The full funnel from notification to final merit and force allocation, stage by stage
Selection through the CAPF (AC) examination is a multi-stage funnel. A candidate must clear each stage in sequence: written examination, then physical standards and efficiency, document verification, medical examination, and the interview / personality test, before being placed on the final merit list and allotted a force. Some stages are scoring (they contribute marks to merit), others are qualifying (a pass or fail gate that adds no marks). Exact dates, cut-offs, fees, and vacancy numbers change each cycle; confirm them as per the latest UPSC notification, verify on upsc.gov.in.
| Stage | What happens | What it screens | Qualifying or scoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Notification | UPSC publishes the annual notification with vacancies, eligibility, dates, and fees | Defines who may apply | Not applicable |
| 2. Online application | Candidate registers and applies on the UPSC portal, pays fee, uploads details | Eligibility and valid application | Gate (screening) |
| 3. Written examination | Paper I (objective, 250) and Paper II (descriptive, 200) on the same day | Knowledge, general ability, comprehension, and writing | Scoring (counts toward merit) |
| 4. PST / PET | Physical Standards Test (height, chest, weight) and Physical Efficiency Test (runs, jumps, throws) | Physical fitness for the officer role | Qualifying |
| 5. Document verification | Originals of age, qualification, category, and identity documents checked | Authenticity of claims made in the application | Gate (screening) |
| 6. Medical examination | Medical Standards Test against the prescribed standards | Medical fitness, vision, and disqualifying conditions | Qualifying |
| 7. Interview / Personality Test | Personality Test before a UPSC board, 150 marks | Officer-like qualities, judgement, and suitability | Scoring (counts toward merit) |
| 8. Final merit and allocation | Merit list compiled; forces allotted by merit, preference, and vacancy | Final selection and force | Outcome |
UPSC issues the CAPF (AC) notification once a year, setting out vacancies (force-wise and category-wise), eligibility, the examination schedule, and the application window. All year-sensitive specifics live here, so the notification is the authoritative reference. Verify on upsc.gov.in. For eligibility, see eligibility.
Candidates apply online through the UPSC portal within the notified window, pay the prescribed fee (with exemptions for specified categories), and submit their details. An incomplete or ineligible application is rejected at this gate. Fees and exemptions are notification-dependent, verify on upsc.gov.in.
Both papers are held on the same day. Paper I is objective with negative marking; Paper II is descriptive, with Part B in English only. Paper II is evaluated only for candidates who clear the Paper I cut-off. This stage is scoring and forms the bulk of the merit. Full detail is in exam pattern marking and the syllabus mapping is in syllabus index.
Candidates who clear the written cut-off are called for the Physical Standards Test (height, chest, and weight checks) and the Physical Efficiency Test (timed runs, long jump, high jump, shot put, and similar events). Both are qualifying: a candidate must meet the standards but earns no merit marks. Standards and relaxations are in pst pet standards.
Original documents supporting age, educational qualification, category, and identity are verified. A mismatch with the application can lead to disqualification. This is a screening gate, not a scored stage.
Qualified candidates undergo the Medical Standards Test against the standards in the notification, covering general health, vision, and a list of disqualifying conditions. It is qualifying. A candidate found unfit may, where the notification provides, seek a review medical examination within the prescribed window.
Candidates who clear the written examination and qualify in PST, PET, and the medical examination are called for the Interview / Personality Test (150 marks) before a UPSC board. It assesses officer-like qualities, judgement, leadership, and overall suitability for a uniformed command role. It is scoring and contributes to the merit. See personality test.
The final merit list is computed from Paper I (250) + Paper II (200) + Interview (150) = 600 marks, for candidates who have qualified at every gate. UPSC fixes the final cut-off, and forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) are allotted on the basis of merit, the candidate's preference, and the vacancies available in each force. See the five forces for the forces and exam pattern marking for the merit computation.