UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern 2024

PWOnlyIAS May 20, 2024 07:41 1853 0

Explore the comprehensive UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern 2024, comprising three stages: written examination, physical efficiency test, and interview. Understand the format, marking scheme, and syllabus for each stage, along with valuable preparation tips for aspirants aiming for success in this prestigious examination.

UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern 2024

UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern consists of three stages: the first is the written examination, second is physical efficiency test and third stage is interview or personality test. Aspiring candidates have to clear all the stages of the exam successfully to get final selection.

UPSC CAPF Exam pattern aims to guide candidates through each stage of the exam, explaining the components, format, and marking scheme of the written examinations, the requirements of the physical and medical tests, and the criteria for the interview/personality test. If a candidate wants to be selected in the final list of examinations he/she should have to successfully clear every stage of the exam.

UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern

UPSC CAPF 2024 exam have majorly three crucial stages. There is a different pattern for each stage. The initial stage of UPSC CAPF exam is written examination, second stage is Physical Endurance Test and third is Personality Test candidates have to clear each stage for final selection in this exam. Let us see each stages of exam:

UPSC CAPF EXAM Pattern

  • Written Examination- Written Examination of UPSC CAPF Exam consist of two papers held at different time intervals on the same day. The first paper is known as Paper 1 and the second paper is known as Paper II. 
    • Paper I (General Ability and Intelligence)- Paper 1 is an objective-type paper in the format of multiple-choice questions and has a total of 250 marks, with a duration of 2 hours. Questions asked in Paper 1 are generally from General Mental Ability, covering logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude; General Science, emphasizing scientific awareness and technology; Current Events of National and International Importance; Indian Polity and Economy; History of India; and Indian and World Geography. 
    • Paper II (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension)- Paper II of the UPSC CAPF exam is a descriptive paper structured to evaluate candidates’ proficiency in language skills and their ability to articulate thoughts coherently. It is divided into two parts: Part A, which includes essay writing on topics related to national security, polity, economy, culture, and current affairs, and Part B, which focuses on comprehension, précis writing, and other language skills. The total marks for Paper 2 are 200, and the duration is 3 hours.

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UPSC CAPF 2024 Examination Format 

Written Examination Paper 1 General Ability and Intelligence Objective Type 250 Marks 2 hours
Paper2 General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension Subjective Type 200 Marks 3 hours
Physical Efficinecy Test Qualifying 
Interview 150 Marks
UPSC CAPF Marking Scheme
  • Negative marking applies only to the objective type paper, i.e., Paper-I.
  • For each wrong answer, 1/3rd (0.33) marks will be deducted.
  • If a candidate gives more than one answer to a question, it will be considered a wrong answer, and 1/3rd marks will be deducted, even if one of the answers is correct.
  • If a question is left blank, i.e., no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no deduction for that question.
  • Paper-II is descriptive, so no negative marking is applicable.


  • Physical Efficiency Test- Candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination will be summoned for Physical Standards/Physical Efficiency Tests and Medical Standards Tests. Those candidates who meet the prescribed Physical Standard as specified will be put through the Physical Efficiency Tests as indicated below : 
Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) for CAPF (AC) Exam
Parameters Male Female
  • 100 Metres Race
16 sec 18 sec
  • 800 Metres Race
In 3 min 45 sec  In 4 min 45 second
  • Long Jump
3.5 metres (3 chances)  3.0 metres (3 chances)
  • Shot Put (7.26 kg)
4.5 metres


  • Medical Examination- The medical examination is conducted by a board of qualified medical officers as specified by the CAPF. This comprehensive examination evaluates various aspects of the candidate’s health to ensure they meet the required standards.
    • The examination typically includes assessments of vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, respiratory function, neurological function, musculoskeletal health, and general physical fitness. Each component is evaluated against the standards set by the CAPF. 
  • Interview/ Personality Test
    Candidates who successfully clear the medical examination are called for an interview/personality test. The interview finds out the candidates’ leadership qualities, mental and social traits, and interest in current affairs. The board evaluates their ability to make decisions, critical thinking, and overall personality. Total Marks allotted to interview rounds are 150 marks.

UPSC CAPF (AC) Exam 2024 Syllabus 

The UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) exam syllabus covers a broad range of topics aimed at evaluating candidates’ knowledge, intelligence, and aptitude.

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Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence Paper II: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension
1. General Mental Ability 1. Essay writing
Logical reasoning, Analytical ability, Number series, Letter series, Codes, Relationships, Classification, Analogies, Similarities and differences, Jumbling, Venn diagram, Data interpretation and sufficiency, Conclusions and decision making, Mathematical operations Socio-economic issues, Governance, Cultural heritage, Environmental issues, International relations, Science and technology, Security challenges, Political and administrative aspects
2. General Science 2. Comprehension
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Basics of everyday science Understanding passages, Drawing inference, Summarizing, Vocabulary
3. Current Events of National and International Importance 3. Precis writing
Recent developments in politics, economy, society, science, technology, sports, and culture both nationally and internationally, Important personalities, Awards and honors, Major governmental schemes Condensing passages, Retaining the core ideas
4. Indian Polity and Economy 4. Counter-argument
Constitution of India, Fundamental rights and duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, Indian political system, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Economic and social development, Sustainable Development Goals, Issues relating to poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, Land reforms, Economic planning, Budgeting, Taxation, Inflation Analyzing arguments, Identifying fallacies, Presenting counter-arguments effectively
5. History of India 5. Simple grammar and other aspects of language testing
Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, Indian National Movement, Cultural heritage, Art and architecture Basic grammar rules, Sentence structure, Vocabulary building, Idioms and phrases, Synonyms and antonyms, Sentence completion
6. Indian and World Geography
Physical geography of India and the World, Economic geography of India and the World, Environmental geography, Geographical phenomena, Natural resources

UPSC CAPF (AC) Exam 2024 Application Process

Candidates are required to apply online only by using the website https://www.upsconline. nic.in. It is essential for the applicant to register himself/herself first at One Time Registration (OTR) platform, available on the Commission’s website, and then proceed for filling up the online application for the examination. 

The application process for the UPSC CAPF exam involves several steps, including registration, filling out the application form, uploading documents, fee payment, and submission. Here are the teps to Apply for the application for UPSC CAPF (AC) Exam.

  • Registration: Candidates need to visit the official UPSC website and register themselves using a valid email ID and mobile number.
  • Filling out the Application Form: After registration, candidates can log in and fill out the application form with personal, educational, and other required details.
  • Uploading Documents: Candidates need to upload scanned copies of documents such as photograph, signature, and relevant certificates as per the specifications provided in the application form.
  • Fee Payment: The application fee can be paid online through various modes such as debit/credit card, net banking, or offline through bank challan.
  • Submission: After completing all the steps and verifying the information provided, candidates can submit the application form.
  • Requirement of documents- To complete the application process, candidates must ensure that they have the necessary documents readily available. These include a scanned copy of your recent passport-size photograph and signature, which will be used for identification purposes. For candidates belonging to a specific category that requires certification, such as a reserved category, be sure to include the relevant category certificate. 
  • Application Fee- As per the latest notification the application fee for the UPSC CAPF exam is generally Rs. 200 for candidates from the general category. However, female candidates and those belonging to SC/ST categories are typically exempted from paying this fee.
  • Photograph and Signature Guidelines- As per the latest guidelines  The photograph, uploaded by candidate should not be more than 10 days old from the start of the online application process (i.e. the application commencement date).
    • Ensure that the name of the candidate and the date on which the photograph was taken are clearly mentioned on the photograph.
    • The candidate’s face should occupy 3/4th of the space in the photograph.

UPSC CAPF 2024 Exam Post Written Examination Process

After the UPSC CAPF exam, there are several steps involved in the post-examination process:

  • Result Announcement- The results of the written examination are typically announced a few months after the exam date. Candidates can check their results on the official UPSC website by logging in with their credentials. The result includes the names and roll numbers of candidates who have qualified for the next stage of the selection process.
  • Merit List Preparation- A merit list is prepared based on the performance of candidates in the written examination. Candidates are ranked in order of merit based on their marks secured in the written exam.
  • Physical and Medical Examination: Candidates who qualify the written examination and are shortlisted in the merit list are called for a Physical efficiency and medical examination. 
    • The medical examination ensures that candidates meet the required physical and medical standards as per the guidelines set by CAPF authorities. Candidates must undergo various medical tests to assess their overall health and fitness.
  • Interview and Personality Test- Candidates who clear the medical examination are called for a final interview/personality test. The interview assesses the candidates’ leadership qualities, mental and social traits, and their interest and knowledge in current affairs. The interview panel evaluates candidates’ communication skills, decision-making abilities, and overall personality.
  • Final Selection and Training– After the interview/personality test, the final selection is made based on the candidates’ performance in the written examination, medical examination, and interview. A final merit list is prepared, including the names of candidates who have successfully cleared all stages of the selection process. Selected candidates are then required to undergo training at designated training academies of the respective CAPF units. 

UPSC CAPF 2024 Preparation Tips for Each Stage

The UPSC CAPF exam is highly competitive, requiring candidates to be well-prepared across various subjects and physical requirements. Thorough preparation is essential because:

  • Comprehensive Knowledge: The exam covers a wide range of topics, from general mental ability to current events, which demands a deep understanding and retention of information.
  • Time Management: Practicing consistently helps candidates manage the limited time effectively during the exam.
  • Physical Fitness: Regular physical training is crucial to meet the demanding standards of the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
  • Confidence Building: Proper preparation boosts confidence, reducing anxiety and improving performance in both written and physical tests.
  • Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the structure, types of questions, and marking scheme of the exam.
  • Create a Study Plan: Develop a realistic and balanced study schedule that covers all topics and allows time for revision.
  • Use Quality Study Materials: Refer to recommended books and resources that provide comprehensive coverage of the syllabus.
  • Practice Regularly: Take mock tests and practice previous years’ question papers to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Revise Frequently: Regular revision helps in retaining information and understanding concepts better.
  • Seek Guidance: Join coaching classes or study groups if needed for better understanding and motivation. If you need any guidance with well qualified faculty and top quality content with high relevancy with exam join PW Batches

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UPSC CAPF Exam Pattern FAQs

The examination consists of two sections: Part I and Part II. The first examination is of the objective type and is available in both English and Hindi. The second exam is descriptive in nature and only accepts answers in English. There will be 450 questions in all.

No, Paper 2 of the UPSC CAPF exam is not just qualifying. It is a descriptive paper worth 200 marks and is essential for the final merit list. Marks from both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are considered for shortlisting candidates for subsequent stages like the Physical Efficiency Test and interview.

Both CAPF and CDS exams pose unique challenges. CAPF emphasizes physical fitness and paramilitary knowledge, while CDS requires a broader understanding of military subjects and faces intense competition for officer positions. The difficulty varies based on individual strengths, preparation, and career aspirations.

The Physical Standard Test/ Physical Efficiency Test (PST/PET), which is administered as the second stage of the CAPF AC Recruitment procedure, determines a candidate's physical fitness in order to join these organizations.

No, physically handicapped person are not eligible for UPSC CAPF exam.
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