The UPSC CAPF AC Eligibility Criteria 2026 are essential for candidates aspiring to join as Assistant Commandants in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. Candidates must be Indian citizens, aged between 20 and 25 years, and hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university to be eligible for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant Exam 2026.
The official notification was released on February 18, 2026, confirming these details along with the application process.
UPSC CAPF AC 2026 – Overview
|
Exam Name |
UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2026 |
|---|---|
|
Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|
Post Name |
Assistant Commandant (AC) |
|
Forces Covered |
BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB |
|
Notification Date |
18 February 2026 |
|
Application Last Date |
10 March 2026 |
|
Exam Date |
19 July 2026 |
|
Exam Mode |
Offline (Pen & Paper) |
|
Application Fee |
₹200 (Female/SC/ST exempted) |
|
Official Website |
UPSC CAPF AC Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Complete Details
Nationality
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Candidates must be citizens of India.
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Subjects of Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible under certain conditions.
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No person who is not a citizen of India shall be appointed without the consent of the Central Government.
Age Limit
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Minimum Age: 20 years
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Maximum Age: 25 years
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Age is calculated as on August 1, 2026.
Candidates must have been born not earlier than August 2, 2001, and not later than August 1, 2006.
Age Relaxation (Category-wise)
|
Category |
Age Relaxation |
Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
|
General / EWS |
No relaxation |
25 years |
|
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
+3 years |
28 years |
|
SC / ST |
+5 years |
30 years |
|
J&K Domiciled Candidates |
+5 years |
30 years |
|
Ex-Servicemen (Commissioned Officers) |
+5 years |
30 years |
|
Civilian Central Government Servants |
+5 years |
30 years |
|
Defence Personnel (Disabled in Operations) |
+3 years |
28 years |
Note: Candidates from SC/ST or OBC categories who also qualify under other relaxation groups (e.g., Ex-Servicemen, Central Government Servants, J&K Domicile) can claim cumulative relaxation.
Educational Qualification
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Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institution.
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Final-year students awaiting results are eligible to apply, but they must provide proof of passing when submitting the Detailed Application Form (DAF).
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No minimum percentage is required.
Gender
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Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
Marital Status
-
No specific marital status criteria are prescribed.
UPSC CAPF AC Physical Standards 2026
Height, Weight & Chest Requirements
|
Parameter |
Male |
Female |
|---|---|---|
|
Height (Minimum) |
165 cm |
157 cm |
|
Weight (Minimum) |
50 kg |
46 kg |
|
Chest (Unexpanded) |
81 cm |
Not Applicable |
|
Chest Expansion |
Minimum 5 cm |
Not Applicable |
Relaxed height/weight standards apply for candidates from hill areas, tribal communities, and specific regions (e.g., Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Gorkhas, Nagas, etc.), as detailed in the official notification.
CAPF AC Eligibility for Women Candidates
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Women must meet a minimum height of 157 cm and weight of 46 kg.
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Chest measurement does not apply to female candidates.
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Women are eligible for appointment in all five CAPF forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB).
UPSC CAPF AC Medical Standards 2026
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Distant Vision (Better Eye) |
6/6 or 6/9 |
|
Distant Vision (Worse Eye) |
6/12 or 6/9 |
|
Near Vision (Better Eye) |
N6 |
|
Near Vision (Worse Eye) |
N9 |
|
Refractive Error Limit |
-4.00D Myopia / +4.00D Hypermetropia |
|
Ears |
No deafness or chronic ear discharge |
|
Nose |
No deviated nasal septum, chronic sinusitis |
|
Teeth |
Adequate healthy teeth for proper mastication |
|
Tattoo |
Only on inner forearm or dorsum of hand (maximum ¼ of body part) |
|
Skin Disorders |
No leprosy, chronic eczema, psoriasis, or SLE |
Number of Attempts
There is no specific limit on the number of attempts for UPSC CAPF AC, provided candidates meet the age and other eligibility criteria at the time of applying.
Important Points Candidates Must Know
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Carry valid photo ID and admit card to the exam centre.
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Application fee is ₹200; exempted for SC/ST and female candidates.
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Selection process includes three stages: Written Exam → PET/PST & Medical Test → Interview/Personality Test (150 marks).
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The written exam comprises Paper I (250 marks, 2 hours) and Paper II (200 marks, 3 hours).
How to Check Official Eligibility in the Notification
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Visit the official website: upsc.gov.in
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Click on the "Examinations" tab.
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Find and download the CAPF (AC) Examination 2026 notification PDF.
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Refer to the "Conditions of Eligibility" section.
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Verify your age, qualification, nationality, and physical standards.
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If eligible, apply online before March 10, 2026.
