UPSC CAPF AC Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification & Physical Standards

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Central Armed Police Force Assistant Commandant (UPSC CAPF AC) examination annually. This highly competitive recruitment process selects candidates for Group A Gazetted Officer roles across India’s premier paramilitary forces, including the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.

Candidates holding a Bachelor's degree and falling within the age bracket of 20 to 25 years are eligible for the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 exam. This article provides an in-depth breakdown of the official eligibility norms, including nationality, age relaxation, educational qualifications, and mandatory physical and medical standards.

UPSC CAPF AC Eligibility Criteria 2026

The UPSC CAPF AC exam is open to both male and female aspirants. It is critical to ensure that all information submitted in the UPSC CAPF 2026 application form is accurate and supported by valid documentation, as discrepancies can lead to disqualification at any stage of the recruitment process. The following parameters are essential for evaluating your eligibility.

• Age Limit
• Educational Qualification
• Nationality
• Physical Standards
• Medical Standards

UPSC CAPF Notification 2026 Announced: View Details for 349 Vacancies Here

UPSC CAPF AC Age Limit 2026

The age eligibility for UPSC CAPF AC posts requires candidates to be between 20 and 25 years of age. Only applicants strictly meeting these age limits as of the designated cut-off date are eligible to proceed with the application.

UPSC CAPF AC Age Relaxations

In addition to the standard age limit, reserved categories such as SC, ST, and OBC candidates are entitled to age relaxation. Specifically, candidates from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities receive a 5-year relaxation on the upper age limit.

Required Educational Qualification for UPSC CAPF AC

Educational qualification is a primary requirement for the Assistant Commandant post. According to the UPSC CAPF Eligibility Criteria 2026, candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from a government-recognized university. Graduates with technical or professional degrees are also eligible.

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from any government-recognised university or any institution established by the Act of Legislature.
• Those who are waiting for their graduation examination results are eligible, but their admission to the UPSC CAPF examination is provisional until a valid proof of passing graduation is provided by the candidates.
• Degrees from universities founded by Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or under a Parliamentary Act are also recognised.
• Those who have obtained technical or professional degrees from recognised institutions are also eligible.

Note: UPSC may provisionally accept candidates who possess equivalent educational qualifications recognized by the Commission, even if they do not hold a traditional degree, provided their academic background meets official standards.

UPSC CAPF Nationality

Nationality requirements are strictly enforced for the Assistant Commandant examination. Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply. Please review the detailed guidelines below to confirm your status and eligibility regarding nationality.

• Candidates who are citizens of India or hold Indian citizenship of India are eligible for AC posts.
• Those who belong to Bhutan & Nepal can also apply for the UPSC CAPF examination.

Note: Applicants of other nationalities may be permitted to appear for the CAPF examination only if they have obtained specific clearance or consent from the Central Government of India.

Physical Standards Required for UPSC CAPF AC 2026 Exam

Meeting the stipulated physical standards is mandatory for all UPSC CAPF applicants. These standards are evaluated based on three core metrics: height, weight, and chest circumference.

Male candidates must meet a minimum height of 167 cm and weight of 50 kg; female candidates must be at least 157 cm tall with a weight of 46 kg. Please note that chest measurement requirements do not apply to female candidates.

UPSC CAPF Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)

Candidates who successfully clear the written examination and meet the Physical Standard Test (PST) requirements will advance to the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). The PET is purely qualifying in nature; performance scores are tracked, but no additional marks are awarded for this stage.

UPSC CAPF AC Medical Standards

Medical fitness is a vital component of the selection process. Candidates must have a distant vision of 6/6 or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/12 or 6/9 in the worse eye. Further medical guidelines for the Assistant Commandant (AC) role are detailed below.