The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification (Advt. No. 08/2026-CPF) for the UPSC CAPF AC Recruitment 2026. This highly anticipated recruitment drive aims to fill 349 Assistant Commandant (Group A) vacancies across India’s Central Armed Police Forces, including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. The online application window is now open as of February 20, 2026. Eligible graduates who aspire to serve the nation in a leadership role must submit their applications before the deadline on March 12, 2026.
Recruitment Overview
The following table provides a comprehensive summary of the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 examination details.
| Criterion | Details |
| Recruitment Board | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 08/2026-CPF |
| Total Vacancies | 349 Posts |
| Post Name | Assistant Commandant (AC) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
Candidates must carefully track the following timeline to ensure they do not miss any critical deadlines.
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Start Date | February 20, 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | March 12, 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | March 12, 2026 |
| Written Exam Date | July 19, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | July 2026 |
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, or Mobile Wallet.
| Category | Fee Amount |
| General / OBC | ₹ 200/- |
| SC / ST / PH Candidates | ₹ 0/- (Exempted) |
| All Female Candidates | ₹ 0/- (Exempted) |
Vacancy Details
The commission has announced 349 vacancies distributed across the five primary paramilitary forces.
| Department Name | Total 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 | 349 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must strictly meet the educational and age requirements defined by the UPSC to be eligible for the examination.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university in India.
- Note: Final-year students are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Age Limit (As on 01 August 2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 25 Years
- Date of Birth Range: Candidates must have been born between August 2, 2001, and August 1, 2006.
- Age Relaxation: Applicable for reserved categories (e.g., OBC – 3 years, SC/ST – 5 years) as per government rules.
Physical Eligibility Details
Candidates must meet stringent physical standards to qualify for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
| PET Details | Male | Female |
| Height | 165 CMS | 157 CMS |
| Chest | 81-86 CMS | N/A |
| 100 Meter Race | 16 Seconds | 18 Seconds |
| 800 Meter Race | 3 Minutes 45 Seconds | 4 Minutes 45 Seconds |
| Long Jump | 3.5 Meters (3 Chances) | 3.0 Meters (3 Chances) |
| Shot Put (7.26 Kgs) | 4.5 Meters | N/A |
Selection Process
The selection for this prestigious role involves four rigorous stages:
- Written Examination: Two papers (Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence; Paper II: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension).
- Physical Standards/Physical Efficiency Tests (PET): Qualifying in nature.
- Medical Standards Test: To ensure candidates are medically fit for active duty.
- Interview / Personality Test: Carries 150 marks for final merit calculation.
How to Apply Online
Follow these steps to submit your application for the UPSC CAPF AC Recruitment 2026:
- Visit the official UPSC online application portal (upsconline.nic.in).
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t already done so to generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Log in and click on the link to apply for the “Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026”.
- Fill out Part-I (Personal details) and Part-II (Payment, Center selection, Photo/Signature upload) of the application form.
- Pay the application fee of ₹ 200/- (if applicable).
- Submit the final form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Links
| Link Title | Direct Link |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the last date to apply for UPSC CAPF AC 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is March 12, 2026, until 6:00 PM.
Q2: When will the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 written exam be conducted?
The written examination is officially scheduled for July 19, 2026.
Q3: Can final-year graduation students apply?
Yes, candidates in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree can apply, provided they produce proof of passing before the interview stage.
Q4: Is there any application fee for female candidates?
No, all female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee.
Q5: What is the age limit for General category candidates?
The age limit for General category candidates is 20 to 25 years as of August 01, 2026.