UPSC CAPF AC (Assistant Commandant) Exam Pattern 2026
The full UPSC CAPF AC (Assistant Commandant) exam pattern for 2026 — 4 stages, with the sections, question count, marks, duration and negative marking for each, as set by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Then take a free UPSC CAPF AC (Assistant Commandant) mock in the real pattern below.
Stage 1A — Paper I: General Ability & Intelligence (Objective)
- Mode
- Offline OMR-based objective test
- Sections
- General Mental Ability · General Science · Current Events of National and International Importance · Indian Polity & Economy · Indian History · Indian and World Geography
- Questions
- 125 multiple-choice questions
- Marks
- 250 marks (2 marks per question)
- Duration
- 2 hours (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, typical schedule)
- Negative marking
- 1/3 of the marks for that question deducted per wrong answer
Counts in final merit. Both English and Hindi versions of the question paper are provided. General Mental Ability is the highest-yield section (rewards arithmetic + reasoning practice); General Science is the lowest-yield per hour spent given the breadth of NCERT 9-12 syllabus.
Stage 1B — Paper II: General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (Conventional)
- Mode
- Offline descriptive/written examination
- Sections
- Section A — Essay (any one topic from 5-6 options, in English or Hindi, 80 marks). Section B — Comprehension passage + précis writing (300 words → 100 words) + English grammar, sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks, vocabulary in context (120 marks, English only).
- Questions
- Essay (1 of 5-6 options) + Comprehension + Précis + Grammar/Vocabulary blocks
- Marks
- 200 marks
- Duration
- 3 hours (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, same day as Paper I)
- Negative marking
- Not applicable (conventional paper)
Paper II marks count in the final merit for candidates of ALL categories. Every candidate must score at least 25% in Paper II (Ex-servicemen get a lower minimum per the notification); a candidate who fails that minimum is not evaluated further. Essay can be written in English OR Hindi; Section B (comprehension/précis/grammar) must be answered in English only.
Stage 2 — Physical Efficiency Test, Physical Standards Test and Medical Standards Test
- Mode
- Offline at designated CAPF training centres
- Sections
- PET events (100m sprint, 800m run, long jump, shotput for men) + PST (height, chest, weight measurements) + MST (visual acuity, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, ENT, dental and general medical examination).
- Questions
- Not applicable
- Marks
- Qualifying only — does NOT contribute to final merit
- Duration
- Conducted over 2-3 days per candidate, scheduled in batches
- Negative marking
- Not applicable
PET timings (men): 100m in 16 seconds, 800m in 3 minutes 45 seconds, long jump 3.5m (3 chances), shotput 4.5m with a 7.26 kg shot. PET timings (women): 100m in 18 seconds, 800m in 4 minutes 45 seconds, long jump 3.0m (3 chances) — no shotput. PST: men 165 cm height (relaxations for hill, ST, Gorkha, Garhwali, Kumaoni and certain communities) with 81-86 cm chest expansion; women 157 cm height with category-specific relaxations. MST is A-1 (full uncorrected visual acuity, no major medical condition, surgery-free with documented exceptions). Failing PET, PST or MST eliminates the candidate from the cycle.
Stage 3 — Personality Test / Interview
- Mode
- Offline panel interview at UPSC Bhawan, Dholpur House, New Delhi
- Sections
- Personality assessment based on the Detailed Application Form (DAF) — academic record, hobbies, work experience, hometown/state context, current affairs (especially internal security, border management, paramilitary doctrine), situational judgement and leadership orientation.
- Questions
- Not applicable
- Marks
- 150 marks
- Duration
- 20-30 minutes per candidate, single sitting
- Negative marking
- Not applicable
Only candidates clearing the written cut-off AND the entire PET/PST/MST block are called for the personality test. Final merit = Paper I (250) + Paper II (200) + Interview (150) = 600 marks. Force allotment (BSF/CRPF/CISF/ITBP/SSB) is done by UPSC based on merit, candidate preference and category-wise vacancy break-up.
You know the pattern — now practise in it.
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