The UPSC CAPF Cut Off 2026 is one of the most important benchmarks for candidates aspiring to become Assistant Commandants (AC) in the Central Armed Police Forces. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases the cutoff only after the completion of the entire recruitment process, including the Written Examination, Physical Tests (PST/PET), Medical Examination, and Interview/Personality Test.
For the 2026 recruitment cycle, UPSC has notified 349 Assistant Commandant vacancies, and the competition is expected to remain intense. The official cutoff will be published after the declaration of the final result.
Until then, candidates can analyze previous years’ cutoffs to estimate the expected qualifying marks.
UPSC CAPF Cut Off 2026 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post | Assistant Commandant (AC) |
| Total Vacancies | 349 |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam, PST/PET, Medical Test, Interview |
| Official Cut Off Release | After Final Result |
| Cut Off Released For | Paper I, Written Stage & Final Merit |
UPSC CAPF Expected Cut Off 2026
Based on the previous five years’ trends, vacancy count, and exam difficulty analysis, the expected cutoff is as follows:
| Category | Paper I (250 Marks) | Written Stage (450 Marks) | Final Merit (600 Marks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 115–125 | 200–210 | 320–335 |
| OBC | 112–122 | 198–208 | 315–330 |
| EWS | 108–118 | 195–205 | 305–320 |
| SC | 98–108 | 185–195 | 290–305 |
| ST | 95–105 | 180–190 | 285–300 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 25–35 | 60–70 | 160–175 |
These figures are estimates derived from historical cutoff patterns and current competition levels.
UPSC CAPF Question Paper 2026
UPSC CAPF Cut Off 2026 vs Previous Year (2025, 2024 & 2023)
Final Merit Comparison
| Category | 2026 Expected | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 320–335 | 326 | 311 | 325 |
| OBC | 315–330 | 320 | 308 | 321 |
| EWS | 305–320 | 300 | 292 | 311 |
| SC | 290–305 | 297 | 283 | 307 |
| ST | 285–300 | 294 | 286 | 301 |
Paper I Cut Off Comparison
| Year | General | OBC | EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Expected) | 115–125 | 112–122 | 108–118 | 98–108 | 95–105 |
| 2025 | 117.34 | 117.34 | 110 | 101.34 | 99.34 |
| 2024 | 97.44 | 97.44 | 85.34 | 84.68 | 86.03 |
| 2023 | 118.85 | 118.85 | 109.28 | 109.28 | 103.83 |
Written Stage Comparison (Paper I + II)
| Year | General | OBC | EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Expected) | 200–210 | 198–208 | 195–205 | 185–195 | 180–190 |
| 2025 | 205 | 205 | 197 | 186 | 181 |
| 2024 | 182 | 182 | 167 | 164 | 168 |
| 2023 | 196 | 196 | 189 | 186 | 176 |
Detailed Cut Off Analysis (2023–2026)
1. Why Did the Cut Off Drop Sharply in 2024?
One of the biggest surprises in recent CAPF recruitment was the 2024 examination, where the General Paper I cutoff fell to 97.44 marks, nearly 20 marks lower than 2023.
Possible reasons include:
- Higher difficulty level in Paper I
- Better discrimination between high and average performers
- Lower average score across candidates
- Tougher General Ability section
Interestingly, although Paper I fell sharply, the Final Cut Off remained above 310 marks, indicating that descriptive paper and interview performance played a major role.
2. Why Did the Cut Off Rise Again in 2025?
The 2025 examination witnessed a return to previous trends.
General Category:
- Paper I: 117.34
- Final Merit: 326
This indicates that:
- Paper I was comparatively easier.
- Candidates scored higher overall.
- Competition increased significantly.
The cutoff almost returned to the 2023 level.
3. What Can Candidates Expect in 2026?
Considering:
- 349 vacancies
- Similar exam pattern
- Increasing competition
- Stable number of applicants
Experts expect the General category Paper I cutoff to remain around 115–125 marks.
If the paper turns out to be difficult like 2024, the cutoff may fall below 115.
If Paper I is easier than expected, it may rise beyond 125.
Last Three Years Trend Analysis
| Year | Paper I | Final Merit | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 118.85 | 325 | Moderate |
| 2024 | 97.44 | 311 | Difficult |
| 2025 | 117.34 | 326 | Moderate |
What does this indicate?
- Paper I cutoff is highly dependent on difficulty level.
- Final merit fluctuates much less than Paper I.
- Interview marks help stabilize the final cutoff.
Safe Score Analysis for UPSC CAPF 2026
Many aspirants ask:
What is a Safe Score in CAPF?
General Category
| Score | Chances |
|---|---|
| Below 100 | Low |
| 100–110 | Borderline |
| 110–120 | Good |
| 120–130 | Very Good |
| 130+ | Excellent |
OBC Category
| Score | Chances |
|---|---|
| Below 100 | Low |
| 105–115 | Good |
| 115+ | Very Safe |
SC/ST Category
| Score | Chances |
|---|---|
| Below 90 | Low |
| 95–105 | Competitive |
| 105+ | Safe |
Expected Interview Marks
Based on previous merit trends:
| Category | Expected Interview Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 95–125 |
| OBC | 90–120 |
| EWS | 90–120 |
| SC | 85–115 |
| ST | 80–110 |
A strong interview can improve the final rank by 20–30 positions.
UPSC CAPF Passing Marks
Apart from the category-wise cutoff, UPSC prescribes minimum qualifying marks.
| Paper | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper I | 25% (62.5 Marks) |
| Paper II | 15% (30 Marks) |
Candidates failing to secure these minimum marks are not evaluated further.
Factors Affecting UPSC CAPF Cut Off
Several factors determine the final cutoff every year.
1. Number of Vacancies
Higher vacancies generally lower the cutoff, while fewer vacancies increase competition.
2. Difficulty Level
The biggest factor influencing Paper I cutoff.
3. Candidate Performance
If most candidates score above average, the cutoff rises.
4. Reservation Policy
Separate cutoffs are released for General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and Ex-Servicemen.
5. Interview Performance
The final merit depends on the combined written and interview scores.
How to Score Above the CAPF Cut Off?
Candidates aiming for final selection should target:
- 120+ marks in Paper I
- 200+ marks in the written stage
- Strong essay and comprehension performance in Paper II
- Regular mock tests and previous year paper analysis
- Consistent physical preparation for PET/PST
