UPSC CAPF AC
Recruits Group A Assistant Commandants (gazetted officers) to the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
Eligibility
You need a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply provisionally. You must be an Indian citizen aged 20 to 25 as on 1 August of the exam year, with relaxation for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years) and certain serving and ex-servicemen candidates. There is no limit on attempts. Both men and women can apply, and you must meet the physical and medical standards set by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Age limit: 20-25 years as on 1 August of exam year; relaxation for OBC (+3), SC/ST (+5) and specified categories
Exam pattern
The written exam is held offline on one day. Paper I (10 am to 12 noon) is General Ability and Intelligence: 125 objective questions for 250 marks, with a penalty of one-third of the question's marks for each wrong answer. Paper II (2 pm to 5 pm) is General Studies, Essay and Comprehension: a descriptive paper of 200 marks in Part A (essays, which can be written in English or Hindi) and Part B (comprehension, précis and English language skills, in English only). Paper II is marked only for candidates who clear the Paper I qualifying mark. Those who clear the written stage take Physical Standards and Physical Efficiency Tests (PST/PET) and medical tests, then a 150-mark interview (Personality Test).
Syllabus at a glance
Paper I covers general mental ability (reasoning and quantitative aptitude), general science, current events, Indian polity and economy, history including the freedom struggle, and Indian and world geography. Paper II covers essays on modern Indian history, freedom movement, geography, polity, economy, security and human rights. It also covers analytical comprehension, précis writing, report writing, counter-arguments and English grammar and usage.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CAPF AC 2026 PST/PET and medical tests (for written-qualified candidates) | Late 2026 (UPSC to notify e-summons) | tba |
| CAPF AC 2027 notification and online application opens | 17 Feb 2027 (per UPSC 2027 calendar) | confirmed |
| Last date to apply for CAPF AC 2027 | 9 Mar 2027 (expected) | expected |
| CAPF AC 2027 written examination | 4 Jul 2027 (Sunday) | confirmed |
| CAPF AC 2027 written result | Aug-Sep 2027 (expected) | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Indian Polity - M. Laxmikanth
- A Brief History of Modern India - Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations - R.S. Aggarwal
- A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning - R.S. Aggarwal
- High School English Grammar and Composition - Wren and Martin
- Challenges to Internal Security of India - Ashok Kumar and Vipul Anekant
How toppers play it
- Paper II decides the merit list, but it is only marked if you clear Paper I. Secure Paper I first with 140+ out of 250 in mocks, then put most of your effort into the descriptive paper.
- Prepare 8-10 essay templates on recurring themes: internal security (left-wing extremism, the North-East, Jammu and Kashmir), border management, terrorism, women in the forces, disaster management and human rights. Write one timed essay a week.
- Part B of Paper II (comprehension, précis, counter-arguments, report writing and grammar) carries easy marks. Practise it from past papers, as the formats repeat almost every year.
- Start physical training as soon as you apply, not after the result. The PET includes a timed 100 m and 800 m run, long jump and shot put, and failing it eliminates you regardless of written marks.
- In Paper I, cut negative marking by attempting all reasoning and numeracy questions first (they are accurate and quick), then GS questions where you are confident.