UPSC CAPF Prelims 2024, Exam Pattern

PWOnlyIAS May 21, 2024 07:07 1226 0

Prepare for the UPSC CAPF Prelims 2024 with insight into the exam pattern. Understand the structure, marking scheme, and syllabus for Papers 1 and 2 to boost your preparation effectively.

UPSC CAPF Prelims 2024, Exam Pattern

UPSC CAPF Prelims is the first pathway for recruitment to the Assistant Commandants (Group A) in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which includes the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

UPSC CAPF Prelims Exam

UPSC CAPF Prelims is the primary stage of the UPSC CAPF Exam; it is an objective and subjective based question paper. UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) Prelims exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is a single day exam date decided by the Union Public Service Commission candidates have to reach the destination assigned by the commission for the prelims examination. Before going into further details of UPSC CAPF Prelims Exam let us see the exam pattern of UPSC CAPF.

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UPSC CAPF 2024 Exam Pattern

UPSC CAPF Prelims

UPSC CAPF 2024 exam consist of overall three stages of exam each stage is in different format the initial stage 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:

  • 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.

UPSC CAPF 2024 Examination Format 

Written Examination Paper 1 General Ability and Intelligence 250 Marks 2 hours
Paper2 General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension 200 Marks 3 hours
Physical Efficiency Test Qualifying 
Interview 150 Marks


  • 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


  • 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 Prelims Exam Pattern

The UPSC CAPF Prelims is the preliminary examination for the Central Armed Police Forces recruitment, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It consists of two papers: Paper I, an objective test on General Ability and Intelligence worth 250 marks, and Paper II, a descriptive test on General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension worth 200 marks. Paper I is held in the morning and lasts two hours, while Paper II takes place in the afternoon and lasts three hours. This exam evaluates candidates’ knowledge, analytical skills, and language proficiency to determine their eligibility for further stages of the selection process.

UPSC CAPF 2024 Examination Format 
Written Examination Paper 1 General Ability and Intelligence 125 Questions 250 Marks 2 hours
Paper2 General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension 200 Marks (80 Marks for Essay Questions ans 120 marks for comprehension, precis writing 3 hours

UPSC CAPF Prelims Paper 1

The UPSC CAPF Prelims 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. 

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UPSC CAPF Prelims 2024 Paper 2

The UPSC CAPF Prelims Paper 2 is a descriptive examination conducted in the afternoon session as part of the Central Armed Police Forces recruitment process. It assesses candidates’ proficiency in General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension. The paper is worth 200 marks and has a duration of three hours. Candidates are required to write essays on various topics, demonstrating their ability to articulate ideas clearly and coherently. 

Additionally, comprehension passages test their reading and understanding skills. This paper evaluates candidates’ written communication skills, critical thinking, and ability to present well-structured arguments, crucial for roles in the CAPF.

UPSC CAPF Prelims 2024 Paper Checking Criteria

As per the latest notification of UPSC candidates should ensure that in Paper II candidates writing the Essay Component in English or Hindi, but the medium of Precis Writing, Comprehension Components and other communications/ language skills will be English only. Candidates should ensure that in Paper II they write the answers only in the medium allowed by the Commission for the different Components as mentioned above. No credit will be given for answers written in a medium other than the one allowed in the Paper.

In UPSC CAPF Prelims Paper there will be minimum qualifying marks separately in each Paper as may be fixed by the Commission in their discretion. Paper-I will be evaluated first and evaluation of Paper-II will be done only of those candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-I.

UPSC CAPF Prelims 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. There is different syllabus for different papers of written examination or prelims examination of UPSC CAPF Exam. Let us see the syllabus of each paper individually.

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 2024 Prelims Preparation Tips

Clearing the UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) exam requires a well-planned and focused approach by the candidates. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively for the prelims in 2024:

  • Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus- The initial step is to thoroughly understand the UPSC CAPF exam pattern and syllabus. The prelims consist of two papers: Paper-I (General Ability and Intelligence) and Paper-II (General Studies). Candidate should familarise with the weightage of each section and the types of questions asked. This will help you strategize your preparation and allocate study time accordingly.
  • Creation of a Study Plan- Developing a realistic and comprehensive study plan that covers all the topics in the syllabus. Break down the syllabus into manageable chunks and set achievable daily, weekly, and monthly targets.
  • Use Quality Study Materials- Refer to standard textbooks, study guides, and online resources recommended by UPSC CAPF toppers and experts. NCERT textbooks for History, Geography, Polity, and Economics are a great foundation for your preparation. Additionally, solve previous years’ question papers and mock tests to understand the exam format, question difficulty level, and time management strategies.
  • Focus on Important Topics- While covering the entire syllabus is important, prioritize topics that carry higher weightage in the exam. Some of the important topics for Paper-I include reasoning, analytical ability, basic numeracy, and general science. For Paper-II, focus on Indian Polity, Economy, History, Geography, Science & Technology, Security and Internal Security issues, and Current Affairs.
  • Develop Your Answer Writing Skills- The UPSC CAPF prelims emphasize answer writing speed and accuracy. Practice writing concise and to-the-point answers within the word limit. Focus on improving your language skills, clarity of thought, and presentation.
  • Stay Updated on Current Affairs- Regularly follow newspapers, news websites, and credible news channels to stay updated on current national and international affairs. Develop a habit of reading editorials and analytical articles to enhance your understanding of contemporary issues.
  • Time Management is Key- Time management is crucial for success in the UPSC CAPF prelims. Practice solving mock tests and previous years’ question papers under timed conditions to improve your speed and accuracy. Learn to effectively manage time during the exam to attempt all questions within the stipulated time frame.
  • Join a Coaching Institute (Optional)- Consider joining a reputed coaching institute for UPSC CAPF preparation if needed. Coaching institutes provide structured guidance, expert faculty, study materials, and a competitive environment that can be beneficial for some aspirants. 
  • Stay Motivated and Focused- UPSC CAPF preparation can be demanding. Stay motivated throughout your preparation journey by setting realistic goals, rewarding yourself for your achievements, and maintaining a positive attitude. Surround yourself with positive influences and avoid distractions.
  • Revise Regularly- Revision is key to retaining information and improving your understanding of concepts. Regularly revise the topics you have covered to ensure long-term memory and boost your confidence on exam day.

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UPSC CAPF Prelims 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.

The CAPF Prelims exam consists of two papers: Paper I (General Ability and Intelligence) with objective questions for 250 marks in 2 hours, and Paper II (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension) with descriptive questions for 200 marks in 3 hours.

No, CAPF Paper II is not merely qualifying; its marks are considered for the final merit list along with Paper I and the subsequent stages of the selection process.

Paper 1 Syllabus: General Ability and Intelligence covering General Mental Ability, General Science, Current Events, Indian Polity and Economy, History of India, and Indian and World Geography. Paper 2 Syllabus: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension including essay writing, precise writing, comprehension, and other language skills.
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Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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