UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandant) Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination for recruitment to Group 'A' posts in forces like 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). It is a prestigious gateway for graduates to join the CAPFs at an officer level. The selection process is a rigorous three-stage process involving a Written Examination, a Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and a final Interview/Personality Test.
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India.
Age Limit
A candidate must be between 20 and 25 years old. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories (OBC, SC/ST) as per government rules.
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor's degree from a recognized university is the minimum qualification required. Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply.
Physical Standards
Candidates must meet specific physical and medical standards regarding height, weight, chest, and eyesight, which are checked during the selection process.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
1. Written Examination
The written test consists of two papers conducted on the same day.
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Ability and Intelligence | Objective (MCQ) | 250 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension | Descriptive | 200 | 3 Hours |
Syllabus for Written Exam
- Paper I (General Ability and Intelligence):
- General Mental Ability: Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation.
- General Science: General awareness and scientific phenomena of everyday observation.
- Current Events: National and international current affairs.
- Indian Polity and Economy: Political system, Constitution of India, economic development.
- History of India: Social, economic, and political aspects.
- Indian and World Geography: Physical, social, and economic aspects.
- Paper II (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension):
- Part A - Essay: Essays on topics related to modern Indian history, geography, polity, economy, security, etc.
- Part B - Language Skills: Comprehension passage, précis writing, counter-argument, report writing, and sentence correction.
2. Physical Standards / Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)
This stage is mandatory and qualifying in nature. Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the PET.
| Event | For Males | For Females |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Metres race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 800 Metres race | 3 minutes 45 seconds | 4 minutes 45 seconds |
| Long Jump | 3.5 Metres (3 chances) | 3.0 Metres (3 chances) |
| Shot Put (7.26 Kg.) | 4.5 Metres | - |
3. Interview / Personality Test
Candidates who qualify the PET are called for a Personality Test (Interview) conducted by UPSC, which carries 150 marks. The board assesses the candidate's suitability for a career in the armed police forces.
👉 Note
- The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Written Examination (Paper I + Paper II) and the Interview/Personality Test.
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to UPSC official website .
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.