
10. Should not bear traces of previous acute or chronic disease pointing to an impaired constitution.
11. Candidate should have no disease of the genitourinary tract.
12. Candidate should have no inguinal, scrotal swelling, any type of Hernia.
13. (Only for male) Both the testicles are in the scrotum and of normal size.
14. The candidate must not have knock knees, flat foot, varicose veins.
15. They must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect likely to interfere with the efficient performance of the duties

Candidate should not suffer from TACHYCARDIA (more than 100 pulse rate per minute) or BRADYCARDIA (Less than 50 per minute).

Candidate should not suffer from Hernia, hemorrhoids, condylomata prolapse rectum.

Tattoo Clause

1. Content : Being a secular country, the religious sentiments of our countrymen are to be respected and thus, tattoos depicting religious symbol or figures and the name, as followed in Indian Army are to be permitted.
2. Location : Tattoos marked on traditional sites of the body like inner aspect of forearm but only left forearm, being non saluting limb or dorsum of the hands are to be allowed.
3. Size : Size must be less than 1/4th of the particular part (Elbow or Hand) of the body.

CAPF NCC ‘B’ or ‘C’ Certificates

Another desirable qualification is the possession of NCC ‘B’ or ‘C’ Certificate. However, it must be noted that these qualifications will be considered at the time of the Interview or Personality Test only. They will have no effect at the time of application.

IMPORTANT DATES

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 on its official website. According to the exam calendar, the last date to submit the application form is 10 March 2026, and the UPSC CAPF (AC) 2026 exam will be conducted on 19 July 2026.

EXAM ANALYSIS 2025

The UPSC CAPF AC 2025 (Central Armed Police Forces Assistant Commandants Examination 2025) written exam was conducted on 3 August 2025 (Sunday) in two shifts:

Paper 1 (General Ability and Intelligence): 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (250 marks, objective type, 125 questions).

Paper 2 (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension): 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (200 marks, descriptive type).

Overall Difficulty Level

Paper 1: Moderate to Difficult (most sources describe it as tilting towards tough, with surprises in question patterns and unexpected topics).

Paper 2: Moderate to Difficult (comprehension and grammar were standard but time-consuming; essay topics required depth).

The exam shocked many aspirants due to tougher-than-expected questions in certain sections, new patterns, and a focus on analytical depth rather than rote learning.

Subject-Wise Analysis for Paper 1 (General Ability and Intelligence)

Paper 1 covers General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Indian Polity & Economy, History of India, Indian & World Geography, etc. Here's a breakdown based on candidate feedback and expert reviews:

Current Affairs: Moderate to Difficult — High emphasis on the last 1–1.5 years' events; challenging and dominant.

Indian Polity & Economy: Moderate to Difficult — Detailed and conceptual questions; Polity was particularly tough.

History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Art & Culture): Moderate to High difficulty — Questions often required tracing sources like NCERTs/Spectrum; some tricky statements.

Geography & Environment: Moderate — Fewer questions than previous years (around 10 vs. 16–20); 5–6 directly from NCERTs (Class 6–12), some conceptual/out-of-syllabus tough ones.

General Science: Moderate — Mix of straightforward and analytical; some direct from standard sources.

General Mental Ability/Reasoning: Easy to Moderate — Relatively manageable but analytical.

Overall Good Attempts (Estimated): 75–85 questions (out of 125) for a competitive score, depending on accuracy (negative marking of 1/3 per wrong answer).

Paper 2 (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension)

Essay topics and comprehension passages were standard but demanded structured writing and time management.

Grammar and précis were time-consuming.

Good for candidates strong in descriptive English/Hindi.

EXAM ANALYSIS (CAPF-AC) 2022

CAPF AC exam is conducted on 7th August from 10 AM to 12 PM .

UPSC CAPF PAPER I ANALYSIS

The following is a list of the main highlights of the UPSC CAPF exam analysis:

1. The overall difficulty level of UPSC CAPF AC Paper I was moderate to difficult.
2. The majority of the questions in Paper I centred on geography, history, and current events.
3. The important questions and topics included: Computer Operating Systems , Seating Arrangement , Work & Time.
4. Defence current affairs and knowledge such as Operation Sankalp, name of the Oldest Paramilitary Force in India, features of defence helicopters and missiles, etc.
5. Semiconductors, Optics, SI units, were some topics covered under Physics. Numerical problems asked were based on speed and distances, and focal length calculation.
6. Important days such as World Wetlands Day
7. Static GK including Important Revolutions, International Organizations & their Headquarters, etc.

The section-wise difficulty level of the exam is given below:

UPSC CAPF PAPER II ANALYSIS

The Paper II of the UPSC CAPF AC Exam is a descriptive test comprising essay writing, report writing, etc. Check the UPSC CAPF AC Paper II Exam Analysis below:

1. The topics for essay writing were related to current affairs and developments in defence, economy, as well as environmental issue. These topics included: Campaign to Save Endangered Species , The Emerging Role of Women in the Indian Armed Forces , What can be done to stop wars, Price Rise: Causes & Effects , Indian Armed Forces are a combination of Strategic Thinking and Timely Action
2. The topics for questions on writing arguments were curated to assess the candidates knowledge, understanding and critical thinking abilities. These include the following: United Nations Organization has become redundant, Video Games Sharpen the mind, The topics for Report Writing were:
Evidences of fellow feeling during the COVID 19 Pandemic, Green Energy Progress in India
3. Questions on English Grammar included: , Rewrite as directed (Active/ Passive, Direct/ Indirect,  use of adverb, etc.) , Error spotting and rewriting , Make sentences usin

EXAM ANALYSIS 2025

The UPSC CAPF AC 2025 (Central Armed Police Forces Assistant Commandants Examination 2025) written exam was conducted on 3 August 2025 (Sunday) in two shifts:

Paper 1 (General Ability and Intelligence): 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (250 marks, objective type, 125 questions).

Paper 2 (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension): 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (200 marks, descriptive type).

Overall Difficulty Level

Paper 1: Moderate to Difficult (most sources describe it as tilting towards tough, with surprises in question patterns and unexpected topics).

Paper 2: Moderate to Difficult (comprehension and grammar were standard but time-consuming; essay topics required depth).

The exam shocked many aspirants due to tougher-than-expected questions in certain sections, new patterns, and a focus on analytical depth rather than rote learning.

Subject-Wise Analysis for Paper 1 (General Ability and Intelligence)

Paper 1 covers General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Indian Polity & Economy, History of India, Indian & World Geography, etc. Here's a breakdown based on candidate feedback and expert reviews:

Current Affairs: Moderate to Difficult — High emphasis on the last 1–1.5 years' events; challenging and dominant.

Indian Polity & Economy: Moderate to Difficult — Detailed and conceptual questions; Polity was particularly tough.

History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Art & Culture): Moderate to High difficulty — Questions often required tracing sources like NCERTs/Spectrum; some tricky statements.

Geography & Environment: Moderate — Fewer questions than previous years (around 10 vs. 16–20); 5–6 directly from NCERTs (Class 6–12), some conceptual/out-of-syllabus tough ones.

General Science: Moderate — Mix of straightforward and analytical; some direct from standard sources.

General Mental Ability/Reasoning: Easy to Moderate — Relatively manageable but analytical.

Overall Good Attempts (Estimated): 75–85 questions (out of 125) for a competitive score, depending on accuracy (negative marking of 1/3 per wrong answer).

Paper 2 (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension)

Essay topics and comprehension passages were standard but demanded structured writing and time management.

Grammar and précis were time-consuming.

Good for candidates strong in descriptive English/Hindi.

EXAM ANALYSIS (CAPF-AC) 2022

CAPF AC exam is conducted on 7th August from 10 AM to 12 PM .

UPSC CAPF PAPER I ANALYSIS

The following is a list of the main highlights of the UPSC CAPF exam analysis:

1. The overall difficulty level of UPSC CAPF AC Paper I was moderate to difficult.
2. The majority of the questions in Paper I centred on geography, history, and current events.
3. The important questions and topics included: Computer Operating Systems , Seating Arrangement , Work & Time.
4. Defence current affairs and knowledge such as Operation Sankalp, name of the Oldest Paramilitary Force in India, features of defence helicopters and missiles, etc.
5. Semiconductors, Optics, SI units, were some topics covered under Physics. Numerical problems asked were based on speed and distances, and focal length calculation.
6. Important days such as World Wetlands Day
7. Static GK including Important Revolutions, International Organizations & their Headquarters, etc.

The section-wise difficulty level of the exam is given below:

UPSC CAPF PAPER II ANALYSIS

The Paper II of the UPSC CAPF AC Exam is a descriptive test comprising essay writing, report writing, etc. Check the UPSC CAPF AC Paper II Exam Analysis below:

1. The topics for essay writing were related to current affairs and developments in defence, economy, as well as environmental issue. These topics included: Campaign to Save Endangered Species , The Emerging Role of Women in the Indian Armed Forces , What can be done to stop wars, Price Rise: Causes & Effects , Indian Armed Forces are a combination of Strategic Thinking and Timely Action
2. The topics for questions on writing arguments were curated to assess the candidates knowledge, understanding and critical thinking abilities. These include the following: United Nations Organization has become redundant, Video Games Sharpen the mind, The topics for Report Writing were:
Evidences of fellow feeling during the COVID 19 Pandemic, Green Energy Progress in India
3. Questions on English Grammar included: , Rewrite as directed (Active/ Passive, Direct/ Indirect,  use of adverb, etc.) , Error spotting and rewriting , Make sentences using given phrases.

PAPER  II  GENERAL STUDIES, ESSAY & COMPREHENSION

Check section-wise difficulty level as tabulated below.

UPSC CAPF AC EXAM  ANALYSIS 2021

The Union Public Service Commission has successfully concluded the UPSC CAPF 2021 recruitment exam on August 8. The CAPF 2021 exam had two papers which were conducted in morning and afternoon shifts at various exam centres across the country.

CAPF PAPER I ANALYSIS  (GENERAL ABILITY & INTELLIGENCE)

Paper 1 of the CAPF AC exam 2021 consisted of a total of 125 questions, so each question carries 2 marks, and the total marks awarded for paper 1 are 250. Here below we have shared the section-wise details of the CAPF AC 2021 exam (Paper 1)

CAPF Paper II Analysis (GENERAL STUDIES, ESSAY & COMPREHENSION)

UPSC CAPF Exam Analysis 2021 Overview

1. CAPF recruitment test has two papers.
2. CAPF paper 1 is of objective type while paper 2 is descriptive.
3. Paper 1 is of 2 hours whereas paper 2 is of 3 hours
4. 250 marks allotted to CAPF paper 1 and 200 marks to paper 2.
5. The CAPF 2021 exam is conducted in offline mode.
6. There is a negative marking for each incorrect answer in CAPF paper 1.

STUDY TIPS

To effectively prepare for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant (AC) Exam, begin by thoroughly analyzing the syllabus and previous years' question papers to understand the exam pattern. Focus on subject-wise preparation, giving special attention to Current Affairs, General Science, Indian Polity, History, and Geography. Practice mock tests regularly to enhance time management skills and identify areas that need improvement. For Paper-II, concentrate on mastering the formats of essay writing, argument-based answers, and report writing—using knowledge gained from Paper-I subjects to support your content. Lastly, maintain a balanced study schedule that includes breaks and leisure time to prevent burnout and ensure consistent performance throughout your preparation journey.

Paper I 

1. It is recommended that you read all notices thoroughly before beginning your preparation. Important dates, exam events, the UPSC CAPF AC Selection process, and exam day rules will all be included in the announcement.

2. Prepare an effective exam study strategy, ensuring that all subjects are given equal priority. Spare some time for rest and leisure activities in between your preparations.

3. The traditional method of learning and studying might become tedious, and you may lose interest in your studies. Other learning approaches such as flashcards, flowcharts, and other visual aids are recommended.

4. It is not possible to prepare the current affairs parts in a single day. You should keep a notepad and update it often with the daily significant news from an exam standpoint. It is recommended that you listen to the brief news and not waste time listening to unrelated news based on debate unless the issue requires it.

5. When it comes to examinations, it is best to avoid procrastination and worry. Overthinking can lead to overly high levels of dread and anxiety, which can sabotage your preparedness

6. It is advisable to attempt mini mock tests on a daily basis for every topic studied so to be thorough with the topic. 

Paper II

1. You'll need a lot of time to write the essays because you'll be working on four of them. Keeping in mind the word restriction, you must write at least 1200 words on a variety of topics. Allow yourself three minutes before writing about a certain essay to compose bullet points on the topic on the back of the answer sheet or in the question paper.

2. Writing for or against a particular topic is what debate writing is all about. The primary objective here, as tested by UPSC, is to determine the topic's depth. Each topic requires us to focus on one area and then develop arguments about its benefits and drawbacks. It is recommended that you stick to the 300-word limit and write the points in favour first, followed by the ones against in the next paragraph.

3. Precis is a paragraph's short summary. But writing Precis is more than simply shortening the paragraphs. Describe the main idea of the topic as soon as possible. Identify the superfluous data and facts and keep precise of the core idea of the work. A precise title should be appropriate indicating the central idea.

STUDY PLAN

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the CAPF Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through CAPF Examination. The foremost step in planning involves preparing a study plan based on the Syllabus.

6 Month Study Plan

Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1–2)

Cover NCERT basics + start current affairs habit + essay foundation.

Paper I (Objective GS)

Polity: Laxmikant (Part I & II – Constitution, Rights, Parliament).

History: Spectrum Modern + NCERT Ancient & Medieval (quick read).

Geography: NCERT 6–10 basics + 11–12 Physical Geography.

Economy: NCERT 11–12 + simple economy notes (GDP, Banking, Inflation).

Science: NCERT 6–10 basics (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).

Paper II (Descriptive)

Start weekly essay writing (topics: Polity, Security, Women, Environment).

Practice one comprehension & one precis every week.

???????Current Affairs

Begin with The Hindu/Indian Express + monthly magazines (Vision/Insights/Drishti).

Revise current affairs daily in notes.

Physical Prep

Start light running (1–2 km/day), push-ups, long jump practice.

Weekly Task:

1 Essay + 1 Comprehension + 1 Precis.

Revise current affairs weekly notebook.

Phase 2: Advanced Preparation (Month 3–4)

Strengthen Paper I scoring areas + increase descriptive practice.

Paper I

Polity: Governance, Amendments, Elections, Local Govt.

Economy: Budget, Schemes, Banking/Monetary Policy, GST.

History: National Movement, Gandhian Era, Post-Independence.

Geography: Indian resources, Agriculture, Industries, Environment.

Science & Tech: Space, Defence, Nuclear, IT, Biotechnology.

Reasoning + Quant: Practice CAPF PYQs.

Paper II

Essays on security, internal threats, global issues.

More precis writing, grammar correction exercises.

Daily reading habit for improving writing flow.

Current Affairs

Cover last 6 months in detail.

Focus: Defence, Security, IR, Polity, Economy.

Physical Prep

800m stamina run + 100m sprints.

Strength training (shot put practice if possible).

Weekly Task:

2 Essays + 2 Comprehensions.

1 Full Mock Test (Paper I).

Phase 3: Exam Simulation & Revision (Month 5–6)

Mock tests + full syllabus revision + exam fitness.

Paper I

Revise all GS subjects via short notes & PYQs.

Daily practice: 50 MCQs (mixed).

Mock test 2 per week (full Paper I).

Paper II

Write 3 essays per week (with time limit).

Daily 1 comprehension/precis exercise.

Focus on clarity, structure, grammar.

Current Affairs

Revise last 8–10 months at least 3 times.

Make fact sheets (schemes, reports, appointments, defence).

Physical Prep

Simulate PET standards:

100m under 16 sec (men) / 18 sec (women).

800m under 3:45 (men) / 4:45 (women).

Long Jump & Shot Put practice regularly.

2 Month Study Plan

STUDY TIPS

To effectively prepare for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant (AC) Exam, begin by thoroughly analyzing the syllabus and previous years' question papers to understand the exam pattern. Focus on subject-wise preparation, giving special attention to Current Affairs, General Science, Indian Polity, History, and Geography. Practice mock tests regularly to enhance time management skills and identify areas that need improvement. For Paper-II, concentrate on mastering the formats of essay writing, argument-based answers, and report writing—using knowledge gained from Paper-I subjects to support your content. Lastly, maintain a balanced study schedule that includes breaks and leisure time to prevent burnout and ensure consistent performance throughout your preparation journey.

Paper I 

1. It is recommended that you read all notices thoroughly before beginning your preparation. Important dates, exam events, the UPSC CAPF AC Selection process, and exam day rules will all be included in the announcement.

2. Prepare an effective exam study strategy, ensuring that all subjects are given equal priority. Spare some time for rest and leisure activities in between your preparations.

3. The traditional method of learning and studying might become tedious, and you may lose interest in your studies. Other learning approaches such as flashcards, flowcharts, and other visual aids are recommended.

4. It is not possible to prepare the current affairs parts in a single day. You should keep a notepad and update it often with the daily significant news from an exam standpoint. It is recommended that you listen to the brief news and not waste time listening to unrelated news based on debate unless the issue requires it.

5. When it comes to examinations, it is best to avoid procrastination and worry. Overthinking can lead to overly high levels of dread and anxiety, which can sabotage your preparedness

6. It is advisable to attempt mini mock tests on a daily basis for every topic studied so to be thorough with the topic. 

Paper II

1. You'll need a lot of time to write the essays because you'll be working on four of them. Keeping in mind the word restriction, you must write at least 1200 words on a variety of topics. Allow yourself three minutes before writing about a certain essay to compose bullet points on the topic on the back of the answer sheet or in the question paper.

2. Writing for or against a particular topic is what debate writing is all about. The primary objective here, as tested by UPSC, is to determine the topic's depth. Each topic requires us to focus on one area and then develop arguments about its benefits and drawbacks. It is recommended that you stick to the 300-word limit and write the points in favour first, followed by the ones against in the next paragraph.

3. Precis is a paragraph's short summary. But writing Precis is more than simply shortening the paragraphs. Describe the main idea of the topic as soon as possible. Identify the superfluous data and facts and keep precise of the core idea of the work. A precise title should be appropriate indicating the central idea.

STUDY PLAN

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the CAPF Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through CAPF Examination. The foremost step in planning involves preparing a study plan based on the Syllabus.

6 Month Study Plan

Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1–2)

Cover NCERT basics + start current affairs habit + essay foundation.

Paper I (Objective GS)

Polity: Laxmikant (Part I & II – Constitution, Rights, Parliament).

History: Spectrum Modern + NCERT Ancient & Medieval (quick read).

Geography: NCERT 6–10 basics + 11–12 Physical Geography.

Economy: NCERT 11–12 + simple economy notes (GDP, Banking, Inflation).

Science: NCERT 6–10 basics (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).

Paper II (Descriptive)

Start weekly essay writing (topics: Polity, Security, Women, Environment).

Practice one comprehension & one precis every week.

???????Current Affairs

Begin with The Hindu/Indian Express + monthly magazines (Vision/Insights/Drishti).

Revise current affairs daily in notes.

Physical Prep

Start light running (1–2 km/day), push-ups, long jump practice.

Weekly Task:

1 Essay + 1 Comprehension + 1 Precis.

Revise current affairs weekly notebook.

Phase 2: Advanced Preparation (Month 3–4)

Strengthen Paper I scoring areas + increase descriptive practice.

Paper I

Polity: Governance, Amendments, Elections, Local Govt.

Economy: Budget, Schemes, Banking/Monetary Policy, GST.

History: National Movement, Gandhian Era, Post-Independence.

Geography: Indian resources, Agriculture, Industries, Environment.

Science & Tech: Space, Defence, Nuclear, IT, Biotechnology.

Reasoning + Quant: Practice CAPF PYQs.

Paper II

Essays on security, internal threats, global issues.

More precis writing, grammar correction exercises.

Daily reading habit for improving writing flow.

Current Affairs

Cover last 6 months in detail.

Focus: Defence, Security, IR, Polity, Economy.

Physical Prep

800m stamina run + 100m sprints.

Strength training (shot put practice if possible).

Weekly Task:

2 Essays + 2 Comprehensions.

1 Full Mock Test (Paper I).

Phase 3: Exam Simulation & Revision (Month 5–6)

Mock tests + full syllabus revision + exam fitness.

Paper I

Revise all GS subjects via short notes & PYQs.

Daily practice: 50 MCQs (mixed).

Mock test 2 per week (full Paper I).

Paper II

Write 3 essays per week (with time limit).

Daily 1 comprehension/precis exercise.

Focus on clarity, structure, grammar.

Current Affairs

Revise last 8–10 months at least 3 times.

Make fact sheets (schemes, reports, appointments, defence).

Physical Prep

Simulate PET standards:

100m under 16 sec (men) / 18 sec (women).

800m under 3:45 (men) / 4:45 (women).

Long Jump & Shot Put practice regularly.

2 Month Study Plan

Month 1 – Core Coverage + Practice

Goal Cover key subjects of Paper I, start Essay & Precis practice, and build physical stamina.

Paper I (Objective GS – 250 marks)

Week 1: Polity (Laxmikant basics: Constitution, Rights, Parliament, President, PM, Judiciary).

Week 2: History (Spectrum Modern + Freedom Struggle + quick NCERT Ancient & Medieval).

Week 3: Geography (NCERT Class 11–12 + Indian Geography, maps, resources, environment).

Week 4: Economy basics (Budget, Schemes, Banking, Inflation, Fiscal Policy) + Science (NCERT 9–10 + Space, Defence, Environment, Biology basics).

Daily: 50 MCQs practice + 30 min current affairs.

Paper II (Descriptive – 200 marks)

Practice 1 Essay per week (Security, Women empowerment, Polity, Economy).

2 Comprehension + 2 Precis exercises per week.

Grammar revision (common errors, sentence improvement).

Current Affairs

Cover last 8 months (March 2025 ? October 2025 expected).

Priority: Polity, Economy, Defence, International relations, Security issues.

Make notes for quick revision.

Physical Fitness

Start daily running/jogging (2 km).

Alternate days: 100m sprint practice + long jump drills.

Weekly 2 days: Shot put (or basic strength training).

Month 2 – Intensive Revision + Mock Tests

Strengthen weak areas, simulate exam conditions, polish descriptive answers, PET training.

Paper I (Objective)

Revise Polity, History, Economy, Science notes.

Focus on Current Affairs revision (last 10 months).

Daily: 2 hrs GS + 50–70 MCQs (time bound).

Take 2 Full-Length Paper I mocks per week ? analyze mistakes.

Paper II (Descriptive)

Practice 2 essays per week under 1 hr each.

Daily: 1 comprehension OR 1 precis.

Revise grammar rules (active-passive, direct-indirect, prepositions).

Last 2 weeks Full Paper II simulation every weekend (3 hours).

Physical Test Preparation

Simulate PET standards twice a week:

100m under 16 sec (men) / 18 sec (women).

800m under 3:45 (men) / 4:45 (women).

Long jump & shot put practice.

Daily running (stamina) + push-ups/squats (strength).

OVERVIEW

The recruitment for the Assitant Commandant (AC) in CAPF is conducted on a yearly basis by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit candidates in several forces under Central Armed Police Forces. The following are the special forces that will recruit candidates through the CAPF exam.

1. Border Security Force (BSF)
2. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
3. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
4. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
5. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates applying for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant Recruitment 2026 must ensure they meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. The CAPF AC eligibility includes several key factors, such as the age limit and educational qualifications, which must be fulfilled in order to participate in the selection process.

Nationality 

A citizen of India

A Subject of Bhutan

A subject of Nepal

A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st Jan 1962 to permanently settle in India.

A person of Indian origin who migrated from Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East African countries to permanently settle in India.

No person who is not a citizen of India shall, except with the consent of the Central Government signified in writing be appointed or employed under these Rules. Provided that nothing contained in these rules shall debar the appointment, enrolment or employment of a subject of Nepal or Bhutan under these Rules.

Sex 

Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Commandants.

Age Limits 

The minimum age to apply is 20 years, and the maximum age limit is 25 years.

Age Relaxation

Education Qualification

1. A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree of a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification

2. Candidates, who have appeared in the graduation examination and are waiting for their results, can also apply for UPSC CAPF Exam. But, the admission to CAPF exam would be provisional until the proof of passing the examination after qualifying the CAPF exam is not produced.

3. Candidates possessing professional and technical qualifications which are recognised by the Government as equivalent to a professional and technical degree would also be eligible for admission to the examination.

Restriction on re-appearance of candidates finally selected/ recommended earlier

A candidate who has been finally selected on the basis of an earlier examination to the post of Assistant Commandants in any of the forces participating in the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination will not be eligible to appear at a subsequent examination for recruitment of Assistant Commandants in the participating CAPFs.

Physical Standard

The minimum requirement of height, chest, and weight for both men and women has been tabulated-

OVERVIEW

The recruitment for the Assitant Commandant (AC) in CAPF is conducted on a yearly basis by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit candidates in several forces under Central Armed Police Forces. The following are the special forces that will recruit candidates through the CAPF exam.

1. Border Security Force (BSF)
2. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
3. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
4. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
5. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates applying for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant Recruitment 2026 must ensure they meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. The CAPF AC eligibility includes several key factors, such as the age limit and educational qualifications, which must be fulfilled in order to participate in the selection process.

Nationality 

A citizen of India

A Subject of Bhutan

A subject of Nepal

A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st Jan 1962 to permanently settle in India.

A person of Indian origin who migrated from Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East African countries to permanently settle in India.

No person who is not a citizen of India shall, except with the consent of the Central Government signified in writing be appointed or employed under these Rules. Provided that nothing contained in these rules shall debar the appointment, enrolment or employment of a subject of Nepal or Bhutan under these Rules.

Sex 

Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Commandants.

Age Limits 

The minimum age to apply is 20 years, and the maximum age limit is 25 years.

Age Relaxation

Education Qualification

1. A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree of a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification

2. Candidates, who have appeared in the graduation examination and are waiting for their results, can also apply for UPSC CAPF Exam. But, the admission to CAPF exam would be provisional until the proof of passing the examination after qualifying the CAPF exam is not produced.

3. Candidates possessing professional and technical qualifications which are recognised by the Government as equivalent to a professional and technical degree would also be eligible for admission to the examination.

Restriction on re-appearance of candidates finally selected/ recommended earlier

A candidate who has been finally selected on the basis of an earlier examination to the post of Assistant Commandants in any of the forces participating in the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination will not be eligible to appear at a subsequent examination for recruitment of Assistant Commandants in the participating CAPFs.

Physical Standard

The minimum requirement of height, chest, and weight for both men and women has been tabulated-

Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be summoned for Physical Standards Tests/Physical Efficiency Tests.

Medical Standards

EXAM PATTERN

The UPSC CAPF Recruitment 2026 selection process will be conducted in three stages. The first stage is a written examination, which includes Paper I and Paper II. Candidates who qualify the written test and are found physically and medically fit will move on to the final stage, which is the Personal Interview/Personality Test.

1. Written Examination

2. Physical Test & Medical

3. Interview

UPSC CAPF examination is divided into two parts, namely, Paper I & Paper II.

Paper I General Ability and Intelligence

The questions in Paper I will be of Objective (Multiple Answers) type for which the time allotted will be of 120 minutes. The total marks for this examination are 250.

Paper II General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension

Paper II of UPSC CAPF will be a Descriptive type test that will contain 200 Marks. The time allotted for this paper is 180 minutes.

Mode of Examination

The examination will be conducted through offline mode. The examination is a pen & paper-based test containing only multiple choice type questions.

Medium of Examination

Paper I & II will be in bilingual language-Hindi & English, excluding English paper.

Negative Marking

There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.

If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there will be the same penalty as above for that question.

Note - I

Candidates should ensure that in Paper II they write the answers only in the medium allowed by the Commission for the different Components as mentioned above. No credit will be given for answers written in a medium other than the one allowed in the Paper. Candidates will be required to indicate the medium of Essay Component in the Attendance Lists and on the Answer Book. No credit will be given for the Essay Component if the candidate indicates a medium on the Attendance List and on the Answer Book other than the one in which he/she has written the Essay.

Note - II

There will be minimum qualifying marks separately in each Paper as may be fixed by the Commission in their discretion. Paper-I will be evaluated first and evaluation of Paper-II will be done only of those candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-I

Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)

Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be summoned for Physical Standards Tests/Physical Efficiency Tests.

Interview/Personality Test

Candidates who are declared qualified in the Physical Standards Tests (PST) /Physical Efficiency Tests (PET), will be called for Interview/Personality Test to be conducted by Union Public Service Commission. Candidates who are declared unqualified in the Physical Efficiency Test will not be called for Interview/Personality Tests. The Interview/Personality Test will carry 150 Marks.

SYLLABUS

The UPSC CAPF syllabus is divided into two papers. Paper I is objective-type (multiple choice) and tests General Ability and Intelligence. It includes topics such as General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Indian Polity and Economy, Indian History, and Indian and World Geography and Paper II is descriptive and focuses on General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension. It assesses the candidate’s English language skills, including essay writing and comprehension, with an emphasis on subjects related to General Studies.

Detailed Syllabus

Paper I General Ability & Intelligence 

General Mental Ability

Logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, numerical ability.

Data interpretation, simple calculations (percentages, averages, ratios).

Analytical problems.

General Science

General awareness of science, environment & technology.

Scientific temper, reasoning, basic understanding of natural & life sciences.

Everyday applications of science.

Current Events of National & International Importance

Current affairs in culture, music, arts, literature, sports.

Governance, societal issues, public policy.

India & international relations, industry, development.

Globalization, human rights, environmental issues.

Indian Polity & Economy

Political system & Constitution of India.

Panchayati Raj, public administration, rights issues.

Economic development, planning, reforms, industrial growth.

History of India

Social, economic, political aspects of Indian history.

Freedom struggle & nationalism.

Growth of modern India.

Indian & World Geography

Physical, social & economic geography of India and the world.

Basics of location, natural resources, agriculture, industry.

Paper II General Studies, Essay & Comprehension

Part A – Essay

Write essays on Indian polity, security, economy, human rights, geopolitics.

Security challenges in India (border security, terrorism, Naxalism).

Modernization of armed forces, role of CAPF.

Social/economic reforms, women empowerment, poverty.

Regional cooperation, global security issues, environment.

Medium: English OR Hindi.

Part B – Comprehension, Precis & Language Skills

Reading comprehension passages.

Precis writing.

Grammar & usage.

Vocabulary, sentence formation.

Report writing, counter-argument writing.

SELECTION PROCESS

The UPSC CAPF Recruitment 2025 selection process involves three stages. The first stage is a written examination comprising two papers – Paper I and Paper II. Candidates who clear the written exam and are found physically and medically fit will proceed to the final stage, which is the Personal Interview/Personality Test.

Written Examination

The first stage of the UPSC CAPF 2025 selection process is the written examination, scheduled for 3rd August 2025. This exam consists of two papers:

Paper I covers General Ability and Intelligence, is of objective type (multiple-choice questions), and carries a total of 250 marks.

Paper II includes General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension, and is a descriptive paper worth 200 marks.

Physical Test 

Candidates who qualify the written examination will be shortlisted for the second stage of the selection process, which includes the Physical Standards Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and the Medical Standards Test.

Interview

Candidates who are declared qualified in the Physical Standards Tests (PST) /Physical Efficiency Tests (PET), will be called for Interview/Personality Test to be conducted by Union Public Service Commission. Candidates who are declared unqualified in the Physical Efficiency Test will not be called for Interview/Personality Tests. The Interview/Personality Test will carry 150 Marks.

Final Selection / Merit 

The merit list will be drawn on the basis of marks obtained by the candidates in the Written Examination and Interview/Personality Test. Further, any candidate who after Medical Standard Tests (MST) is found not to satisfy the requirements as per prescribed standards will not be appointed.