Join UPSC CAPF AC 2026 Online Form Started – Apply for 349 Assistant Commandant Posts | Notification PDF, Eligibility, Syllabus, Last Date 12 March 2026
The wait is finally over for defence aspirants across the country. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the recruitment notification for the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2026. This is a golden opportunity for graduates looking to serve the nation in a prestigious Group A Gazetted officer capacity within India’s paramilitary forces.
On 20 February 2026, UPSC opened the portal for the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 online form, announcing a total of 349 tentative vacancies
across elite forces including the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. These positions offer not just a sense of pride and duty, but also an attractive Level-10 pay scale (₹56,100–₹1,77,500) along with numerous government allowances.
Aspiring candidates must act quickly. The window to apply online for UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant 2026 is relatively short, closing on 12 March 2026 at 6:00 PM. The written examination is scheduled for 19 July 2026. If you aim to become an Assistant Commandant, this comprehensive guide covers everything from the UPSC CAPF notification 2026 PDF to the detailed syllabus and step-by-step application process.
UPSC CAPF AC 2026 Important Dates
Staying updated with the official timeline is crucial to ensure you don't miss the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 last date. Below are the key dates as per the official UPSC calendar:
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | 20 February 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 20 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 12 March 2026 (Till 18:00 Hrs) |
| Correction Window | 13 March – 19 March 2026 (Tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | June/July 2026 (3 weeks before exam) |
| UPSC CAPF Exam Date 2026 | 19 July 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Written) | August/September 2026 |
CAPF AC Vacancy 2026: Force-wise Distribution
The Central Armed Police Forces recruitment 2026 seeks to fill 349 vacancies. These numbers are tentative and subject to change based on the requirements of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
| Force | Tentative 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 Vacancies | 349 |
Note: Reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Ex-servicemen are applicable as per government norms detailed in the UPSC CAPF notification 2026 PDF.
UPSC CAPF Eligibility Criteria 2026
Before heading to upsconline.nic.in apply portal, ensure you meet the following UPSC CAPF eligibility criteria 2026:
1. Nationality & Gender
Nationality: Must be a citizen of India. Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible.
Gender: Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for the post of Assistant Commandant.
2. Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Final Year Students: Candidates appearing for their final year degree exam can apply, provided they can produce proof of passing at the time of the Detailed Application Form (DAF) stage.
3. UPSC CAPF Age Limit (As on 1st August 2026)
Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years
Candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August 2001 and not later than 1st August 2006.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| Central Govt. Servants / Ex-Servicemen | Up to 5 Years |
UPSC CAPF AC 2026 Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online or through "Pay by Cash" mode at any SBI branch.
| Category | Application Fee | Payment Mode |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹200/- | Net Banking/Credit/Debit Card/UPI |
| SC / ST / Females | Exempted (Nil) | N/A |
How to Apply Online for UPSC CAPF AC 2026
Follow these steps to complete your registration on the UPSC official website smoothly:
| Step | Action | Description / Notes |
| 1 | One Time Registration (OTR) | Visit upsconline.nic.in. If not registered, create your OTR profile with basic details. |
| 2 | Part-I Registration | Login and fill in personal, educational, and communication details. Select your force preferences. |
| 3 | Fee Payment | Pay the ₹200 fee (if applicable). Save the transaction ID. |
| 4 | Upload Documents | Upload scanned Photograph, Signature, and Photo ID Proof (PDF format). |
| 5 | Center Selection | Choose your preferred examination city from the available list. |
| 6 | Final Submission | Review all details and click "Submit". Print the final application form for future reference. |
Pro Tip: Do not wait for the last date (12 March). High traffic on upsconline.nic.in often leads to technical glitches in the final hours.
UPSC CAPF Selection Process 2026
The UPSC CAPF selection process 2026 is rigorous, designed to test both mental aptitude and physical endurance. It consists of three main stages:
| Stage | Mode | Details |
| Stage I | Written Exam | Two papers (Paper I & Paper II) held on the same day. |
| Stage II | PET / PST | Physical Efficiency Test and Medical Standards Test. |
| Stage III | Interview | Personality Test conducted at UPSC, New Delhi (150 Marks). |
UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Type |
| Paper I | General Ability & Intelligence | 250 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Objective (MCQ) |
| Paper II | General Studies, Essay & Comprehension | 200 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Descriptive |
Negative Marking: In Paper I, there is a penalty of 1/3rd mark for every wrong answer.
Language: Paper I is bilingual (English/Hindi). In Paper II, the Essay can be written in English or Hindi, but Precis/Comprehension must be in English only.
Detailed CAPF AC Syllabus 2026
To clear this sarkari naukri defence 2026 exam, a deep dive into the CAPF AC syllabus 2026 is mandatory.
Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence
General Mental Ability: Logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, numerical ability, and data interpretation.
General Science: General awareness, scientific temper, comprehension of everyday observation including areas of Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science.
Current Events: Awareness of current affairs of national and international importance in culture, music, the arts, sports, governance, etc.
Indian Polity & Economy: Knowledge of the Indian Constitution, social systems, public administration, and economic development in India.
History of India: Growth of nationalism and the freedom movement, social and economic aspects of history.
India and World Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world.
Paper II: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension
Part-A (80 Marks): Essay questions which are to be answered in long narrative form either in Hindi or English. Topics include modern Indian history, freedom struggle, geography, polity, and economy.
Part-B (120 Marks): Comprehension, précis writing, other communications/language skills – to be attempted in English only. Topics include Comprehension passages, précis writing, developing counter-arguments, simple grammar, and other aspects of language testing.
CAPF AC Salary & Career Benefits
One of the main attractions of the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 is the lucrative salary and social status. As a Group A Gazetted Officer, an Assistant Commandant enjoys:
Pay Scale: ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 (Level 10).
Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and Ration Money.
Special Allowances: Hardship allowance (based on posting), Medical facilities, and Canteen facilities (CSD).
Promotions: Clear pathway to Deputy Commandant, Second-in-Command, and Commandant.
Important Links for Candidates
| Link Name | URL / Action |
| Official Website | |
| Apply Online Portal | |
| Download Notification PDF | |
| CAPF Previous Year Papers | |
| Free Mock Test 2026 |
FAQ: UPSC CAPF AC 2026 Recruitment
| Question | Answer |
| When is the last date for UPSC CAPF AC 2026? | The last date to apply is 12 March 2026 until 6:00 PM. |
| What is the exam date for UPSC CAPF 2026? | The written exam is scheduled for 19 July 2026. |
| How many vacancies are there in CAPF AC 2026? | There are a total of 349 vacancies across BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. |
| What is the age limit for CAPF AC? | 20 to 25 years as of 1st August 2026. Relaxations apply for reserved categories. |
| Can final year students apply for CAPF 2026? | Yes, final year students can apply provided they complete their degree by the DAF stage. |
| Is there negative marking in CAPF AC? | Yes, 1/3rd mark is deducted for every wrong answer in Paper I. |
| What is the salary of a CAPF Assistant Commandant? | The basic pay starts at ₹56,100 (Level 10) plus various allowances. |
| Can girls apply for CAPF AC? | Yes, both male and female candidates are eligible for Assistant Commandant posts. |
