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UPSC CAPF Eligibility Criteria 2026, Check Age Limit & Qualification

Paulami Chandra

Feb 21, 2026

UPSC CAPF Eligibility Criteria 2026 are based on the parameters of nationality, Age limit, and educational qualification of the candidates. To apply for UPSC CAPF exam 2026, you should possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. You should be between 20 and 25 years of age. However, there are age relaxations for the reserved category. To be eligible for UPSC CAPF AC exam 2026, candidates must be nationals of India. Additionally, they must also meet the physical and medical standards set by UPSC.


UPSC CAPF
2026 Age Limit

Aspirants applying for UPSC CAPF 2026 exam must fulfill the age limit criteria. The details of the age limit are given in the points below:

  • To be eligible for the UPSC CAPF exam, candidates must be between 20 and 25 years of age, on August 1, 2026, i.e., he/she must have been born not earlier than August 2, 2001, and not later than August 1, 2006.
  • However, age relaxations will be given to the candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, etc.

UPSC CAPF 2026 Age Relaxation

According to UPSC CAPF age limit 2026, aspirants belonging to the reserved categories will be given the upper age limit relaxation. Below is the age relaxation as per UPSC CAPF eligibility for different categories:

Category Upper Age Limit Relaxation
Scheduled Caste (SC) Up to 5 years
Scheduled Tribe (ST) Up to 5 years
Other Backward Classes (OBC) Up to 3 years
Civilian Central Government Servants Up to 5 years
Ex-Servicemen Up to 5 years

UPSC CAPF 2026 Educational Qualification

UPSC CAPF 2026 educational qualification for the exam needs the candidates to possess certain educational qualifications. Those who do not fulfill the educational qualifications criteria will refrain from applying for UPSC CAPF exam.

  • As per UPSC CAPF Eligibility Criteria, aspirants must possess a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in any stream from a government-recognized university. The University must be incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India.
  • Other educational institutions formed by an Act of Parliament or declared to be a Deemed University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, are also acceptable.
  • Those aspirants who have appeared in the degree-qualifying examination and are waiting for their results can also apply for the exam. However, candidates must keep in mind that their admission will remain provisional unless they produce proof of passing the examination after qualifying for the entrance test of UPSC CAPF.
  • Those aspirants who possess technical and professional qualifications recognized by the Government as equivalent to the technical and professional degree would also be considered eligible to apply for UPSC CAPF exam.
  • There may be some exceptions in which UPSC may treat an aspirant who does not have any of the above-given qualifications as a qualified aspirant, provided that they have passed an examination held by the other Institutions, whose degree justifies their eligibility.

The Central Government has decided to give bonus marks to the aspirants who hold the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Certificate in UPSC CAPF recruitment. Below are the NCC categories that are about to get the bonus marks:

  • Aspirants having an NCC ‘B’ certificate will get a bonus mark of 3% of the maximum marks.
  • Aspirants having an NCC ‘C’ certificate will get a bonus mark of 5% of the maximum marks.

UPSC CAPF 2026 Nationality

Aspirants who meet the following citizenship criteria can apply for UPSC CAPF exam:

  • Applicants must be Indian citizens to be eligible for UPSC CAPF exam.
  • Those who hold citizenship in Bhutan or Nepal are also eligible for UPSC CAPF exam.
  • Candidates who belong to other nationalities will not be employed or appointed in the Armed Police Forces until they have obtained the consent of the Central Government in writing.

UPSC CAPF 2026 Number of Attempts

Union Public Service Commission has not mentioned the maximum number of attempts available to aspirants. However, there is an age limit prescribed by UPSC, which means that the aspirants can only apply for UPSC CAPF exam between the ages of 20 and 25 years.

UPSC CAPF 2026 Work Experience

UPSC CAPF 2026 eligibility for work experience has no such eligibility criteria prescribed. Aspirants with or without any work experience can apply for UPSC CAPF exam 2026.

UPSC CAPF 2026 Physical Standards

The candidates must pass UPSC CAPF Physical Test 2026 to qualify for the CAPF post. The minimum UPSC CAPF Physical Eligibility 2026 standards may differ as per the gender of the aspirants. The physical standards as per CAPF eligibility are given in the table below:

Attribute Female Male
Weight 46 Kg 50 Kg
Height 157 cm 165 cm
Chest (unexpanded) Not applicable 81 cm (with 5 cm minimum expansion)

UPSC CAPF 2026 Medical Standards

UPSC CAPF 2026 Medical Standards ensure that candidates are physically and medically fit for Assistant Commandant duties in paramilitary forces. The medical test checks vision, hearing ability, overall physical health, and the absence of serious diseases or deformities. UPSC CAPF Medical Standards 2026 is given below:

UPSC CAPF 2026 Visual Standards

The aspirants must fulfill the vision standards to qualify for the UPSC CAPF 2026 exam. Below are the details:

Criteria Better Eye (Corrected Vision) Worse Eye (Corrected Vision)
Distant Vision 6/6 6/12
6/9 6/9
Near Vision N6 (corrected) N9 (corrected)
Refractive error limits (including cylinder)
  • -4.00 D Myopia
  • +4.00 D Hypermetropia

In case any aspirants have undergone a LASIK surgery, then the aspirants must fall under any of the criteria given below:

  • Age: 18-35 years
  • Axial length: 21-26 mm.
  • Corneal thickness: 425 microns
  • Pre LASIK error: 6 D
  • Post-operative: stable period refractive flap
  • Interval- 6 months (post-operative period)

Other Medical Requirements:

The other medical requirements of Body parts are given in the below table:

Body Part Eligibility Criteria
Carrying Angle
  • The carrying angle should not exceed 15 degrees for male candidates.
  • For female candidates, it should not exceed 20 degrees.
Ear
  • There should be no chronic ear discharge or deafness in the candidate.
  • There should be no additional conditions (acquired or congenital) obstructing the ear channel, such as exostosis, tumor, or atresia of the meatus, and no history of recurrent earache, vertigo, or tinnitus.
Nose
  • DNS, atrophic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and tuberculous ulceration, and are not acceptable.
Neck
  • There should be no thyroid, swollen lymph nodes, or other swellings in the neck, difficulty in completely extending the neck
  • No signs of cervical vertebral or spine disease in the candidate.
Teeth
  • For proper mastication, the aspirants must have a sufficient number of healthy teeth.
  • Aspirants must not suffer from severe pyorrhea.
Venereal Disease
  • Aspirants should not have a history of venereal disease.
  • There should be no active clinical indications of VD.
Chronic Skin Disorders
  • The aspirant must be free of chronic skin diseases such as dermatitis, widespread Pityriasis Versicolor, leprosy and chronic eczema, psoriasis, SLE, and other skin conditions
General Standards
  • No stammering while speaking
  • No indication of chronic diseases like any type of arthritis, TB, high blood pressure, Bronchial Asthma, Diabetes, or heart disease.
  • No perceptible and visible glandular swelling anywhere in the body.
  • The chest should be well-formed, devoid of any abnormality like a Pigeon chest, flat chest, with rickety rosary defects.
  • Heart and lungs should be sound.
  • Limbs, feet, and hands should be fully developed and well-formed.
  • The perfect motion of all joints should be seen.
  • Should not have any old or malunited fracture of bones.
  • Should not have defects or congenital malformation.
  • Should not bear traces of previous chronic or acute disease pointing to an impaired constitution.
  • Should not have the disease of the genital urinary tract.
  • No scrotal swelling, inguinal, or any type of Hernia.
  • Both the testicles are in the scrotum and should be of normal size.
  • No knock knees, varicose veins, flat foot.
  • Good mental and bodily health
  • Should not suffer from BRADYCARDIA or TACHYCARDIA.
  • Should not suffer from Hernia, condylomas prolapse rectum, or hemorrhoids.

UPSC CAPF 2026 is a highly competitive exam that requires aspirants to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria. At all stages of UPSC CAPF exam 2026, aspirants applying for admission will be purely provisional, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements. After an aspirant qualifies for the Written and Personality Test, the eligibility criteria will be verified with reference to the original documents. Thus, aspirants going to appear for UPSC CAPF exam 2026 must check and ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility criteria before applying for the exam.

UPSC CAPF Eligibility 2026 FAQs

Ques: Can a 12th standard pass aspirant apply for UPSC CAPF exam?

Ans: No, a 12th standard pass aspirant cannot apply for UPSC CAPF exam 2026. As per the official notification of UPSC CAPF exam, any aspirants willing to fill out UPSC CAPF application form must have a graduation degree from a recognized university.

Ques: What are the age limit criteria for SC and ST categories to apply UPSC CAPF exam 2026?

Ans: To apply UPSC CAPF exam 2026, the age limit criteria for both SC and ST categories is 30 years. Aspirants will get a relaxation of up to 5 years in the upper age limit.

Ques: What is the number of attempts allowed for UPSC CAPF exam 2026?

Ans: There is no specific number of attempts to appear for UPSC CAPF exam 2026. Aspirants can appear for UPSC CAPF exam as many times as they want.

Ques: Can married people apply for UPSC CAPF exam 2026?

Ans: Yes, UPSC CAPF eligibility criteria do not mention any criteria regarding the marital status of the candidates. Thus, married aspirants can apply for UPSC CAPF exam.

Ques: Does a candidate need any prior experience to apply for UPSC CAPF exam 2026?

Ans: No, a candidate does not need any prior experience to apply for UPSC CAPF exam 2026. Candidates need to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria to apply for UPSC CAPF exam.

Ques: Can final-year candidates apply for UPSC CAPF exam 2026?

Ans: Yes, final-year candidates can apply for UPSC CAPF exam provided that they have produced the degree certificate before the interview round.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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