CAPF FAQs

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) refers to uniform nomenclature of five security forces in India under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs. They are the

• Border Security Force (BSF)
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

Assistant Commandant (AC), is a Group-A Gazetted Officer rank in the Central Armed Police Forces of India. It is equivalent to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) / Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Captain in Indian Army.

Apart from performing various decision making and supervisory functions, similar to any other Group ‘A’ service, the executive officers of the CAPF perform several other managerial functions peculiar to the service, besides leading the troops in the field. Their role and performance, therefore, assumes a great significance due to the special features of an emergency force which is pressed in aid to civil power to perform multiple roles in extremely difficult situations.

Yes, the NSG draws part of its force from the CAPF.

Yes, there is a provision of going on deputation in various other police organisations including the State police and the NSG (Black CAT Commandos )

The recruitment process consists of 3 phases :

• Written Test – Paper I & Paper II
• Physical Efficiency Test (PET) / Medical Standards Test
• Personal Interview

Written Test consists of 2 papers:

• Paper I : (Objective) General Ability and Intelligence – 250 marks
• Paper II: (Descriptive) General Studies, Essay and Comprehension – 200 marks

Paper II of the candidate would be evaluated only after he/she clears a minimum score in Paper I. This minimum score is decided by the UPSC.

Physical Efficiency Tests (PET)
Test	Males	Females
100 Meters Race	In 16 seconds	In 18 seconds
800 Meters Race	In 3 minutes 46 seconds	In 4 minutes 45 seconds
Long Jump	3.5 meters (3 chances)	3.0 meters (3 chances)
Shot Put (7.26 Kgs.)	4.5 Meters	–

After qualifying in the above tests, you will be headed for a Medical Standards Test. In this test, a Government Medical Officer will conduct some medical tests according to the Commission’s Guidelines. After clearing this Medical Standards Test, you will be called for a Personal Interview. Note: all these above requirements are very relaxed ones. For the post of SI/Constables you have to complete everything in almost half the above time. So, everything above is easily doable with less than 2 weeks of preparation.

Paper I

• General Mental Ability
• General Science
• Current Events of National and International Importance
• Indian Polity and Economy
• History of India
• Indian and World Geography

Paper II

• Essay Writing.
• Comprehension.
• Precis Writing.
• Counter Argument.
• Communications.
• Report Writing.

The age of applicants should be in between 20 to 25 as on 1^st August of the examination year. SC/ST candidates are given a relaxation of 5 years and OBC of 3 years.

Students must be degree holders or graduates (degree recognized by UGC) to appear for this Examination. Indian students holding a foreign degree need to ensure that their degree is accredited or recognized by UGC. There is no minimum marks requirement. Anyone who has just passed the degree exam can also apply. Applicants who are pursuing education and are in their final semester or final year may apply.   Both Men/Female applicants can apply for the posts of Assistant Commandants in CISF, CRPF, SSB, and BSF. However, for the post of ITBP, only male candidates can apply.