Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Assistant Commandant (AC) Recruitment 2026 notification. This is one of the most prestigious central government job opportunities for graduates who want to serve in India’s paramilitary forces. Through this recruitment, UPSC will fill vacancies for the post of Assistant Commandant in five major central armed police forces — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
The notification was released on 18 February 2026 and the last date to apply online is 10 March 2026. Candidates who wish to join India’s paramilitary service must not miss this window. The written examination is scheduled for 19 July 2026.
If you have a graduation degree and are between 20 to 25 years of age, this could be the government job you have been waiting for. Read this article completely to understand everything about this recruitment — from eligibility to salary to how to apply step by step.
What is UPSC CAPF AC?
CAPF stands for Central Armed Police Forces. The Assistant Commandant is a Group A Gazetted Officer post — one of the most respected positions in the Indian paramilitary system. An Assistant Commandant leads a unit of jawans, manages operations on the ground, and is responsible for border security, internal security, and anti-terrorist operations depending on the force.
The five forces under this recruitment are:
- BSF (Border Security Force) – Guards India’s international borders
- CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) – India’s largest central armed police force
- CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) – Secures airports, government buildings, nuclear plants
- ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) – Guards the India-China border in the Himalayas
- SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) – Secures India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan
Being selected as an Assistant Commandant means you will wear a uniform with pride, hold a position of authority, and serve the nation at the highest level.
Vacancy Details
The exact force-wise vacancy breakdown will be available on the official UPSC website. The total number of vacancies is expected to be in the range of 250 to 350 posts across all five forces combined. Vacancies include both male and female candidates, as all five forces now recruit women officers too.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Any bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution. There is no specific subject requirement — any stream (Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering) is accepted. Final year students can also apply, provided they complete their degree before the time of interview.
Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026): Minimum 20 years and Maximum 25 years. Age relaxation: SC/ST candidates get 5 years extra. OBC candidates get 3 years extra. Ex-servicemen get relaxation as per government rules. PwBD candidates get 10 years of age relaxation.
Physical Standards: Male candidates must have a minimum height of 165 cm and chest measurement of 81 cm (unexpanded) with 5 cm expansion. Female candidates must have a minimum height of 157 cm. Candidates will also be required to pass a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) that includes running, long jump, and high jump.
Medical Standards: Candidates must be physically and mentally fit. Good eyesight with or without correctable vision is required. Detailed medical criteria are mentioned in the official notification on upsc.gov.in.
Application Fee
General and OBC candidates: ₹200 SC / ST / Female / PwBD candidates: No fee (fully exempted)
Fee can be paid online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
Salary and Benefits
The Assistant Commandant post falls under Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).
Basic Pay: ₹56,100 per month With Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance, the approximate total in-hand salary ranges between ₹60,000 to ₹75,000 per month depending on the posting location.
Additional benefits include:
- Government accommodation or HRA
- Free medical facilities for self and family
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- National Pension System (NPS)
- Risk and hardship allowance for border postings
- Chances for promotion to Deputy Commandant, Commandant, DIG, IG, and ADG levels
Selection Process
The selection for UPSC CAPF AC 2026 happens in four stages:
Stage 1 – Written Examination (19 July 2026) The exam has two papers conducted on the same day. Paper 1 is objective type (multiple choice) of 250 marks covering General Ability and Intelligence. Duration is 2 hours. Paper 2 is descriptive type of 200 marks covering General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension. Duration is 3 hours.
Stage 2 – Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) Candidates who qualify the written exam will be called for physical tests. This includes running events, long jump, and high jump for both male and female candidates.
Stage 3 – Medical Examination A detailed medical checkup is conducted by a government medical board to verify fitness as per CAPF standards.
Stage 4 – Interview / Personality Test The final stage is a personality test of 150 marks conducted by the UPSC board. This is not just a formal interview — the board evaluates your mental alertness, leadership ability, communication, and overall personality.
Final merit list is prepared based on written exam marks plus interview marks.
Important Dates
Notification Date: 18 February 2026 Application Start Date: 18 February 2026 Last Date to Apply Online: 10 March 2026 Written Exam Date: 19 July 2026 Admit Card: Available on upsc.gov.in approximately 3 weeks before exam
How to Apply
- Go to the official UPSC website: https://upsc.gov.in
- Click on “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC”
- Select “CAPF (AC) Examination 2026” from the list
- Register with your email ID and mobile number to generate your login ID
- Fill in all personal, educational, and other required details carefully
- Upload scanned passport-size photo and signature in the required format and size
- Pay the application fee online if applicable
- Review your form carefully and click Submit
- Download and print the final submitted application form for your records
Disclaimer: All information in this article is based on the official UPSC notification released on 18 February 2026. Candidates are advised to read the full official notification on upsc.gov.in before applying. Dates and vacancy numbers may be updated by UPSC at any time.
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