CAPF Assistant Commandant

Leading a company of jawans in one of five forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Work includes guarding borders (BSF, ITBP, SSB), internal security and anti-insurgency duty (CRPF), and protecting airports, metro systems and industrial sites (CISF). You plan duties, train and look after your team, and handle emergencies and disasters.

A day in the work
You start early with parade or PT alongside your company. Then you review duty rosters, check weapons and equipment, and meet your jawans about problems like leave, health or ration. Depending on your force, the day may include a border patrol briefing, a security check at an airport or industrial plant, or planning an operation. Evenings often mean paperwork, reports and being on call if something goes wrong.

1. Step 1 · Class 7–12Build fitness early and keep it up. The physical tests use a 100 m sprint, an 800 m run and a long jump (plus shot put for men). Men need to be at least 165 cm tall and women 157 cm (small relaxations apply for some categories). Read newspapers daily, because the written exam tests general awareness and essay writing.
2. Step 2 · Class 12 and college (about 3 years)Choose any degree you can do well in. Join NCC if you can. The official notice says NCC 'B' or 'C' certificates are desirable and are considered only at the interview. Your age on 1 August of the exam year must be 20 to 25 (relaxed for SC/ST by up to 5 years and OBC by up to 3 years).
3. Step 3 · Written exam (apply Feb–March, exam in July)UPSC holds one written exam a year. In 2026 applications ran from 20 February to 12 March and the exam was on 19 July. It has an objective paper on general ability and intelligence, and a descriptive paper on general studies, essay and comprehension (about 250 and 200 marks, reported). There is no limit on attempts, only the age limit (reported).
4. Step 4 · Physical standards, efficiency tests and medicalThose who pass the written exam are called for height, chest and weight checks, then timed running and jumping events. In 2026 these were held 13–16 October, with Sashastra Seema Bal as the nodal force (reported). They are pass-or-fail and carry no marks (reported). A medical examination follows, and the order of the medical and interview stages is set in each year's notice. (reported — check with the official body)
5. Step 5 · Interview (Personality Test)UPSC holds an interview worth 150 marks (reported). It looks at your personality, leadership and clarity of thought. The final merit list combines written and interview marks. You are then allotted a force based on your rank, your preferences and the vacancies. (reported — check with the official body)
6. Step 6 · Training (about 1 year)New officers train at their force's academy, for example BSF's academy at Tekanpur or CRPF's at Kadarpur (reported). Training covers weapons, drill, fieldcraft, law and leadership. You are a salaried government officer during training (reported). (reported — check with the official body)
7. Step 7 · First posting and probationAfter training you join a battalion or unit as Assistant Commandant, a Group A gazetted officer. You serve a probation period before being confirmed. The length and rules differ by force, so check your force's service rules. (reported — check with the official body)

Fees from: UPSC Examination Notice No. 08/2026-CAPF · Government College Chamba Prospectus 2026-27 (fee structure, scholarships). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Basic pay is the same in all five forces, but take-home pay changes with posting: city headquarters, field battalions with free quarters and hardship areas all pay differently, and it rises with promotions.

Women can apply, and the 2026 notice says women are encouraged to apply. Women pay no exam fee, and their height, weight and running or jumping standards are set separately from men's. Relaxations in height and chest are given to some categories, such as Scheduled Tribes and hill-area candidates (reported). Everyone must meet the physical and medical standards in the notice, so check them if you have a health condition or disability.

• Class 7–9Pick one test event, like the 100 m or the 800 m. Time yourself once a week on a school ground and note how your times improve.
• Class 10–12Join the NCC if your school has it. Otherwise, if you are 15 or older, register on MY Bharat and join a local volunteering or fitness activity.Open link ↗
• College or afterDownload the latest UPSC CAPF (ACs) notice and read the eligibility and physical standards. Then measure your height and chest and test your 800 m time against the standards.Open link ↗

• Age is counted on 1 August of the exam year. For the 2026 exam you had to be born between 2 August 2001 and 1 August 2006. There is no fresh chance after the upper age limit, so plan your attempts early.
• UPSC's 2026 notice listed 349 vacancies in five forces: BSF 108, CRPF 106, CISF 70, SSB 53 and ITBP 12. UPSC calls these figures tentative, and they change every year. UPSC's 2027 exam is reported to be on 4 July 2027, so check upsc.gov.in for the notice.
• The notice has a rule limiting re-appearance for candidates who have already been finally selected as Assistant Commandants. Read it before you plan a second attempt.
• Want to wear a uniform but unsure about this exam? Look at the Army, Navy or Air Force routes, the CAPF Sub-Inspector exam, or state police services as well.