The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released a significant notification for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Assistant Commandants (AC) Examination 2026, presenting a remarkable opportunity for individuals aspiring to join India's elite security forces. This recruitment drive aims to fill 349 Group A Assistant Commandants vacancies across various forces including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB, offering a prestigious career path in national security. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to explore other Govt Jobs on Asalijobs.com for a wide range of public sector opportunities.
This examination is highly competitive, seeking dedicated and capable individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree. It provides a structured career progression and the chance to contribute directly to the nation's safety and integrity. If you are a graduate seeking challenging roles, you can also find numerous other Graduate Jobs across various sectors. The online application process is straightforward, but adherence to deadlines and proper documentation is crucial. Ensure you review all eligibility criteria and prepare thoroughly for the multi-stage selection process.
UPSC Assistant Commandants Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Company Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Commandants (Group A) in Central Armed Police Forces - BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB |
| No of Posts | 349 Posts |
| Advt No | Examination Notice No. 08/2026-CAPF |
| Salary | Group A (As per Govt. rules) |
| Qualification | Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent |
| Age Limit | 20 to 25 Years (as on 01-08-2026) |
| Start Date for Apply | 20/02/2026 |
| Last Date for Apply | 12/03/2026 (till 18:00 hours) |
| Exam Date | 19th July, 2026 |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in, https://upsconline.nic.in |
UPSC Assistant Commandants Vacancy 2026 Details
| S.No | Force Name | Number of Vacancies |
| 1 | Border Security Force (BSF) | 108 |
| 2 | Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) | 106 |
| 3 | Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) | 70 |
| 4 | Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) | 53 |
| 5 | Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | 12 |
| TOTAL | 349 |
Note: The number of vacancies mentioned above is tentative and liable to alteration. Reservation will be given effect to as per Government policy. 10% of the total vacancies are earmarked for Ex-servicemen.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- A candidate must be a citizen of India.
- With the consent of the Central Government signified in writing, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan may also be appointed.
Sex
- Both Male and Female candidates are eligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Commandants.
Educational Qualification
- A candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree of a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India OR from educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament OR declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 OR possess an equivalent qualification.
- Candidates who have appeared at an examination the passing of which would render them educationally qualified but have not been informed of the results will also be eligible.
- Candidates who intend to appear at such a qualifying examination in the year 2026 will also be eligible. However, qualified candidates must produce proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination (Degree Certificate/Final Mark Sheet/Provisional Degree Certificate) within the time limit prescribed in the Rules.
- Degree/Post Graduate/Diploma qualifications acquired through distance learning/part-time are NOT considered.
Important Notes on Qualification
- In exceptional cases, the Commission may treat a candidate who does not have the foregoing qualifications as qualified, provided the candidate has passed an examination of equivalent standard.
- Candidates possessing professional and technical qualifications recognized by Government as equivalent to professional and technical degrees are also eligible.
- All qualifications must be from UGC-recognised Universities/Deemed Universities/MHRD-approved autonomous institutions.
Salary/Stipend
- Post: Assistant Commandants (Group A) in Central Armed Police Forces.
- Pay Scale: Details not mentioned in the notification, but candidates will receive salary and allowances as per Government of India rules applicable to Group A officers in Central Armed Police Forces.
- The selected candidates will be appointed in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, or SSB based on their merit rank and force preference.
Age Limit (as on 01-08-2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 years (must have been born not later than 1st August, 2006).
- Maximum Age: 25 years (must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 2001).
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST candidates: Up to a maximum of 5 years.
- OBC candidates: Up to a maximum of 3 years (for those eligible to avail reservation).
- Civilian Central Government Servants/Ex-Servicemen: Up to a maximum of 5 years in accordance with existing Central Government instructions (total relaxation limited to 5 years).
- SC/ST and OBC candidates who are also Civilian Central Government Servants/Ex-servicemen: Eligible for cumulative age-relaxation under both categories.
Important Notes on Age
- The date of birth accepted is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or equivalent certificate.
- No other document relating to age (Horoscopes, Affidavits, Birth extracts from Municipal Corporation, Service records) will be accepted.
- Once Date of Birth has been submitted in the Online Application Form, no change will be allowed subsequently on any grounds whatsoever.
- Save as provided above, the age limits prescribed can in no case be relaxed.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
| General/OBC/EWS (Male Candidates) | Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred only) |
| All Female Candidates / SC / ST Candidates | NIL (Exempted from payment of fee) |
- Payment Mode: Fee can be paid either by using Net Banking Facility of any Bank or by using Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment only.
- Payment of fee through any other mode is neither valid nor acceptable.
- Applications submitted without the prescribed fee/mode (unless remission of fee is claimed) shall be summarily rejected.
- Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances nor can the fee be held in reserve for any other examination or selection.
- Important: No fee exemption is available to OBC/EWS candidates and they are required to pay the full prescribed fee.
Important Dates
| Event | Date / Time |
| Notification Date | 20/02/2026 |
| Start Date of Online Application | 20/02/2026 |
| Last Date of Online Application | 12/03/2026 (till 18:00 hours) |
| Written Examination Date | 19th July, 2026 |
| Written Exam Timing - Paper-I | 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Written Exam Timing - Paper-II | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
| e-Admit Card Download Date | Last working day of preceding week of examination date |
| Physical Standards Tests / Physical Efficiency Tests | After declaration of Written Exam result |
| Interview / Personality Test | After PST/PET (for qualified candidates) |
| Medical Standards Tests | After Interview / Personality Test |
Selection Process
Stage 1: Written Examination (19th July, 2026)
- Paper-I: General Ability and Intelligence - 250 Marks
- Duration: 2 hours (10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon)
- Type: Objective (Multiple Choice) Type questions
- Medium: English as well as Hindi
- Subjects: General Mental Ability (logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, numerical ability, data interpretation), General Science, Current Events of National & International Importance, Indian Polity & Economy, History of India, Indian & World Geography
- There will be penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers: One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
- Paper-II: General Studies, Essay and Comprehension - 200 Marks
- Duration: 3 hours (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
- Type: Conventional (Descriptive) Type
- Part-A: Essay questions (80 Marks) - to be answered in long narrative form either in Hindi or English. Topics: modern Indian history especially freedom struggle, geography, polity and economy, security and human rights issues, analytical ability.
- Part-B: Comprehension, précis writing, other communications/language skills (120 Marks) - to be attempted in English only. Topics: Comprehension passages, précis writing, developing counter arguments, simple grammar and other language testing aspects.
- Candidates must write answers only in the medium allowed. No credit for answers written in other medium.
- There will be minimum qualifying marks separately in each Paper as may be fixed by the Commission.
- Paper-I will be evaluated first and Paper-II will be evaluated only for those who obtain minimum qualifying marks in Paper-I.
Stage 2: Physical Standards Tests (PST) / Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)
- Conducted for candidates qualified in Written Examination.
- Physical Standards Requirements:
- Men: Height 165 cm, Chest 81 cm (unexpanded) with 5 cm minimum expansion, Weight 50 kg.
- Women: Height 157 cm, Weight 46 kg.
- Height and chest measurement will be measured correct to one decimal in centimeter.
- Weight should be as per height and age as per prescribed chart.
- Physical Efficiency Tests:
- Men: 100 Meter Race in 16 Seconds, 800 Meter Race in 3 Min 45 Sec, Long Jump 3.5 Meters (3 Chances), Shot Put (7.26 Kg) 4.5 Meters (3 Chances).
- Women: 100 Meter Race in 18 Seconds, 800 Meter Race in 4 Min 45 Sec, Long Jump 3.0 Meters (3 Chances).
- Female candidates must submit self-declaration about pregnancy status before PST/PET.
- Conducted under supervision of Nodal Authority appointed by Ministry of Home Affairs.
Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test
- Only for candidates qualified in PST/PET.
- Marks: 150 Marks.
- Conducted by Union Public Service Commission.
- Candidates declared unqualified in PET will not be called for Interview.
- NCC 'B' or 'C' Certificate holders will be given consideration at Interview stage.
Stage 4: Medical Standards Tests (MST)
- Conducted only for candidates who appeared in Interview/Personality Test.
- Detailed Medical Standards prescribed for Eye Sight, Ear, Nose, Neck, Teeth, General Health, etc.
- Eye Sight: Better eye 6/6 or 6/9 (corrected), Worse eye 6/12 or 6/9 (corrected), Near Vision N6/N9 (corrected), Colour Perception CP-III by ISIHARA plates.
- LASIK surgery correction permitted subject to prescribed criteria.
- Candidates declared 'UNFIT' can appear before Review Medical Board preferably next day of DME.
- Appeals against MST results must be made within 24 hours after declaration of DME results.
- Conducted under supervision of Nodal Authority appointed by Ministry of Home Affairs.
Final Selection/Merit
- Merit list drawn on basis of marks obtained in Written Examination and Interview/Personality Test.
- Any candidate found not satisfying prescribed Medical Standards after MST will not be appointed.
- Tie Breaking Principle: (i) Higher marks in written total, (ii) Higher marks in Paper-I, (iii) Senior in age, (iv) At Commission's discretion.
How to Apply
- Candidates are required to apply online only using the Commission's website: https://upsconline.nic.in. No other mode is allowed for submission of application.
- Application Process has Four Modules:
- Module 1: Account Creation - Can be filled anytime (common for all exams).
- Module 2: Universal Registration (URN) - Can be filled anytime (common for all exams). URN generated is unique and remains constant for all UPSC exams.
- Module 3: Common Application Form (CAF) - Can be filled anytime (common for all exams).
- Module 4: Examination Specific Module - Can be filled only during notification period (includes fees, centres, force preferences, etc.).
- Documents Required: Recent passport-size colour photograph, Signature, Live photograph (to be captured while filling CAF), One Photo ID Card details, Date of Birth certificate, Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets, Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) in prescribed format, Ex-servicemen certificate if applicable.
- Read General Instructions, Profile/Module-wise Instructions, and Instructions for uploading documents carefully before filling the form.
- Prepare requisite documents in advance for smooth flow during form filling.
- Pay application fee (if applicable) through Net Banking/Credit/Debit Card/UPI.
- Select examination centre from available options (first-apply-first-allot basis).
- Indicate force preferences (BSF/CRPF/CISF/ITBP/SSB).
- Review all entered information carefully before final submission.
- Take printout or save soft copy of submitted application for future reference.
- Last Date: 12th March, 2026 (till 18:00 hours). Candidates are strongly advised to apply online well in time without waiting for the last date.
- After Written Exam Result: Qualified candidates must login within 15 days window and update details/educational qualification status with proof, failing which will not be allowed in further stages.
- Download e-Admit Card from Commission's website on last working day of preceding week of examination. No Admit Card will be sent by post or email.
Important Links
UPSC CAPF (ACs) Exam 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is UPSC CAPF (ACs) Examination 2026?
Union Public Service Commission will conduct Central Armed Police Forces Assistant Commandants Examination 2026 on 19th July 2026 for recruitment of 349 Group A Assistant Commandant posts in five Central Armed Police Forces: Border Security Force (BSF) - 108 posts, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) - 106 posts, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) - 70 posts, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) - 53 posts, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) - 12 posts. Notification dated 20/02/2026.
Q2. How many total vacancies are available in UPSC CAPF (ACs) Exam 2026?
A total of 349 tentative vacancies are available across five Central Armed Police Forces. The vacancy distribution is: BSF (108), CRPF (106), CISF (70), SSB (53), and ITBP (12). The number of vacancies is liable to alteration. Reservation will be as per Government policy, with 10% of total vacancies earmarked for Ex-servicemen. Both male and female candidates are eligible.
Q3. What is the educational qualification required for UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants Exam 2026?
A candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree from a University incorporated by an Act of Central/State Legislature in India or educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or deemed University under Section-3 of UGC Act, 1956 or possess equivalent qualification. Candidates who have appeared but not received results, or intending to appear in 2026, are also eligible, but must produce proof of passing within prescribed time limit.
Q4. What is the age limit for UPSC CAPF (ACs) Examination 2026?
Minimum age is 20 years and maximum age is 25 years as on 01-08-2026. Candidates must be born between 2nd August 2001 and 1st August 2006. Age relaxation: SC/ST - 5 years, OBC - 3 years, Civilian Central Government Servants/Ex-Servicemen - 5 years. SC/ST/OBC candidates who are also Government Servants/Ex-servicemen get cumulative relaxation. Date of birth as per Matriculation certificate only accepted.
Q5. What is the application fee for UPSC CAPF (ACs) Exam 2026?
Application fee is Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred only) for General/OBC/EWS Male candidates. All Female candidates and SC/ST candidates (both male and female) are exempted from payment of fee. No fee exemption for OBC/EWS candidates. Payment through Net Banking/Credit/Debit Card/UPI only. Fee once paid is non-refundable. Applications without prescribed fee will be summarily rejected.
Q6. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants Exam 2026?
The last date for submission of online application is 12th March, 2026 (till 18:00 hours). Online applications can be filled from 20th February 2026 to 12th March 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to apply well in time without waiting for the last date. The link will be disabled after 18:00 hours on 12/03/2026. No withdrawal of application allowed after submission.
