The CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) exam is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) for recruitment into various paramilitary forces such as CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, CISF, and Assam Rifles. The exam has two main stages – the Written Exam and the Interview. Below is the detailed UPSC CAPF Syllabus for the written exam 2026, which consists of two papers: Paper I (General Studies, Intelligence & Reasoning) and Paper II (Descriptive Paper).
Exam Overview
| Name of the Exam | Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Commandant |
| Frequency of Exam | Once a Year |
| Selection Process | Written Examination Physical Eligibility Test (PET) and Medical Test Personal Interview |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Papers | Paper I (Objective): General Ability and Intelligence Paper II (Subjective): General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension |
| Language of Question Papers | English & Hindi (Except English Section) |
| Marks Segregation | Paper I: 250 Marks Paper II: 200 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions | Paper I: 125 (MCQs) Paper II: 6 (Descriptive) |
| Negative Marking | Paper I: One-third Paper II: No negative marking (Examiner Assesses the Answers) |
| Exam Duration | Paper I: 2 Hours Paper II: 3 Hours |
CAPF Exam Pattern
The UPSC CAPF written exam is the first step in selecting candidates for the Physical and Medical Standards Test, following the pattern outlined in the official UPSC notification.
- Papers I and II will be conducted in bilingual and English, except for the English paper.
- Paper I will last 2 hours and consist of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs). A penalty of 1/3 of a mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Paper II will have a duration of 3 hours and will be in a descriptive format.
- Only candidates who pass Paper I will have Paper II graded.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Negative Marking | Duration |
| General Ability and Intelligence | 125 | 250 | One-Third | 2 Hours |
| General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension | 6 (Descriptive) | 200 | No Negative Marking | 3 Hours |
UPSC CAPF Exam – Complete Guide of CAPF Exam
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UPSC CAPF Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1
General Ability and Intelligence (250 marks): Objective-type questions that test candidates’ skills in areas like General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events of National and International Importance, Indian Polity and Economy, History of India, and Indian and World Geography.
| Topic | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| General Mental Ability | Logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, data interpretation |
| General Science | Basic concepts, latest scientific developments |
| Current Events | National and international issues, sports, awards, and honors |
| Indian Polity and Economy | Logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and data interpretation |
| History and Geography | India’s history and geography, general world geography |
UPSC CAPF Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2
General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension (200 marks): 6 Subjective-type questions are based on:
- Part A (Essay Writing): Modern Indian history, especially of the freedom struggle, geography, polity, and economy, knowledge of security and human rights issues, and analytical ability.
- Part B: Includes topics like Comprehension, précis writing, and other communications/language skills – to be attempted in English only.
| Topic | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing | Topics on modern Indian History, politics, economy, social issues, etc |
| Comprehension | Grammar, vocabulary, and precise writing |
| General Studies | Indian polity, human rights issues, security challenges |
FAQs about the CAPF Exam
Ans. The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) Exam is conducted by UPSC.
Ans. There are two papers in CAPF – the First Paper is objective and the second paper is subjective.
Ans. The CAPF exam is conducted in offline mode which means it is a pen-and-paper-based test at designated exam centres across the country.