CAPF Syllabus 2026: Paper 1 & 2, Exam Pattern, PET + PDF
Complete CAPF syllabus 2026 for UPSC CAPF AC — Paper 1 & 2 topics, exam pattern, negative marking, subject weightage, PET/PST physical standards, medical norms, best books & free PDF download.
Last updated: June 2026 · Based on the official UPSC CAPF (AC) Examination notification.
The CAPF syllabus for the UPSC Assistant Commandant (AC) exam is built around two written papers — Paper 1 (General Ability & Intelligence, 250 marks, 125 objective MCQs in 2 hours with 0.33 negative marking) and Paper 2 (General Studies, Essay & Comprehension, 200 marks, descriptive in 3 hours, no negative marking) — followed by a Physical Standards & Efficiency Test (PST/PET), a Medical examination and a 150-mark Interview/Personality Test. The written total is 450 marks; the grand total with the Interview is 600 marks. In short: master Paper 1’s GS-plus-reasoning breadth, do not under-prepare the descriptive Paper 2, and clear the physical and medical benchmarks — the rest of this guide breaks each down topic by topic.
This guide gives you the most exhaustive, copy-friendly topic-wise breakdown of the UPSC CAPF AC syllabus 2026, the full exam pattern, previous-year subject weightage, PET/PST and medical standards, eligibility at a glance, a phase-wise study plan, the best books mapped to each section, and where to get a free no-signup PDF — everything an aspirant needs to plan preparation for the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB Assistant Commandant posts.
CAPF AC Exam 2026 at a Glance
The Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit Group A Gazetted officers across five forces — Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Selection runs through three broad stages, and you must clear each to advance.
| Stage | Component | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Written — Paper 1 | 250 | Objective (MCQ) |
| Stage 1 | Written — Paper 2 | 200 | Descriptive |
| Stage 2 | Physical Standards Test (PST) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Qualifying | Pass/Fail |
| Stage 2 | Medical Standards Test | Qualifying | Pass/Fail |
| Stage 3 | Interview / Personality Test | 150 | Personality assessment |
| Grand Total | 600 | Final merit | |
An important rule on sequencing: the PST/PET physical stage is actually conducted before the written papers are evaluated for the final merit — candidates are first screened for physical standards, and only those who qualify and then clear the Paper 1 cut-off have their Paper 2 evaluated. Paper 2 is assessed only for candidates who score the cut-off marks in Paper 1, as fixed by the Commission. PST/PET and medical stages are qualifying in nature, but the marks of Paper 1, Paper 2 and the Interview together decide the final merit list.
CAPF AC Eligibility 2026 (Age, Education & Attempts) at a Glance
Before the syllabus, confirm you are eligible — many aspirants prepare for months and then find an age or physical bar they cannot meet. The table below summarises the key 2026 conditions; always cross-check the live UPSC notification for cut-off dates and category relaxations.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen (subject to UPSC’s standard nationality clauses) |
| Age | 20 to 25 years as on the prescribed cut-off date; relaxations for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years) and other notified categories |
| Educational qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university (any stream) |
| Number of attempts | No fixed attempt limit; only the upper age limit applies |
| Gender | Open to male and female candidates, with separate physical standards |
Eligibility is not part of the written syllabus, but it gates everything that follows — a quick check here saves a wasted preparation cycle.
CAPF Exam Pattern 2026 (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
Understanding the CAPF exam pattern for Paper 1 and Paper 2 is the first step in building a syllabus-aligned strategy. The written examination is held on a single day — Paper 1 in the morning, Paper 2 in the afternoon.
| Feature | Paper 1 (General Ability & Intelligence) | Paper 2 (GS, Essay & Comprehension) |
|---|---|---|
| Total marks | 250 | 200 |
| Number of questions | 125 objective MCQs | Descriptive (Essay + Comprehension) |
| Duration | 2 hours (10 AM–12 PM) | 3 hours (2 PM–5 PM) |
| Marks per question | 2 marks | Section-wise (see below) |
| Negative marking | 0.33 (one-third) per wrong answer | No negative marking |
| Medium | English & Hindi | Essay in English or Hindi; Comprehension/précis in English only |
Is there negative marking in CAPF AC? Yes — in Paper 1, one-third of the marks assigned to a question (0.33 of 2 marks) is deducted for every wrong answer. Paper 2 is descriptive and carries no negative marking, but it is the harder paper to score in because of its language and writing demands. A practical consequence: in Paper 1, blind guessing is costly, but an educated guess where you can eliminate two options is usually worth the risk.
CAPF Paper 1 Syllabus 2026: General Ability & Intelligence
Paper 1 of the CAPF assistant commandant syllabus tests two broad areas — General Mental Ability, and General Awareness across science, polity, economy, history, geography and current events. Below is the most detailed sub-topic breakdown available, mapped section by section.
| Section | Key Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| General Mental Ability | Logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude (including numerical ability), data interpretation, analogies, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense |
| General Science | Everyday science, scientific temper, comprehension of scientific phenomena; developments in IT, biotechnology, environmental science, space and defence technology |
| Current Events of National & International Importance | Sports, awards, summits, schemes, science & tech news, books, persons in news, India’s bilateral relations, global organisations |
| Indian Polity & Economy | Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, community development, Five-Year Plans, India’s economic & social development, planning |
| History of India | Broad understanding of social, economic and political aspects from ancient to modern India, with emphasis on the freedom movement |
| Indian & World Geography | Physical, social and economic geography of India and the world |
What is the difference between CAPF Paper 1 and Paper 2 syllabus?
Paper 1 is objective and tests breadth of factual general awareness plus reasoning. Paper 2 is descriptive and tests writing skill, comprehension and the ability to construct arguments in an essay. In short, Paper 1 measures what you know; Paper 2 measures how well you express and analyse it. The same underlying GS knowledge feeds both papers — so quality notes do double duty — but the output skill is completely different, which is why Paper 2 needs separate writing practice.
CAPF Paper 2 Syllabus 2026: Essay & Comprehension
The CAPF Paper 2 essay and comprehension syllabus carries 200 marks split into two distinct parts. This paper is designed to test communication, reasoning and language proficiency rather than fresh factual recall.
| Part | Component | Marks | What is tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Essay | 80 | Essay on topics like modern Indian history, geography, polity, economy, security, human rights, and analytical & descriptive themes — written in English or Hindi |
| Part B | Comprehension, précis writing, developing counter-arguments, expansion of ideas, communication / language skills | 120 | Grammar, vocabulary, precise expression — answered in English only |
Can Paper 2 of CAPF be written in Hindi?
Partially. The Essay component (80 marks) can be written in either Hindi or English — the candidate’s choice. However, the Comprehension, précis, counter-argument and communication-skills section (120 marks) must be attempted in English only. Hindi-medium aspirants should therefore build strong English comprehension and précis skills even while writing the essay in Hindi, because the larger 120-mark block is English-only. This is a critical nuance many coaching pages gloss over — and it means English language practice is non-negotiable regardless of your essay medium.
CAPF Paper 1 Subject-Wise Weightage (Previous-Year Trend)
While UPSC does not publish official weightage, an analysis of previous-year papers shows a fairly stable distribution. Treat the figures below as indicative ranges, not guarantees — but use them to prioritise high-return sections of the syllabus.
| Subject | Approx. Questions | Approx. Weightage | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs & General Awareness | 20–28 | ~18–22% | High |
| General Mental Ability / Reasoning | 18–25 | ~16–20% | High |
| Indian Polity & Economy | 18–22 | ~15–18% | High |
| Geography (India & World) | 15–20 | ~13–16% | Medium |
| General Science | 15–20 | ~12–16% | Medium |
| History of India | 15–18 | ~12–15% | Medium |
The takeaway: Current Affairs, Reasoning and Polity & Economy together account for roughly half of Paper 1. A daily current-affairs habit and consistent reasoning practice deliver the highest marks-per-hour return. A regularly updated source like the Vision IAS Current Affairs Magazine keeps this high-weightage section under control month by month.
CAPF Physical Standards: PET & PST
After the written exam, candidates must pass the CAPF physical standards (PET/PST). These are qualifying and have separate benchmarks for male and female candidates. The PST checks body measurements (height, chest); the PET measures performance in timed and distance events.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Standards
| Event | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100 metres race | 16 seconds | 18 seconds |
| 800 metres race | 3 minutes 45 seconds | 4 minutes 45 seconds |
| Long jump | 3.5 metres (3 chances) | 3.0 metres (3 chances) |
| Shot put (7.26 kg) | 4.5 metres | Not applicable |
Physical Standards Test (PST)
| Standard | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Height (general) | 165 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest (unexpanded / expanded) | 81 cm / 86 cm (min 5 cm expansion) | Not applicable |
| Weight | Proportionate to height and age | Proportionate to height and age |
Relaxed height/chest norms apply to candidates from Scheduled Tribes, hill areas (Gorkhas, Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras) and certain North-Eastern and Left-Wing-Extremism-affected regions, as specified in the official notification. Because the physical test is screened early in the cycle, begin running and field practice well before results — fitness cannot be built in the few weeks between the written exam and the PET.
CAPF Medical Standards & Disqualification Criteria
The medical examination ensures candidates meet the physical fitness required of an armed-forces officer. Eye-sight standards are measured as corrected vision (with glasses, where permitted).
| Parameter | Requirement (Better Eye) | Requirement (Worse Eye) |
|---|---|---|
| Distant vision (corrected) | 6/6 or 6/9 | 6/12 or 6/9 |
| Near vision (corrected) | N6 | N9 |
| Colour vision | CP-III (good) | — |
Common medical disqualifications include knock-knee, flat foot, bow legs, varicose veins, squint, defective colour vision, undue curvature of the spine, and a history of fits. Visible tattoos are generally permitted only on the inner forearm or the back of the hand; tattoos depicting religious symbols, names, or those on other body parts may lead to rejection, subject to the prevailing notification. Always read the latest UPSC notification for the exact medical criteria, as some standards differ slightly by force.
CAPF vs UPSC CSE Prelims: Is the Syllabus the Same?
Is the CAPF syllabus the same as UPSC Prelims (CSE)?
No, but the overlap is substantial. CAPF Paper 1 closely mirrors UPSC CSE Prelims General Studies Paper 1 — both cover polity, economy, history, geography, science and current affairs. The key differences are below.
| Aspect | CAPF AC Paper 1 | UPSC CSE Prelims GS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 125 | 100 |
| Total marks | 250 | 200 |
| Negative marking | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| Reasoning/Mental ability | Significant weightage within Paper 1 | Tested separately in CSAT (Paper 2) |
| Descriptive paper | Yes — Paper 2 (Essay & Comprehension) | No descriptive at Prelims stage |
| Difficulty | Moderate; more factual | Higher; more analytical & conceptual |
Because of this overlap, UPSC CSE aspirants can use the same core GS material for CAPF Paper 1. A standard set such as the Vision IAS GS Booklets covers polity, economy, history, geography and science in one place, making it efficient for dual preparation. The main add-ons for CAPF are dedicated reasoning practice and Paper 2 essay/précis writing — neither of which the CSE Prelims demands in the same form.
Best Books for CAPF AC Syllabus (Section-Wise)
Which books are best for CAPF AC syllabus preparation?
The right strategy is to map one solid resource to each syllabus section rather than collecting overlapping books. Here is a section-wise booklist for the CAPF assistant commandant syllabus.
| Syllabus Section | Recommended Resource |
|---|---|
| Polity & Constitution | NCERTs + dedicated polity notes (e.g. Vajiram Polity Notes) |
| Economy | Standard economy notes covering planning, social development & current schemes |
| History & Geography | Comprehensive GS booklet set covering ancient–modern India & physical/world geography |
| General Science | NCERT Science (Class 6–10) + current science & tech updates |
| Current Affairs | Monthly current-affairs magazine + daily newspaper |
| Paper 2 Essay | Essay notes with model themes & structure (e.g. Vajiram Essay Notes) |
| Previous-Year Practice | Topic-wise PYQ compilation (e.g. Forum IAS Prelims PYQ Toolkit) |
Hindi-medium aspirants — a large share of the CAPF applicant pool — can build the same coverage with a complete Hindi GS set such as the Drishti IAS Hindi Study Material, then practise the English-only précis and comprehension section separately.
CAPF Syllabus PDF Download (Free, No Signup)
You can download a clean, printable CAPF syllabus PDF covering Paper 1, Paper 2, the exam pattern, PET/PST and medical standards directly from the official UPSC notification at upsc.gov.in. UPSC publishes the complete syllabus in the CAPF (AC) Examination notification each year, free and without any signup or test-series funnel. To get it: open upsc.gov.in, go to the Examinations → Active/Notifications section, open the latest “C.A.P.F. (AC) Examination” notification, and the detailed syllabus appears in the appendix of that PDF. Save the official PDF, then use this page’s tables as your day-to-day revision checklist.
If you prefer well-organised printed study material delivered to your home instead of reading PDFs on screen, Competer prints and ships subject-wise GS booklets, current-affairs magazines and PYQ packs that map directly to the CAPF Paper 1 syllabus.
CAPF Preparation Strategy & Study Plan
A syllabus is only useful with a plan tied to it. Here is a priority-ordered timeline for the 4–6 months before the exam.
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Months 1–2 | NCERTs + standard notes for Polity, History, Geography, Economy; begin daily current affairs |
| Core build-up | Months 3–4 | General Science, reasoning & quantitative practice; start Paper 2 essay & précis writing weekly |
| Practice & revision | Month 5 | Previous-year papers, full-length mocks, weightage-based revision of high-yield sections |
| Final sprint | Month 6 | Current affairs of the last 12 months, PET training in parallel, timed mock essays |
Paper 2 Scoring Strategy
Paper 2 separates selected candidates from the rest because most aspirants under-prepare for it. Score better by: writing one essay and one précis every week from PYQ themes; keeping the précis within the prescribed word limit (usually about one-third of the passage); using clear paragraph structure with a defined introduction-body-conclusion in essays; and practising counter-argument questions where you must defend both sides logically. Strong, legible handwriting and error-free grammar add easy marks in the 120-mark English section — examiners reward clarity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating Paper 2 as an afterthought — it is evaluated only if Paper 1 is cleared, but it heavily decides final merit.
- Ignoring reasoning and quantitative aptitude, which carry surprisingly high weightage in Paper 1.
- Neglecting PET preparation until results are out — start running and field practice early, since the physical test is screened ahead of written evaluation.
- Skipping the medical criteria check (eye-sight, knock-knee, flat foot) before applying.
- Relying only on PDFs without solving previous-year papers under timed conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the syllabus of CAPF AC exam?
The CAPF Assistant Commandant syllabus has two written papers. Paper 1 (General Ability & Intelligence) covers general mental ability, general science, current events, Indian polity & economy, Indian history and Indian & world geography. Paper 2 (General Studies, Essay & Comprehension) tests essay writing, comprehension, précis and communication skills. PET/PST physical standards, a medical test and an interview follow.
How many papers are there in CAPF and what is the exam pattern?
There are two written papers. Paper 1 has 125 objective MCQs for 250 marks in 2 hours with 0.33 negative marking. Paper 2 is descriptive for 200 marks in 3 hours with no negative marking. The written total is 450 marks, plus a 150-mark Interview, taking the grand total to 600 marks.
Is there negative marking in CAPF Assistant Commandant exam?
Yes, in Paper 1 only. One-third (0.33) of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Paper 2 is descriptive and carries no negative marking.
What is the difference between CAPF Paper 1 and Paper 2 syllabus?
Paper 1 is an objective MCQ paper testing general awareness (polity, economy, history, geography, science, current affairs) plus reasoning and mental ability. Paper 2 is descriptive, testing essay writing, comprehension, précis and communication skills. Paper 1 measures factual knowledge; Paper 2 measures written expression and analysis.
What are the physical standards (height, chest, PET) for CAPF AC?
For general male candidates the minimum height is 165 cm and chest is 81–86 cm with at least 5 cm expansion; for females the minimum height is 157 cm. PET includes a 100m race (16s male/18s female), 800m race, long jump and shot put (male only), with relaxations for tribal and hill-area candidates.
Can Paper 2 of CAPF be written in Hindi?
Only partly. The Essay section (80 marks) may be written in Hindi or English. The Comprehension, précis, counter-argument and communication-skills section (120 marks) must be answered in English only, so Hindi-medium aspirants should build strong English comprehension skills.
Is the CAPF syllabus the same as UPSC Prelims (CSE)?
Not identical, but Paper 1 overlaps heavily with UPSC CSE Prelims GS-I — both cover polity, economy, history, geography, science and current affairs. CAPF has more reasoning in Paper 1 and an additional descriptive Paper 2, while UPSC CSE Prelims is more analytical and has a separate CSAT paper.
Which books are best for CAPF AC syllabus preparation?
Map one resource per section: NCERTs plus dedicated polity, economy, history and geography notes for Paper 1; NCERT science with current science updates; a monthly current-affairs magazine and daily newspaper; dedicated essay notes and weekly précis practice for Paper 2; and a topic-wise previous-year-question compilation for revision under timed conditions.
What is the age limit and eligibility for CAPF AC 2026?
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university and generally be 20 to 25 years old as on the prescribed cut-off date, with category relaxations (3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST). There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts; only the upper age limit applies. Confirm exact dates in the live UPSC notification.
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