UPSC CAPF AC Eligibility 2026: Age, Education and Physical Standards

UPSC CAPF AC eligibility depends on four things: your age on the cut-off date, your educational qualification, your nationality, and your physical and medical fitness. The Union Public Service Commission checks each of these at different stages, so a mistake you miss early can cost you the attempt later.

This page covers the rules for the 2026 cycle in plain language. It explains how age is counted, what counts as a valid degree, which relaxations apply, and which physical standards you must meet to become an Assistant Commandant in the Central Armed Police Forces.

The details below follow the 2026 notification as reported by public sources. Read the official notice for the final wording before you apply, especially for relaxations and certificates.

Table of Contents

• Eligibility at a glance

• Educational qualification

• Age limit and relaxation

• Nationality and number of attempts

• Physical and medical standards

• Application fee

• Documents to keep ready

• Common reasons for rejection

• How to check your eligibility

Eligibility at a glance

Educational qualification

You need a bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of the Central or a State legislature, or an institution recognised as a deemed university, or an equivalent qualification. There is no restriction on stream, so graduates in arts, science, commerce, engineering and other fields can apply.

Final-year students

Candidates in their final year or awaiting results have been allowed to apply in the past. They must submit proof of passing the degree by the date given in the notice, and candidature is provisional until they do. If you are in this group, keep your final mark sheet or provisional certificate ready.

Points to check on your degree

• University recognition: Confirm that your university or institute is recognised in India.

• Result date: Make sure your result date falls inside the deadline in the notification.

• Name match: Your name and date of birth should match across the degree, school certificates and ID proof.

Age limit and relaxation

The age limit for the 2026 cycle is 20 to 25 years as on 1 August 2026. A general-category candidate should therefore have been born on or after 2 August 2001 and on or before 1 August 2006. UPSC accepts the date of birth recorded in the matriculation or equivalent certificate, so rely on that document and not on other records.

Relaxation figures above are reported from the 2026 notice by public sources, and the exact rules for service-related categories vary. Treat them as a guide and check the notice. Relaxation does not apply to the lower age limit.

Nationality and number of attempts

The notification lays down the nationality conditions that you must satisfy. Read this part carefully if you are not a citizen of India by birth, because some categories need a certificate of eligibility.

There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts. You can appear every year until you cross the maximum age for your category. This makes the date of birth rule the real limit, so check your last eligible year early and plan around it.

Physical and medical standards

Physical fitness is part of eligibility. Candidates who pass the written exam are tested for physical standards, physical efficiency and medical fitness. Failing any of these ends your candidature, whatever your written score.

Physical standards (PST)

Relaxations in height or chest may be available for some categories and regions, such as certain tribal and hill areas. The notice lists them.

Physical efficiency test (PET)

The PET is qualifying and does not add marks. It is held after the written result, and a nodal force announces the schedule.

Vision standards

• Distant vision (with correction): 6/6 or 6/9 in the better eye, and 6/12 or 6/9 in the worse eye.

• Near vision: N6 in the better eye and N9 in the worse eye.

• Other conditions: The medical board also checks for colour blindness, knock knees, flat foot and other disqualifying conditions given in the notice.

Application fee

The reported fee is Rs. 200. Women candidates and candidates from SC and ST categories are exempt. Others pay through the online portal using the modes shown on the payment page. A fee paid for one application cannot be moved to another, and it is not refunded if your form is later rejected.

Documents to keep ready

Common reasons for rejection

• Wrong category claim: Claiming a relaxation without a valid certificate that was issued before the closing date.

• Age mismatch: A date of birth in the form that does not match the matriculation certificate.

• Missing degree proof: Not producing the degree or result within the stated deadline.

• Missing the detailed application window: Qualified candidates who skip the post-result form cannot attend later stages.

• Failing physical or medical standards: Height, weight, vision or fitness below the prescribed level.

Candidature stays provisional until UPSC verifies every claim against original documents at the interview stage.

How to check your eligibility

1. Count your age: Work out your age on the cut-off date from your matriculation certificate, then add the relaxation for your category.

2. Verify your degree: Confirm recognition and your result date.

3. Check your body measurements: Measure height, chest and weight early, and get your vision checked.

4. Collect the certificates: Apply for any category certificates well before the closing date.

5. Read the notice end to end: The notification, not a summary page, is the final authority.

Always compare these details with the official notice on the UPSC website.