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Government jobPay Level 10Group AGazetted

Assistant Commandant (CAPF)

सहायक कमांडेंट (केंद्रीय सशस्त्र पुलिस बल)

Group A gazetted officer via the UPSC CAPF exam — commanding a company in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP or SSB.

Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) · Ministry of Home Affairs · central government

In-hand pay at joining, per month

₹92,000–₹1,02,000

Lower in small towns, higher in metros. Work out your own city below.

Exam
UPSC CAPF
Qualification
Graduate
Age limit
20–25 years
Transfers
Anywhere in India
Work hours
No fixed hours; you are responsible for the unit round the clock
Probation
2 years, including about a year at the force's training academy

Estimated in-hand / month

₹97,054

Gross ₹1,06,740 · CTC ≈ ₹14.3 lakh/yr

Level 10

Where are you posted?

Joining

Assistant Commandant (CAPF) · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.

New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.

What you will actually do

  • Commanding a company of roughly 100 personnel
  • Planning and leading border guarding, counter-insurgency or security operations
  • Looking after the training, discipline and welfare of the company
  • Administering a border outpost or camp: rations, arms and accounts
  • Liaising with local police, civil administration and other forces
  • Election and law-and-order deployments across states

A typical day

You live with your company at an outpost or camp. The day starts with physical training, then a briefing of patrol and ambush parties, inspection of the post, and an hour of paperwork on leave, pay and stores. In an operational area you go out with your men on patrols that can last days. Evenings are for roll call and listening to jawans' problems. Connectivity is poor at many posts and family usually stays elsewhere.

Stress4/5
CalmIntense
Public dealing2/5
LittleConstant
Field work5/5
DeskOutdoors

Promotion path

Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.

  1. Assistant Commandant (CAPF) (joining)

    Pay Level 10

    ₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-hand

  2. Deputy Commandant

    6–10 years, varies by force · Level 11 · via dpc

    ₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand

  3. Second-in-Command

    Further 5–8 years · Level 12 · via dpc

    ₹1,16,000–₹1,34,000 in-hand

  4. Commandant

    Typically 15–20 years of total service · Level 13 · via dpc

    ₹1,66,000–₹1,87,000 in-hand

Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.

How to get in

UPSC CAPFOnce a year

Union Public Service Commission

  1. 1.Written examination (Paper I objective, Paper II descriptive)
  2. 2.Physical standards and physical efficiency tests
  3. 3.Medical standards tests
  4. 4.Interview / personality test

Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Age 20–25. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, central government civilian employees and ex-servicemen: up to 5 years, as per the notification.

Physical standards: Men: height 165 cm, chest 81–86 cm, weight 50 kg; 100 m in 16 seconds, 800 m in 3 minutes 45 seconds, long jump 3.5 m, shot put 4.5 m. Women: height 157 cm, weight 46 kg; 100 m in 18 seconds, 800 m in 4 minutes 45 seconds, long jump 3 m.

The good

  • Direct entry as a gazetted officer with command of troops
  • Adventure and operational experience
  • Allowances in field areas add to pay

The hard parts

  • Promotion is slow compared with the IPS, and top posts are largely held by IPS officers
  • Long family separation and hard living conditions
  • Physical risk in operational areas

Postings

All-India, mainly in border areas, Jammu and Kashmir, the North-East and Left Wing Extremism districts. CISF officers serve at airports and industrial units. Static postings at training centres and headquarters come in between.

Job security with NPS (14% government contribution)Ration money, uniform and hardship or risk allowances where applicableGovernment accommodation or barracksForce canteen and medical facilities for the family

Questions people ask

What is the in-hand salary of Assistant Commandant (CAPF)?+

Assistant Commandant (CAPF) is a Pay Level 10 post with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹92,000–₹1,02,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.

What is the qualification and age limit for Assistant Commandant (CAPF)?+

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Age: 20–25 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, central government civilian employees and ex-servicemen: up to 5 years, as per the notification.

Which exam do I need to clear for Assistant Commandant (CAPF)?+

UPSC CAPF (Union Public Service Commission).

Is this the same as joining the Army?+

No. CAPFs are armed police forces under the Home Ministry, with civilian pay rules and NPS, not military service.

Compare with similar posts

Assistant Commandant vs Sub-InspectorAssistant Commandant vs IPS OfficerAssistant Commandant vs Constable

Sub-Inspector (CAPF: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB)

उप निरीक्षक (केंद्रीय सशस्त्र पुलिस बल)

Pay Level 6

Pay Level 6 post via SSC CPO — leading a platoon or section in a central armed police force on border or security duty.

₹57,000–₹67,000 in-handSSC CPO

IPS Officer (Indian Police Service)

आईपीएस अधिकारी (भारतीय पुलिस सेवा)

Pay Level 10

All India Service via the UPSC Civil Services Exam — leads district police and later state and central police organisations.

₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-handUPSC CSE

Constable (General Duty), CAPF

कांस्टेबल (जीडी)

Pay Level 3

Pay Level 3 post via SSC GD — armed guard, patrol and security duty in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles.

₹36,000–₹43,000 in-handSSC GD

Books to prepare for UPSC CAPF

  • Indian Polity

    M. Laxmikanth (McGraw Hill)

    The one polity book almost every serious aspirant uses. Dense; plan on several readings.

    See on Amazon

  • A Brief History of Modern India

    Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)

    Concise modern history in a factual, revision-friendly format.

    See on Amazon

  • India's Struggle for Independence

    Bipan Chandra

    The narrative behind the freedom movement. Longer than Spectrum; read it for understanding and for Mains.

    See on Amazon

All 8 books for UPSC Civil Services, Forest Service, CAPF and EPFO

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Sources

This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.