Vacancies, Eligibility Criteria
& Reservation Policy
A complete guide to vacancy details, reservation categories, nationality requirements, age limits with relaxations, educational qualifications, and the strict rules governing category declarations and documentation for the UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Examination.
Apply early to secure your preferred examination centre before seats fill up.
Prepare reservation documents — all certificates must be in hand before the closing date.
Category selection is final — no changes are permitted after application submission.
Review consent requirements for employment data sharing at the interview stage.
The number of vacancies will be declared in the official notification and is provisional, subject to change based on force requirements and Government approval.
Scheduled Castes
Reservation as per Government of India policy on social justice
Scheduled Tribes
Reservation as per Government of India policy on social justice
Other Backward Classes
Non-creamy layer candidates eligible for OBC reservation benefits
Economically Weaker Sections
Candidates with valid Income & Asset Certificate for FY 2023–24
Ex-Servicemen
10% of total vacancies reserved exclusively for Ex-Servicemen
Eligibility based on nationality follows strict criteria. Both male and female candidates may apply without any gender-based restriction.
Nationality Requirement
The applicant must be a citizen of India.
Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan may also be considered eligible for appointment, but only with the prior written consent of the Central Government, in accordance with international and bilateral obligations.
Gender Eligibility
Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the CAPF Assistant Commandant position. There is no gender-based restriction in this recruitment process.
Candidates must fall within the prescribed age bracket to be eligible. Age limits are strictly enforced unless covered by an approved relaxation category.
UPSC permits age relaxation for candidates belonging to specific categories as detailed below.
The term Ex-Servicemen is as defined under the Ex-Servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, as amended, and the DoPT Office Memorandum dated 27 February 2023.
Currently Serving Armed Forces Personnel
Candidates currently serving in the Armed Forces will be treated as Ex-Servicemen only if they are due for release from service within one year from the closing date of the application.
If the selection process takes longer than one year, such candidates will retain their Ex-Servicemen eligibility if released after one year from the last date of application submission.
Civilian Central Government Servants
The term refers to employees as defined under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, as amended from time to time.
- Must be currently working under the Central Government
- Must submit valid documentary proof of service to claim age relaxation
- Employees of State Governments, PSUs, or private organizations are not eligible
UPSC accepts only specific documents for age verification. Candidates must ensure their submitted document matches what was entered during the online application.
- Matriculation (Class 10th) Certificate
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate
- Certificate from a recognized Indian University equivalent to Matriculation
- Extract from Register of Matriculates, duly certified by proper authority
- Higher Secondary or equivalent exam certificate issued by a recognized Board or Council
- Birth certificates from Municipal Corporations
- Horoscopes or religious texts
- Affidavits or self-declarations
- Service records or employment documents
- Any other document not listed in the accepted category
To be eligible for the CAPF (ACs) Examination, a candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognised institution as specified below.
Required Qualification
A Bachelor's Degree from any of the following:
- A University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India
- Any educational institution established by an Act of Parliament
- An institution declared to be a deemed university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956
- Any other qualification considered equivalent by the Government of India
Awaiting Results — Still Eligible to Apply
Candidates who have appeared in a qualifying examination but have not yet received results are permitted to apply. If shortlisted after the written exam, they must provide proof of having passed (degree certificate, final mark sheet, or provisional degree certificate) within the time limit specified in Rule 15, Sub-Rules 9.1 and 9.2.
Equivalent Qualifications Considered
In exceptional cases, the Commission may allow a candidate who does not hold the standard degree to appear, provided they have passed another examination that, in the opinion of the Commission, is equivalent in standard and relevance to the required qualification.
Professional & Technical Qualifications
Candidates possessing professional and technical qualifications recognized by the Government as equivalent to a professional or technical degree are also eligible to apply.
Restriction on Re-Appearance for Previously Selected Candidates
Any candidate who has already been finally selected or recommended for the post of Assistant Commandant in any CAPF through a previous UPSC CAPF examination is not eligible to apply again for the same post. This ensures fair opportunity for new aspirants.
Candidates claiming OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) or EWS reservation must ensure their certificates meet specific validity and dating conditions. Non-compliant certificates will be rejected.
- Must be issued on or after 01 April 2024 (after completion of FY 2023–24)
- Must reflect income details for FY 2023–24, 2022–23, and 2021–22
- Must be issued before or by the application closing date
- Must be a valid Income & Asset Certificate issued for FY 2023–24
- Must be dated on or after 01 April 2024
- Must be submitted no later than the application closing date
UPSC has laid down strict rules regarding category declarations. No modifications are permitted post-submission under any circumstances.
No Switch from General to Reserved
If a candidate applies under the General category, a later request to switch to any reserved category will not be entertained under any circumstances.
No Interchange Between Reserved Categories
A candidate cannot switch from one reserved category to another — such as SC to ST, OBC to SC/ST, or EWS to SC/ST/OBC, and vice versa.
No Post-Result Claim to General Seats
Reserved category candidates who do not qualify on general merit cannot later opt for unreserved vacancies, even if documents or merit positions change.
Rare Exception Clause
If a candidate's caste was officially notified by the Government for reservation within three months before the application deadline, a request for conversion from General to Reserved may be considered on merit by the Commission.
The issuance of an e-Admit Card is not a final approval of eligibility. UPSC verifies eligibility through original documents only after the written examination stage.
Provisional Acceptance via e-Admit Card
Issuance of an e-Admit Card is purely provisional and does not confirm final eligibility or the accuracy of claims made in the application form.
Document Verification After Written Stage
Only after a candidate qualifies the written stage will UPSC verify eligibility by examining original documents. Until then, all candidatures remain provisional.
15-Day Data Update Window
Candidates who qualify the written exam and clear PST/PET will be granted a 15-day data update window from the date of the written result declaration. During this window, they must mandatorily upload proof of educational qualification. Optional updates include change of address, higher qualifications, achievements, employment history, and CAPF preference order revision.
Failure to Update = Cancellation
Candidates who fail to upload mandatory educational proof within the 15-day window will not be permitted to appear for the Interview/Personality Test and their candidature will stand cancelled. All changes made in this window are final and binding.
Candidates must ensure their contact information is accurate and accessible throughout the entire exam cycle. UPSC is not responsible for missed communications due to outdated details.
The email address provided in the online application must be valid, active, and accessible throughout the exam cycle.
UPSC may use this email ID to communicate official updates or instructions at different stages of the selection process.
The postal address provided in the application must be current and correct at all times throughout the recruitment process.
If a candidate changes address, they must inform the Commission as soon as possible.
For any notifications, admit cards, results, and official communications, candidates must regularly check the official UPSC website only.
Stay Updated — Official UPSC Portal
All notifications, admit cards, results, and official communications are published exclusively on the official UPSC website. Relying on unofficial or third-party sources is strongly discouraged.
Eligibility & Reservation Compliance Checklist
Ensure you have verified each of the following before submitting your CAPF application.