CAPF 2024 Combined Examination for Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination 2024 is a combined recruitment process for Assistant Commandants. UPSC organizes this exam every year for the recruitment of security personnel in various defence sectors.
CAPF 2024 Schedule
Application opens April 2024
Application closes May 2024
Date of Exam First Week of August (SUNDAY)
What is CAPF
CAPF is the Central Armed Police Force
UPSC organizes the exam for the recruitment of Assistant Commandants every year in forces -:
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),
Border Security Force (BSF),
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF),
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
Indo‐Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The post of Assistant Commandant (AC) is a Group A Post.
Required Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree from a Recognised University or must possess an equivalent qualification.
Physical Standards
Following are the physical standards and medical fitness a candidate must have and should be free from any disease or disability that hinders their military duties. The minimum physical standards are:
| Category | Men | Women |
| Height | 165 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest | 81 cm | Not applicable |
| Weight | 50 kg | 46 kg |
Medical Standards
Distance Vision (Corrected): Good Eyesight 6/6 & Worse Eye 6/9
Near Vision: Better Eye N6 & Worse Eye N9
The colour vision standard will be Colour Perception-III (CP-III) by ISHIHARA plates
Desirable Qualification
Possession of an NCC ‘B’ or ‘C’ Certificate gives you an advantage that will be considered at the time of the Interview or Personality Test.
Selection Process
The selection process for recruitment of candidates in the armed forces such as SSB, ITBP, CISF, DRPF & BSF involves a four-phased successive process:
1. Written Exam:
It involves two papers – Paper I and Paper II. Candidates need to qualify at this stage by obtaining UPSC CAPF Cut-Off Marks to get shortlisted for the Physical Efficiency Tests and Medical Standards Tests.
2. Physical Efficiency Tests & Medical Standards Tests: The Physical and Medical Standards tests are different for males and females. The tests are mentioned below. Candidates need to qualify at this stage to appear for the Interview round.
3. Interview or Personality Test: Candidates who will qualify for the Physical and medical tests will be called for the Interview round which is 150 marks.
4. The Merit List: The merit is prepared on the basis of marks obtained by candidates in the Written Exam and in the Interview/Personality Test.
Exam Pattern
| Paper | Time | Marks |
| Paper I
(General Ability & Intelligence) |
10:00 am to 12:00 Noon | 250 Marks |
| Paper II
(General Studies, Essay & Comprehension) |
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | 200 Marks |
Language-: The Papers are bilingual – Hindi & English, except English Paper
The Time Duration
Paper I is 2 hours and Paper II is 3 Hours
In Paper I, questions will be asked in Objective Multiple Choice (MCQ) types
In Paper II, questions will be asked in a descriptive format
per-I will be checked first and Paper II will be checked of those candidates who qualify for Paper I by obtaining minimum qualifying marks
For the Objective MCQ paper, there will be a negative marking of 1/3rd marks for each wrong answer
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Test | Male | Female |
| 100 Meter race | 16 Seconds | 18 Seconds |
| 800 Meter race | 3 minutes 45 second | 4 minutes 45 second |
| Long Jump | 3.5 Meters (3 chances) | 3.0 Meters (3 chances) |
| Shot Put (7.26 Kgs.) | 4.5 Meters | – |
Note- In case of Pregnancy at the time of PET will lead to the disqualification of candidates.
Medical Standard Tests will be conducted for those candidates who qualify for the physical test.
UPSC CAPF Syllabus
Paper I
General Ability and Intelligence
General Mental Ability
Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
Numerical ability
Data Interpretation
General Science
General Awareness
Scientific Temper
Comprehension & Appreciation of Scientific Phenomena
Information Technology
Biotechnology
Environmental Science
Current Events – National and International Importance
Current affairs of national and international importance
Culture & Music
Arts & Literature
Sports
Governance
Societal & Developmental Issues
Industry
Business
Globalisation
Indian Polity and Economy
Indian History
Indian and World Geography
Paper II
General Studies, Essay and Comprehension
Part-A – Essay questions (80 Marks)
Indian history/freedom struggle/geography/polity/ economy/knowledge of security/ human rights issues/ analytical ability
Part-B – Comprehension, precise writing & Others (Marks 120)
Comprehension passages, precise writing, counterarguments, English Grammar and language testing