The UPSC CAPF AC Salary 2026 offers an attractive package for Assistant Commandants in the Central Armed Police Forces. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandant) Examination to recruit Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers for forces like BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
UPSC CAPF AC Salary 2026 Overview
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandant) Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Commandant (AC) in CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB etc.) |
| Pay Commission | 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) |
| Pay Level | Pay Matrix Level-10 |
| Basic Pay (Entry) | ₹56,100 per month |
| In-hand Salary Range | Around ₹49,000–₹85,000 per month, depending on allowances/deductions |
| Service Type | Central Armed Police Forces, a central government service |
| Govt Job Category | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer (Assistant Commandant) |
UPSC CAPF AC Post-Wise Salary (Rank Wise Structure)
CAPF officers follow a structured hierarchy under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix. The entry-level Assistant Commandant starts at Level 10, with progressive increases through promotions.
| Rank | Pay Matrix Level | Basic Pay Range (7th CPC) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commandant | Level-10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Deputy Commandant | Level-11 | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 |
| Second-in-Command / Sr. Commandant | Level-12/13 | Around ₹78,800 – ₹2,15,900 (varies by cadre) |
| Commandant | Level-13 | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 (or upgraded scales) |
| Deputy Inspector General (DIG) | Level-13A/14 | Around ₹1,31,000 – ₹2,16,600 |
| Inspector General (IG) | Level-14 | Around ₹1,44,000/- to ₹2,18,000/- |
| Additional Director General (ADG) | Level-15 | Around ₹1,82,000/- to ₹2, 24,100/- |
| Director General (DG) | Apex Scale | Fixed ₹2,25,000 per month |
The maximum salary in a CAPF career reaches the DG’s fixed apex pay of ₹2,25,000, plus perks.
UPSC CAPF AC In-Hand Salary 2026
The initial basic pay for a CAPF Assistant Commandant is ₹56,100 (Level-10). In-hand salary varies significantly:
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In standard postings: Approximately ₹49,000–₹55,000 after deductions.
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In high-allowance areas (e.g., metro cities, hard/risk postings): Up to ₹75,000–₹85,000 per month.
Variations depend on posting city (HRA class X/Y/Z), government accommodation availability, hard area/risk allowances, and deductions like NPS and taxes. Gross earnings often reach ₹80,000+ in active field postings.
UPSC CAPF AC Salary Structure (7th Pay Commission)
Under 7th CPC, the pay is mapped to Level-10 (entry basic ₹56,100, up to ₹1,77,500 through increments).
- Annual Increment: ~3% of basic pay, increasing DA and percentage-based allowances.
Key Components:
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Basic Pay (level and stage-based).
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Dearness Allowance (DA): Percentage of basic, revised bi-annually for inflation.
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House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8–24% of basic (city class-dependent; nil if government quarters provided).
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Transport Allowance (TA) + DA on TA.
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Special/risk/hard area allowances (posting-specific).
UPSC CAPF AC Allowances & Benefits
CAPF AC officers receive comprehensive perks:
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Dearness Allowance (DA): Inflation-linked, bi-annual revisions.
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House Rent Allowance (HRA): 24%/16%/8% based on city; often replaced by government quarters.
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Transport Allowance (TA): Fixed slabs with DA.
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Hard Area / Risk & Hardship Allowance: Significant boost in high-risk, border, or high-altitude areas.
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Field Area / Counter-Insurgency Allowance: For operational deployments.
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Ration Allowance / Free Rations: Cash or in-kind.
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Uniform Allowance: Annual grant and maintenance.
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Medical Facilities: CGHS/force hospitals for self and dependents.
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Government Accommodation: Subsidised quarters, mess, and canteen.
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Leave & LTC: Earned/casual leave, family travel concessions.
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Pension & NPS: National Pension System with government contribution, gratuity.
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Group Insurance: Coverage and welfare funds.
UPSC CAPF AC Salary Slip (Sample Structure)
A typical monthly slip includes:
Earnings:
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Basic Pay
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DA
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HRA (or 0 if in quarters)
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TA + DA on TA
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Risk/Hardship/Field allowances
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Ration/Uniform/special duty
Deductions:
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NPS (10% of Basic + DA; government matches)
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Income Tax TDS
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CGHS/medical
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Group insurance/fund
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Mess/regimental charges
Net in-hand is gross minus deductions.
UPSC CAPF AC Salary Deductions
Deductions reduce gross to in-hand:
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NPS: 10% employee contribution (matched by government).
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Income Tax: TDS after exemptions (HRA, NPS, etc.).
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CGHS/Medical: Nominal monthly.
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Insurance/Funds: Force-specific.
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Mess/Welfare: If using facilities.
These typically lower a ₹80,000+ gross to ₹50,000–₹85,000 net.
UPSC CAPF AC Job Profile & Roles
Assistant Commandants lead troops in:
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Commanding companies/platoons.
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Internal security, riot control, counter-insurgency.
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Border management, patrols, and anti-smuggling.
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Disaster response and humanitarian aid.
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Administration, training, logistics, coordination.
UPSC CAPF AC Probation Period
New ACs undergo 10–12 months of rigorous training in CAPF academies, followed by field postings. Probation is typically 2 years, with confirmation after satisfactory performance and assessments.
UPSC CAPF AC Promotion Timeline
Promotions depend on performance, vacancies, and rules (indicative):
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Assistant Commandant to Deputy Commandant: ~6–8 years.
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Deputy Commandant to Second-in-Command/Commandant: ~6–10 years more.
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Higher ranks (DIG/IG/ADG/DG): 20–30+ years, based on record and vacancies.
UPSC CAPF AC Salary After Promotion
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Deputy Commandant (Level-11): Basic ₹67,700+; gross often >₹1.2 lakh.
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Commandant/Sr. Commandant (Levels-12/13): Basic ₹78,800–₹1,23,100; gross >₹1.5 lakh with allowances.
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DIG/IG/ADG: High levels with substantial perks.
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DG: Fixed ₹2,25,000 + top perks.
Promotions increase basic, DA, HRA, and risk allowances significantly.
UPSC CAPF AC Salary Growth Over Time
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After 5 years: Near top increments or Deputy Commandant; gross ₹1.1–1.3 lakh.
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After 10 years: Deputy/Sr. Commandant; often ₹1.4–1.6 lakh+.
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After 15+ years: Commandant+; ₹1.8–2.0 lakh+ in hard postings.
Combined with housing, medical, LTC, and pension, total compensation is highly competitive.
UPSC CAPF AC Career Growth & Long-Term Benefits
CAPF AC offers Group ‘A’ status, job security, prestige, structured promotions, and lifetime benefits like NPS corpus, gratuity, and post-retirement medical. It provides strong financial and professional rewards through leadership roles and stability.
UPSC CAPF AC vs IPS Salary (Optional High CTR Section)
Both follow similar 7th CPC levels at equivalent ranks. IPS offers All India Service diversity; CAPF AC provides armed forces-style command and higher risk allowances in field postings, making it a strong alternative.
Job Posting & Work Environment
ACs serve in:
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BSF: Border duties.
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CRPF: Internal security/counter-insurgency.
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CISF: Installations/airports.
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ITBP: High-altitude Indo-China border.
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SSB: Indo-Nepal/Bhutan borders.
Postings mix field and peace, affecting allowances and lifestyle.
