UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2024

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications from eligible candidates for the prestigious Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2024. This nationally prestigious examination is conducted by UPSC annually for recruitment of dynamic and motivated young officers to the post of Assistant Commandants (Group 'A') in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India - Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Application Start Date: 24th April 2024  

Application Closing Date: 14th May 2024 (18:00 hrs)

Number of Vacancies (Tentative):

Total - 506

BSF - 186

CRPF - 120

CISF - 100  

ITBP - 58

SSB - 42

The above number of vacancies is tentative and liable to change as per organizational requirements. Reservation of vacancies for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Ex-Servicemen categories will be provided as per government norms.

Educational Qualification:

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from any recognized university incorporated by an Act of Central or State Legislature in India or any other educational institution established by an Act of Parliament or declared as deemed university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.

Application Fee:

Candidates belonging to General/OBC/EWS categories are required to pay a fee of Rs. 200/- through online mode or by depositing cash at SBI branches. Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC/ST categories are exempted from payment of fee.

Age Limit (As on 01.08.2024):

To be eligible, candidates must have attained the age of 20 years and not attained the age of 25 years as on 1st August 2024 i.e. candidates must have been born not earlier than 2nd August 1999 and not later than 1st August 2004.  

Age Relaxation:

The upper age limit is relaxable up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates, up to 3 years for OBC candidates, and up to 5 years for Ex-Servicemen/Central Government Civilian Employees as per existing government rules. Candidates belonging to multiple reserved categories would be eligible for cumulative age relaxation.

How to Apply:

Candidates are required to apply online only through the UPSC website https://www.upsconline.nic.in. Applications through any other mode will not be accepted. Detailed instructions for filling up the online application form are available on the website. Candidates have to register on the One-Time Registration (OTR) platform first before filling the application form. The facility to modify certain fields of the application form will also be available for 7 days after the closing date.  

Selection Process:

1) Written Examination on 4th August 2024

The written examination will comprise two papers of objective and conventional types:

Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence (10 AM to 12 Noon)

Objective type with multiple choice questions - 250 marks

Covers General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Polity/Economy, History, Geography  

Paper II: General Studies, Essay and Comprehension (2 PM to 5 PM) 

Part A - Essay (to be written in English or Hindi) - 80 marks

Part B - Comprehension, Precis Writing, Communication Skills (in English only) - 120 marks

There will be minimum qualifying marks in each paper as decided by UPSC. Paper I will be evaluated first and Paper II only for those qualifying Paper I.

2) Physical Standards/Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)

To be conducted by Nodal Authority appointed by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Candidates have to meet:

Physical Standards: Minimum height, chest, weight as per norms

PET: Race, long jump, shot put (for men) as per prescribed standards

3) Medical Standards Tests 

Covering eye sight, medical fitness, overall medical examination as per norms laid down.

4) Interview/Personality Test - 150 Marks  

To be conducted by UPSC for candidates qualifying the earlier stages.

Final selection and allocation of forces will be based on the performance in the Written Exam and Interview/Personality Test, medical fitness, and preference of forces by the candidates.

Admission to all stages of the exam will be provisional, subject to verification of eligibility conditions. Candidates are advised to go through the detailed notification carefully on the UPSC website regarding eligibility criteria, physical and medical standards, syllabus, exam centers, application process and other important instructions before applying.

UPSC has a facility to accept online representation regarding questions asked in the exam papers for one week after the exam dates.

Selection in CAPF through this highly competitive examination offers an exciting career for young people to serve the nation as Commanding Officers, leading troops, and shouldering responsibilities of India's internal security apparatus. Successful candidates can look forward to donning the prestigious uniforms and being part of the elite forces that guard India's frontiers and industrial infrastructure with integrity and valour.

For any queries/guidance, candidates can contact the UPSC Facilitation Counter.

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Women candidates and candidates from all sections of society are encouraged to apply for this prestigious examination which provides an opportunity to join the noble profession of serving the nation through the Central Armed Police Forces.