CAPF stands for the Central Armed Police forces. It is a national level exam organised by UPSC. The Union Public Service Commission conducts the CAPF Exam to recruit Assistant Commandants (Group A), viz. Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The examination is conducted once a year through offline mode only by the UPSC. CAPF consists of written exam for two stages as well as fulfillment of physical standard criteria and qualifying the interview.
Examination Pattern
The examination happens in three phases—a written examination, physical efficiency tests, and a personality test. It is important that you understand the CAPF Syllabus so that you can prepare for the exam. Visit BYJU’S Exam Prep for exam preparation and other information regarding the CAPF exam.
- PHASE I: Written Examination
There are two papers—Paper I and Paper-II. While the former carries 250 marks and is two hours long, the latter is worth 200 marks and three hours long. You can find the syllabus and preparation strategies on BYJU’S Exam Prep.
- PHASE II: Physical Efficiency Tests
Candidates who qualify for the written examinations are summoned for these physical efficiency/medical tests.
- PHASE III: Personality Test
This is the final interview round, where a jury panel assesses your personality.
Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence Test
Paper I is a two-hour objective type paper, carrying 250 marks. It is further divided into six parts:
- General Mental Ability (Logical Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude)
The questions in this section test your general mental ability, including numerical ability and data interpretation.
- General Sciences
This section includes physics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology, I.T., environmental sciences, etc.
- Current Events of National and International Importance
The broad area is culture, sports, music, arts, governance, etc.
- Indian Polity and Economy
This section will test your knowledge of India’s political system and scenario. The main highlight shall be the Constitution of India.
- History of India
This section will test your knowledge on areas like the growth of nationalism till the freedom movement in this section.
- Indian and World Geography
This section is self-explanatory.
Paper-II: General Studies, Essays and Comprehension
Paper-II is a three-hour subjective type paper, carrying 200 marks. It is further divided into two parts.
- PART A: Essays
You will have six options to choose from. You need to write essays on any four of the six given topics. This section carries 80 marks: 20 marks for each essay.
- PART B: Further divided into five parts
- For & Against Essays
It will have two questions: 20 marks each.
- Report Writing
Two questions again: 10 marks each.
- Precis Writing
One question: worth 15 marks.
- Subjective Comprehension
You will be given a passage to read and five questions to answer based on that. This section carries 20 marks.
- Grammar
20 questions worth 25 marks.
Marking Scheme
The marking scheme is different for the two papers.
- Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence Test
- It carries 125 questions, all objective types.
- The paper carries 250 marks in total.
- For each correct answer, you get two marks.
- You are given -0.66 marks (a one-third negative marking).
- For questions not attempted, there is no negative penalty.
- Paper-II: General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension
- It carries 34 subjective/essay type questions.
- The total marks for this paper are 200.
- Marks vary according to the type of question.
- There is no negative marking in this section.
BYJU’S Exam Prep is of great source for exam preparation for UPSC CAPF AC. It provides you with good quality of test papers and online courses. It further adds value to your preparation by providing you preparation materials such as study notes and pdf. Visit the website to know more about it.
