UPSC CAPF — Application Guide

Complete Guide to Application Procedure
& Online Submission Process

Everything you need to know about registering, filling the form, paying the fee, uploading documents, and submitting your application for the UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Examination — all in one place.

🖥️ Online Application Only
🔐 OTR Registration
💰 Fee & Exemptions
📸 Photo Guidelines
📞 Helpline Support
🌐

Apply online only at upsconline.gov.in — no offline, email, or postal applications accepted.

🔐

Complete OTR first — One Time Registration must be done before submitting the application form.

Don't wait till the deadline — technical issues near closing time will not be grounds for extension.

🚫

No withdrawal permitted — once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn under any circumstances.

🌐 Mode of Application: Online Only

The Union Public Service Commission accepts applications exclusively through the official UPSC online portal. No alternative modes of submission are recognised.

1

Mandatory Online Submission

All candidates must apply online through the official UPSC portal: https://upsconline.gov.in

Applications submitted through any other mode — including email, postal services, fax, or hand delivery — will be summarily rejected without any consideration. Candidates are solely responsible for completing the online process correctly and within the prescribed deadline.

⚠️ Critical: Acceptance of an application does not guarantee final eligibility. UPSC reserves the right to cancel any candidature at any stage if eligibility conditions are not met.
2

Mandatory Information to Be Provided

While filling the online application form, candidates must provide accurate and verifiable information in all fields. The required data includes:

  • Date of Birth (as per Matriculation or equivalent certificate)
  • Caste / Community / Category (SC / ST / OBC / EWS / Ex-Servicemen)
  • Educational qualifications and details
  • Preferences for specific CAPF services (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB)
  • Any other supporting documents required as per eligibility conditions
❌ Warning: Failure to submit the requisite information and supporting documentation at the time of application will result in cancellation of candidature, regardless of merit in the examination.
📌 OTR Consistency: Information entered in the One Time Registration (OTR) profile must match the entries made in the application form. Discrepancies may lead to disqualification or delay in the selection process.
📋 Overview: The 4-Part Application Process

The online application system for UPSC CAPF (AC) is divided into four structured stages to ensure completeness, transparency, and proper documentation.

Part I
🔐

One-Time Registration (OTR)

Create your OTR profile with basic personal details. This is a one-time process valid for all future UPSC examinations. If already registered, skip directly to Part II.

Mandatory First Step
Part II
📝

Detailed Application Form

Fill personal details, academic qualifications, category, CAPF service preferences (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB), and other required information.

Personal & Academic Info
Part III
📤

Document Upload

Upload scanned passport-size photograph and signature (JPG, 20KB–300KB each), along with your selected Photo ID proof details.

JPG · 20KB–300KB
Part IV
💳

Fee Payment & Centre Selection

Select preferred examination centre and pay the application fee (₹200 for General/OBC/EWS males). Female, SC, and ST candidates are fully exempted.

₹200 / Exempted

Official UPSC Application Portal

The entire process must be completed exclusively at the official UPSC website. Beware of fraudulent third-party sites.

🌐 upsconline.gov.in
🔐 One Time Registration (OTR) Profile

Before applying for any UPSC examination, candidates must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSC portal. This is a lifetime registration — once done, it is used for all future UPSC applications.

ℹ️ Already Registered? Candidates who have registered on the OTR platform for any previous UPSC examination need not register again. They can directly proceed to fill the CAPF application form.
OTR Profile: Editable vs. Non-Editable Fields
✏️ Editable Fields
  • Whether the candidate has ever changed their name
  • Gender
  • Minority Status
  • Class 10th Board Examination Roll Number
🔒 Non-Editable Fields (Fixed Forever)
  • Full name (as per Class 10th certificate)
  • Date of Birth
  • Father's Name
  • Mother's Name
  • Registered Mobile Number *
  • Registered Email ID @
⚠️ One-Time Modification: UPSC allows modification to the OTR profile only once in a lifetime, within 7 days from the closing date of the application window for your first ever UPSC application.
Lost Access to Registered Contact Details?
📱

Mobile Number Inaccessible

If you have access to the registered email but not the mobile number, you may request a mobile number change. An OTP will be sent to the email ID for verification.

📧

Email ID Inaccessible

If you have access to the registered mobile but not the email ID, request an email change. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number for verification.

⚠️

Both Mobile & Email Inaccessible

Send a formal request to otr-upsc@gov.in with: Matriculation Certificate, Government-issued Photo ID, recent passport photograph, and signed undertaking (Appendix-VII).

📌 Name Change Discrepancy: Candidates whose names differ from their matriculation certificate (e.g., after marriage) must provide a Gazette Notification as proof. If unavailable at the time of application, it may be uploaded during the post-written result window.
✅ Integrated Master's Degree Holders: Candidates with an integrated graduation and post-graduation degree should enter the same course name in both the Graduation and Higher Qualification fields of the application form.
🛠️ Correction Window for Application Form

UPSC provides a 7-day window after the application deadline for candidates to correct any errors in their submitted application form (except non-editable OTR fields).

Window Opens
26 March
Day after application closes
Window Closes
1 April
Last day to correct entries
📌 Important: Changes to the OTR profile cannot be made through this correction window. For OTR updates, candidates must log in separately to the OTR portal. During the correction window, all application fields (except locked OTR fields) can be amended.
❌ No Withdrawal Allowed: Once an online application has been submitted, candidates are not permitted to withdraw it under any circumstances. The Commission will not entertain any request for withdrawal, refund, or cancellation. Apply only after carefully considering eligibility and intent.
🪪 Mandatory Government-Issued Photo ID

Candidates must provide a valid government-issued Photo Identity Card while filling the application. This ID will serve as the primary reference throughout the entire examination process.

Accepted Photo ID Documents:
🪪 Aadhaar Card
🗳️ Voter Identity Card (EPIC)
💳 PAN Card
📘 Passport
🚗 Driving License
🏛️ Any Central/State Govt. Issued ID
⚠️ Carry Original at All Stages: Candidates must carry the original of the selected ID card when appearing for the written examination and interview/personality test. Failure to produce the specified ID may lead to disqualification or denial of entry at the examination venue.
📸 Photo Upload Guidelines

Candidates must adhere strictly to the following instructions when uploading their passport-size photograph in the online application form.

🗓️

Recent Photograph Required

The photograph must be recent and not older than 10 days from the date on which the application process starts.

🔤

Name & Date on Photograph

The uploaded photograph must clearly display the candidate's name and the date of clicking the photograph. Absence of these details renders the application non-compliant.

🖼️

Face Must Fill ¾ of Frame

The photograph must be a close-up such that the candidate's face occupies at least three-fourths of the space within the frame. Distant or unclear images will not be accepted.

🧔

Consistent Appearance Required

Your physical appearance at all stages of the exam (written & interview) must match the uploaded photo — including spectacles, beard, or moustache. Mismatches may lead to disqualification.

📁 File Specifications: Photograph — JPG format, size between 20 KB and 300 KB. Signature — JPG format, size between 20 KB and 300 KB. Ensure both files are clearly visible and without distortion or blurriness.
💰 Examination Fee Structure

A non-refundable application fee is prescribed for the UPSC CAPF examination. Certain categories are fully exempted from payment.

👨
General / OBC / EWS (Male)
₹200/-
Non-refundable · One-time payment
👩
All Female Candidates
FREE
Fully exempted from fee payment
📋
Scheduled Caste (SC)
FREE
Fully exempted from fee payment
📋
Scheduled Tribe (ST)
FREE
Fully exempted from fee payment
Accepted Payment Modes:
💳 Online Payment
  • Credit Card (Visa / MasterCard / RuPay)
  • Debit Card (Visa / MasterCard / RuPay)
  • UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
  • Internet Banking of any recognised bank
🏦 Offline (Pay-by-Cash at SBI)
  • Generate a system-generated pay-in-slip during Part-II of registration
  • Deposit cash at any State Bank of India (SBI) branch
  • Must be deposited the next working day after slip generation
  • Pay-by-cash option deactivates at 11:59 PM on 24 March
⚠️ Payment Deadline (Offline): The Pay-by-Cash option deactivates at 11:59 PM on 24 March. Candidates who generate the pay-in-slip before this time may still pay at SBI counters on 25 March during banking hours. After that, only online payment modes are accepted before 6:00 PM on 25 March.
N1

Fee is Non-Refundable

The fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances and cannot be held in reserve for future exams or selection processes.

N2

Fictitious Payment Cases

Where payment confirmation from the bank is not received, the application will be treated as a fictitious payment case and rejected in the first instance. A list of such cases will be published on the UPSC website within two weeks of the application closing date. Affected candidates will have 10 days to submit proof of payment.

N3

Invalid Payment Channels

Fee payment is valid only if made through the prescribed modes. Payments made via any other channels will be considered invalid and the application will be summarily rejected.

🏛️ Special Instructions for Employed Candidates

All candidates — whether employed in government services, PSUs, or the private sector — must submit their application directly to UPSC.

🏛️

Government / PSU Employees

Must inform their Head of Office / Department in writing about their application for the examination. This applies to all permanent and temporary government employees including work-charged staff (excluding casual/daily-wage workers).

💼

Private Sector Employees

May apply directly without any prior intimation requirement. However, they must still ensure all eligibility conditions are met before submitting the application.

Employer Withholds Permission

If UPSC receives a formal communication from the employer withholding permission to apply, the candidate's application will be rejected and candidature cancelled.

🚨 Critical Notes for All Applicants

All candidates must carefully read and comply with the following critical instructions before and after submitting the application.

1

Choose Examination Centre Carefully

Candidates must carefully select the centre of examination. Appearing at a centre other than the one allotted on the e-Admit Card will lead to cancellation of candidature and non-evaluation of papers.

2

Incomplete Applications Will Be Rejected

Incomplete or defective applications will be summarily rejected without any correspondence or appeal. The Commission will not entertain any communication regarding such rejections.

3

No Hard Copy Required

Candidates do not need to send a hard copy of their application to the UPSC. The entire process is online and paperless. Sending physical copies will not be acknowledged.

4

Single Application Rule

Applicants must not submit multiple applications. If more than one application is submitted, the application with the highest Registration ID (RID) will be considered, provided it is complete in all respects including payment and document upload.

5

Provisional Admission at All Stages

All stages of selection — including Written Examination, Physical Standards Test, Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Interview / Personality Test, and Medical Standards Test — are provisional. If the Commission finds at any stage that a candidate does not meet eligibility requirements, their candidature will be cancelled immediately regardless of performance.

6

Apply Well Before the Deadline

Candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the last date to apply. Technical delays or last-minute internet issues may result in failed submissions. No extension of the last date shall be provided under any circumstances.

🕐 Mandatory 15-Day Post-Written Exam Update Window

Candidates who qualify the written part of the CAPF (AC) Examination will be required to update and verify certain information within a specified time frame.

📆

15-Day Data Update Window

Commences from the date of declaration of written examination result · Available only to candidates who qualify for PST/PET
Mandatory Updates Required
  • Update educational qualification status — indicate whether already passed or appearing for final year of qualifying examination
  • Upload documentary proof of having passed the requisite educational qualification
⚠️ Critical: Candidates who fail to provide such proof within the prescribed time will not be permitted to appear for the Interview / Personality Test, and their candidature will stand cancelled.
Optional Updates Permitted
  • Change or update of correspondence and permanent postal address
  • Entry of higher educational qualifications obtained after filling the initial application
  • Entry of achievements in sports, academics, or other fields
  • Details regarding employment history or previous service experience
  • Information about any previous allocation of forces in earlier CAPF (AC) Examinations
  • Declaration or revision of preference order of the five CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) for final service allocation
❌ Final and Binding: Any changes made during this 15-day window will be considered final. No further request for modification will be entertained through any other means — email, postal, or physical submission. False declarations or mismatches may result in cancellation of candidature.
📞 Candidate Helpline & Interactive Support Cell

UPSC has established a dedicated Candidate Interactive Helpline for the CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Examination to support applicants during the application process.

📞

UPSC CAPF Helpline

011-24041001 ⏰ Monday to Friday · 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Excluding Government Holidays

This facility can be used for queries related to:

Online registration and OTR
Submission of application form
Fee payment issues
Photograph or document discrepancies
Any other technical or procedural concern
✅ Recommended: Use this helpline for authentic guidance instead of relying on unofficial or third-party sources claiming to provide UPSC assistance.

Application Compliance Checklist

Ensure you have addressed each of the following before and after submitting your CAPF application form.

Register on OTR at upsconline.gov.in before applying
Verify all OTR fields match supporting documents
Upload recent photo (max 10 days old, name & date visible)
Enter correct Photo ID details and upload scanned copy
Pay application fee before 6:00 PM on the closing date
Select preferred examination centre carefully
Inform your department if employed in government service
Use correction window (26 Mar – 1 Apr) to fix any errors
Complete 15-day data update window after written result
Regularly check upsconline.gov.in for official updates
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