What is the CAPF AC Exam and who conducts it?

The CAPF Assistant Commandant (AC) Exam is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit Group A Gazetted Officers for the five Central Armed Police Forces: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. It is one of the most prestigious paramilitary officer exams in India, equivalent to IPS in terms of pay scale and benefits. Successful candidates are appointed as Assistant Commandants at Level 10 of the pay matrix, starting at Rs. 56,100 per month. Officers command over 1,000 personnel in their career trajectory.

What is the selection process for CAPF AC Exam?

The CAPF AC selection process has three stages: Paper I (MCQ-based General Studies & Mental Ability, 250 marks), Paper II (Descriptive General Studies, Essay & Comprehension, 200 marks), and Physical Standards/Physical Efficiency Test (PET) followed by a Medical Examination. Paper I has negative marking of 1/3 for wrong answers. Candidates shortlisted from Papers I and II appear for the physical and medical tests. There is no interview/personality test for CAPF AC unlike civil services.

What are the physical standards required for CAPF AC Exam?

Male candidates must have a minimum height of 165 cm (170 cm for certain categories), chest measurement of 81-86 cm with minimum 5 cm expansion, and weight proportionate to height. Female candidates must have a minimum height of 157 cm. The Physical Efficiency Test includes a 100-metre race (16 seconds for men, 18 seconds for women) and a 800-metre race (3 minutes 45 seconds for men, 4 minutes 45 seconds for women). Candidates must also pass a long jump and shot put test. Medical fitness for service in high-altitude areas is also assessed.

What is the syllabus for CAPF AC Paper I and Paper II?

Paper I covers General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Indian Polity, Indian Economy, History of India, Indian & World Geography, and Elementary Mathematics. Paper II is a descriptive paper covering Essay writing, English Comprehension & Precis writing, and General Studies topics related to defence, security, and governance. Paper I is 250 marks with 2.5 hours duration (MCQ format), while Paper II is 200 marks with 3 hours duration (descriptive). Both papers are held on the same day.

What is the career progression for CAPF AC officers?

CAPF AC officers start as Assistant Commandant (Level 10, Rs. 56,100+) and progress to Deputy Commandant (Level 11), Commandant (Level 12), Deputy Inspector General (Level 13), Inspector General (Level 14), and Additional Director General/Director General (Level 15-17). The career is comparable to IPS in pay and benefits including accommodation, medical, transport allowance, and risk & hardship allowances. Officers may be posted across border areas, internal security operations, VIP protection, and industrial security duties.

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CAPF AC Exam Preparation Guide

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Your Complete Preparation Guide for CAPF AC Exam 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.

DifficultyHard

Total Marks450

Duration150 min

Start Practising Now →Free Mock Tests

Exam Overview

Mode

Offline (Paper-based)

Frequency

Annual

Next Exam Date

August 2026

EEligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree from recognized university; Age 20-25 years (relaxation for SC/ST/OBC); Male: height 165cm, chest 81-86cm; Female: height 157cm; Physical standards mandatory

ANumber of Attempts

Maximum 4 attempts for General; 7 for OBC; unlimited for SC/ST (within age limit)

Study Plan by Subject

General Studies & Mental Ability (Paper I)

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (Paper II)

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Expert Preparation Tips

Focus on NCERT books for History, Geography, Polity, and Science for Paper I foundation, then supplement with current affairs from The Hindu/Indian Express for the last 12 months.

Practice descriptive writing daily for Paper II — essay topics typically cover national security, border management, internal security threats, and socio-economic issues.

Start physical training 6 months before the exam; focus on 100m sprint, 800m run, long jump, and shot put to clear PET with comfortable margins.

Solve previous years' CAPF AC question papers (2015-2025) to understand the difficulty level and question pattern; Paper I has negative marking so accuracy is more important than speed.

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration (est.)
General Studies & Mental Ability (Paper I)	125	225	75 min
General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (Paper II)	125	225	75 min
Total	250	450	150 min

Important Dates

Registration Opens

March-April 2026

Next Exam Date

August 2026

Conducted By

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Frequently Asked Questions

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