UPSC CAPF AC Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern: Subject-Wise Topics & Details

The UPSC Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) Assistant Commandant exam is an annual recruitment drive for Grade A Officers in the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. To excel in the 2026 selection process, candidates must master the official UPSC CAPF AC syllabus and exam pattern. Understanding the curriculum is essential for strategic preparation and prioritizing high-weightage topics. Review the comprehensive syllabus and exam structure below to streamline your study plan.

UPSC CAPF AC Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026

The official UPSC CAPF AC 2026 notification is expected in February 2026, with the exam scheduled for 19th July 2026. The examination consists of two papers: Paper 1, focusing on General Ability and Intelligence, and Paper 2, covering General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension. Mastering this syllabus is the foundational step toward building an effective strategy for success.

UPSC CAPF AC Syllabus 2026
Examination	Central Armed Police Force Assistant Commandant Exam (UPSC CAPF AC Exam)
Organisation	Union Public Service Commission
UPSC CAPF AC Exam Date 2026	19th July 2026
Selection	Three rounds
First Round	Paper-I based on General Ability and Intelligence (Objective) Paper-II based on General Studies, Essay and Comprehension (descriptive)
Negative Marking	Only for Paper-I of first-round; (0.33) marks deducts for each wrong answer
Second round	Physical Ability Test
Third round	Interview/Personality Test

UPSC CAPF Notification 2026: Apply for 349 Vacancies - Click Here

UPSC CAPF AC Selection Process 2026

The multi-stage selection process includes a written exam, Physical Standards Test (PST)/Physical Efficiency Test (PET), medical examination, and a final interview/personality test. Final merit is determined by the cumulative performance in the written examination and the personality test.

• Written Examination 
• Physical test
• Interview

UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern 2026

The UPSC CAPF 2026 written exam serves as the preliminary stage for shortlisting candidates for the Physical and Medical assessment phases. The test is strictly based on the exam pattern defined by the UPSC in the official notification.

1. Papers I & II will be in bilingual language & English, excluding the English paper
2. Paper I is of 2 hours duration, and Paper II is of 3 Hours duration
3. Paper- I will consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) with a negative marking of 1/3rd marks for each wrong answer
4. Paper II is in a descriptive format
5. Paper-I is a qualifying stage; Paper-II will only be checked for those candidates who clear the Paper I

UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern 2026
Paper Name	Time Duration	Marks
Paper- I  General and Mental Ability	2 hours	250 marks
Paper-II  General Studies, Essay and Comprehension	3 Hours	200 marks
Total		450 marks

UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern 2026
Particulars	Paper-I	Paper-II
Name of Paper	General Ability and Intelligence	General Studies Essay Comprehensive
Total Marks	250	200
Duration of exam	2 hours	3 hours
Number of Questions	125	7
Marks for each correct answer	2	50
Negative Marking	1/3	-
Type of Paper	Objective	Descriptive format

UPSC CAPF AC Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1

The UPSC CAPF AC exam features two papers with a maximum total of 550 marks. Paper-I evaluates General Ability and Intelligence, while Paper-II tests candidates on General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension. Explore the detailed syllabus for the 2026 exam below.

Paper 1: General Ability & Intelligence

UPSC CAPF Paper 1 covers General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Indian Polity, History, and Geography. Align your study schedule with this section-wise syllabus to ensure comprehensive coverage of all critical topics.

General Mental Ability

Paper-I comprises a written objective test encompassing various General Ability subjects, including analytical General Mental Ability questions.

1. Logical Reasoning
2. Quantitative Aptitude
3. Numerical ability
4. Data Interpretation

General Science

1. General Awareness
2. Scientific Temper
3. Comprehension & Appreciation of Scientific Phenomena
4. Information Technology
5. Biotechnology
6. Environmental Science

Current Affairs

Questions will assess Current Affairs of national and international significance, covering key global and regional developments.

1. Culture
2. Music
3. Arts
4. Literature
5. Sports
6. Governance
7. Societal and Developmental Issues
8. Industry
9. Business
10. Globalisation

Indian Polity

The syllabus includes questions spanning the following key areas:

1. Indian political system
2. Constitution of India
3. Social systems and public administration
4. Economic development in India
5. Regional and international security issues
6. Human rights & its indicators

Indian History

The examination evaluates the candidate's understanding of India’s struggle for independence and the development of nationalism.

1. Indian History, Culture and Civilisation
2. Freedom Movement in India
3. Indian Constitution and Administration
4. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India
5. Panchayati Raj
6. Co-operatives and Community Development
7. Forces shaping Modern India
8. Renaissance
9. Exploration and Discovery

India & World Geography

1. Earth
2. Latitudes and Longitudes
3. Concept of time
4. International Date Line
5. Movements of Earth and their effects
6. Origin of Earth
7. Rocks and their classification
8. Weathering
9. Earthquakes and Volcanoes
10. Ocean Currents and Tides
11. The atmosphere and its composition
12. Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure
13. Planetary Winds
14. Cyclones and Anti-cyclones
15. Humidity
16. Condensation and Precipitation
17. Types of Climate
18. Major Natural Regions of the World
19. Regional Geography of India
20. Mineral and Power resources
21. Imports and Exports of India
22. World Geography

UPSC CAPF Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2

Paper II focuses on descriptive writing, including essays and comprehension. Essays may be written in English or Hindi, whereas the comprehension segment and language skills section must be completed in English only.

Part A (80 Marks): Essay

Essay topics are designed to cover a broad spectrum of issues, including:

1. Modern Indian History
2. Freedom Struggle
3. Geography
4. Polity
5. Economy
6. Security
7. Human Rights
8. Analytical Ability

Part B (120 Marks)

1. Comprehensions
2. Précis writing
3. Communications/language skills
4. Developing counter arguments
5. Simple grammar
6. Other aspects

UPSC CAPF Selection Process 2026

The fundamental structure of the UPSC CAPF exam process is outlined below. Candidates must successfully navigate each stage to secure a position as an Assistant Commandant:

• Written Examination - The UPSC CAPF written exam comprises two papers. Paper 1 includes the topics from General Ability and Intelligence and Paper 2 from General Studies, Essays, and Comprehension. The questions will consist of objective-type multiple-choice questions. Questions will be set in English as well as Hindi.
• Physical Test - Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be called to appear for PST/PET and Medical Standards Tests.
• Interview/ Personality Tests - Candidates declared qualified in the Medical Standards Tests, will be called for Interview/Personality Test. The Interview exam will carry 150 Marks. The final merit list of candidates will be based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the written exam and Interview.

UPSC CAPF Physical Standards Test (PST)

Candidates who qualify for the written exam proceed to the Physical Standards Test (PST). Only those meeting these specific criteria move forward to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).

Category of Candidates	Men	Women
Height	165 cm	157 cm
Chest	81 cm unexpanded - with 5 cm minimum expansion	NA
Weight	50 kg.	46 kg.

UPSC CAPF Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

Following the written examination, qualifiers are assessed for physical fitness. Candidates meeting the prescribed UPSC standards are evaluated through the Physical Efficiency Tests detailed below:

Particulars	Male	Female
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	-

UPSC CAPF Interview / Personality Test

Those who clear the Medical Standards Test advance to the Interview/Personality Test, which carries 150 marks. The final merit list is prepared by aggregating marks from both the written examination and the interview.

Tips for Preparing for the UPSC CAPF AC Exam

• Prepare Yourself: Before starting your preparation for the UPSC CAPF Exam 2026, it is essential to prepare yourself for the journey. This includes mentally and physically preparing yourself for the examination. Set goals for yourself and allocate your time effectively to achieve them.
• Understand the Exam: It is important to create a well-structured study plan that covers all the subjects and topics mentioned in the syllabus. Divide your time between different subjects wisely and allocate specific study hours each day. Set realistic goals and deadlines for completing topics.
•  Get all the details about the UPSC CAPF syllabus: Candidates must go through the detailed syllabus to understand which subjects or concepts are covered in each syllabus and which ones are given more weight or significance.
• Stay updated with current affairs: Regularly read newspapers, watch the news, and subscribe to reputable current affairs magazines or websites to stay updated on current events.
•  Create a Timetable for UPSC CAPF Preparation: You should create a comfortable and structured study schedule to help streamline your preparation. A timetable can help plan academic activities and produce positive outcomes.
• Solve previous year's question papers: The best and most efficient way to understand the exam format and syllabus is to solve the previous year's test questions. This helps you in answering every question that might be asked during the exam.

UPSC CAPF Subject Wise Weightage

UPSC CAPF Paper 1 is an objective test, while Paper 2 is subjective. Utilizing the subject-wise weightage allows candidates to analyze question patterns and prioritize preparation effectively. Refer to the weightage table provided below.

Subjects	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
Physics	09	08	07	01	08
Chemistry	10	08	07	09	08
Biology	09	10	07	04	04
Environment	04	04	04	12	03
Indian Geography	06	05	08	11	07
World Geography	09	15	11	09	09
Ancient	07	01	06	03	01
Medieval	05	04	00	03	00
Modern	05	15	12	15	19
CA	09	10	11	18	26
Art Culture	03	00	02	02	01
Micro Economics	04	08	02	00	00