New Delhi | Enoxx News Desk
For young graduates aspiring to serve the nation in a prestigious uniform, a golden opportunity has just arrived. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed notification for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Assistant Commandants (AC) Examination 2026. The recruitment drive aims to fill 349 highly coveted Group A Gazetted Officer vacancies across India’s elite paramilitary forces.
According to the official advertisement, the online application process commenced on February 20, 2026. Interested and eligible candidates, both male and female, must submit their application forms through the official UPSC portal before the strict deadline of 6:00 PM on March 12, 2026.
Force-Wise Vacancy Breakdown The 349 tentative vacancies have been strategically distributed among five primary Central Armed Police Forces. The Border Security Force (BSF) holds the highest share with 108 posts, closely followed by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with 106 posts. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is looking to induct 70 officers, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has 53 openings, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has announced 12 vacancies. The commission notes that these numbers are tentative and ten percent of the total vacancies are strictly earmarked for Ex-servicemen.
Eligibility Criteria and Age Limit To apply for the Assistant Commandant examination, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students are also permitted to apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of graduation before the interview phase.
Age restrictions are strictly enforced. Applicants must be between 20 and 25 years of age as of August 1, 2026—meaning they must have been born between August 2, 2001, and August 1, 2006. Standard age relaxations apply for reserved categories, including up to three years for OBC candidates and five years for SC/ST applicants and civilian central government servants.
Selection Process and Exam Dates The selection for this premier defense role is famously rigorous and is divided into three distinct phases.
- Written Examination: Scheduled for July 19, 2026 (Sunday), the exam will consist of two papers. Paper-I (General Ability and Intelligence) will be held in the morning session, and Paper-II (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension) will be conducted in the afternoon.
- Physical Standards/Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) & Medical Review: Candidates who clear the written cutoff will face severe physical fitness evaluations, including running, long jump, and shot put events, followed by a strict medical examination.
- Interview/Personality Test: The final stage evaluates the candidate’s leadership potential, psychological resilience, and general awareness, carrying 150 marks.
The application fee is set at ₹200 for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates. In a move to encourage diversity, all female candidates, along with applicants from the SC and ST categories, are completely exempted from paying the examination fee. Aspirants are advised to complete their One Time Registration (OTR) and submit their forms well ahead of the March 12 deadline to avoid last-minute server congestion.
