CAPF Constable 2026: One Exam, Five Forces — A Complete Guide
How the CAPF constable exam works across BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB — eligibility, syllabus, PET differences and how to choose your force.
In this article
One syllabus, five flags #
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) include five frontline forces — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB — each with a distinct mission. The good news: their constable exams share a common written syllabus, so a single, focused preparation can put you in any of the five.
What each force does #
| Force | Primary mission |
|---|---|
| BSF | Borders with Pakistan & Bangladesh |
| CRPF | Internal security & anti-Naxal operations |
| CISF | Industrial & airport security |
| ITBP | India-Tibet (China) border, high altitude |
| SSB | India-Nepal & India-Bhutan borders |
Eligibility #
- Age: 18–25 years (relaxations for SC/ST/OBC)
- Education: 10th or 12th pass depending on force
- Nationality: Indian
- Physical: Force-specific height, chest, weight
Written exam pattern #
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 25 |
| Numerical Aptitude | 25 | 25 |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| Hindi/English | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
PET differences to know #
- BSF, CRPF, SSB — 5 km run in 24 min (male), 1.6 km in 8.5 min (female)
- ITBP — high-altitude fitness, additional climbing test
- CISF — slightly relaxed running standards but stricter document scrutiny
How to choose your force #
- Love mountains and cold? → ITBP
- Want airport / metro postings? → CISF
- Want frontline border duty? → BSF / SSB
- Comfortable with operational deployments? → CRPF
How SCFE prepares you #
Our CAPF constable coaching covers the common written syllabus, force-specific PET differences and document verification. Many of our cadets clear the Assam Rifles rally as a parallel option.
Final word #
The CAPF constable badge is one of India's most respected uniforms. Pick the force whose mission excites you, then commit to six months of disciplined training. Reach out if you want help choosing.
