The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the recruitment of Assistant Commandants (Group A) within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for the 2026 cycle. The announcement was made on February 20, 2026, via the commission’s official website. This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 349 vacancies across various security forces.
Prospective candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, including an age range of 20 to 25 years and holding a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, are invited to apply. The registration window opened on February 20, 2026, and will conclude on March 12, 2026. Detailed information regarding the examination and application process is available through the official UPSC portals.
UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Designation | Assistant Commandants (Group A) |
| Participating Forces | BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB |
| Total Vacancies | 349 |
| Advertisement Number | Examination Notice No. 08/2026-CAPF |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University |
| Age Requirement | 20 to 25 Years (as of August 1, 2026) |
| Application Commencement | February 20, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | March 12, 2026 (up to 18:00 hours) |
| Scheduled Exam Date | July 19, 2026 |
| Official Websites | upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in |
Distribution of Vacancies by Force
The 349 available positions are distributed among the various Central Armed Police Forces as follows. Please note that these figures are tentative and subject to change based on administrative requirements. Furthermore, 10% of the total vacancies are reserved for Ex-servicemen.
| S.No | Force Name | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Border Security Force (BSF) | 108 |
| 2 | Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) | 106 |
| 3 | Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) | 70 |
| 4 | Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) | 53 |
| 5 | Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | 12 |
| TOTAL | 349 | |
Eligibility Requirements
Nationality and Gender
- Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of India. Individuals from Nepal or Bhutan may also be eligible for appointment provided they obtain written consent from the Central Government.
- Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the Assistant Commandant positions.
Educational Qualifications
- Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or from other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament, or declared as a deemed university under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
- Applicants currently in their final year of a degree program who are awaiting results are also eligible to apply. However, such candidates must produce proof of passing (Degree Certificate or Final Mark Sheet) within the timeframe specified by the Commission.
- Important Restriction: Qualifications obtained through part-time or distance learning modes are not recognized for this recruitment.
- The Commission may, in exceptional circumstances, consider a candidate who lacks the formal qualifications mentioned above if they have passed an examination of an equivalent standard.
- Professional or technical degrees recognized by the Government as equivalent to a university degree are also acceptable.