UPSC CAPF Exam
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The UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) Exam is a national-level competitive exam conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit Assistant Commandants (Group A Gazetted Officers) into India’s premier security forces. These forces include the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The written examination for the current cycle is scheduled for 19 July 2026. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
1. Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the examination via the official UPSC portal, candidates must meet the following baseline conditions: [7, 8]
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India (citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible with explicit government consent). [9]
- Gender: Both male and female candidates can apply. [9]
- Age Limit: Must be between 20 and 25 years old. Standard relaxations apply: up to 5 years for SC/ST and Central Government servants, and 3 years for OBC candidates. [1, 9, 10]
- Education: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students are also provisionally eligible to apply. [1, 9]
2. Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The recruitment drive follows a strict four-stage shortlisting procedure: [2]
Stage I: Written Examination (450 Total Marks) [2, 11, 12]
Both papers take place on the same day. Note that Paper II is evaluated only if a candidate clears the qualifying cut-off in Paper I. [3, 13, 14]
- Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) | 250 Marks. It consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in Hindi or English. [3, 13, 14]
- Paper II: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM) | 200 Marks. It is a descriptive paper where essays can be written in English or Hindi, but précis and language questions must be answered in English only. [3, 14, 15, 16]
Stage II: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & PST [2, 17]
This round is qualifying in nature. The specific physical standard traits require physical capabilities tracked across four tasks: [2, 13, 18]
| Physical Event [19, 20, 21, 22, 23] | Male Standards | Female Standards |
|---|---|---|
| 100-Meter Race | Within 16 seconds | Within 18 seconds |
| 800-Meter Race | Within 3 mins 45 secs | Within 4 mins 45 secs |
| Long Jump | 3.5 Meters (3 attempts) | 3.0 Meters (3 attempts) |
| Shot Put (7.26 kg) | 4.5 Meters | Not Applicable |
Stage III: Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
Candidates clearing the physical benchmarks undergo a full medical check-up evaluating fitness, vision benchmarks, and standard criteria (e.g., standard post-LASIK parameters). [13, 18]
Stage IV: Personality Test / Interview (150 Marks) [14, 24, 25, 26]
Shortlisted candidates face an interview panel at UPSC to assess leadership traits, situational judgment, and general knowledge. The final merit list is computed out of 600 aggregate marks (Written Test + Interview). [2, 14, 18]
3. Syllabus Overview
- Paper I Topics: General Mental Ability (Reasoning & Quant), General Science, Current Events, Indian History, Indian & World Geography, and Indian Polity & Economy. [16]
- Paper II Topics: Modern Indian history, security frameworks, human rights, comprehension passages, précis writing, and basic English grammar. [16]
If you are preparing for the upcoming exam, you can track structural notification details directly via the official Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Website. [4, 27]
What specific details are you looking for regarding the UPSC CAPF exam? Tell me if you need help with preparation strategies, recommended books, or previous years’ cut-off trends.
[4] https://prepp.in
[10] https://byjus.com
[11] https://byjus.com
[13] https://testbook.com
[14] https://digitalbenchers.com
[15] https://testbook.com
[16] https://testbook.com
[17] https://www.pw.live
[19] https://recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in
[21] https://odishajobsdesk.in
[22] https://testbook.com
[24] https://byjus.com
[25] https://chahalacademy.com
[26] https://iasexamportal.com
[27] https://upsc.gov.in