UPSC CAPF Pattern

There is penalty of negative marking in the UPSC CAPF AC exam for wrong answers marked by candidates in the written papers. For each wrong answer given by the candidate, one-third marks or 0.33 of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as negative marking. If a candidate marks more than one answer, that will also be treated as wrong answer and will invite negative marking.

No, the CAPF Paper 2 is not qualifying in nature. Candidates need to get into the merit list to get shortlisted for appointment based on their scores in UPSC CAPF Paper 2. The CAPF Paper 1 is qualifying. The CAPF Paper 1 is evaluated first and the evaluation of Paper 2 is done only of those candidates who manage to obtain minimum qualifying marks in Paper 1. Candidates need to obtain the CAPF cut off marks to get shortlisted for next round, PET/ PST. 

Yes, the Paper 1 of the UPSC CAPF written exam is qualifying in nature. The UPSC CAPF Paper 1 is evaluated first. The CAPF Paper 2 will be evaluated of those candidates who are able to clear the Paper 1 by obtaining the CAPF qualifying marks. Candidates need to obtain the minimum qualifying marks in each paper separately. The UPSC prepares the final merit list of the CAPF exam based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the Written Examination and Interview/Personality Test.

The UPSC CAPF exam comprises two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. The UPSC CAPF Paper 1 is General and Mental Ability and Paper 2 is General Studies, Essay and Comprehension. The Paper 1 is objective in nature comprising multiple-choice questions (MCQs). However, Paper 2 is descriptive in nature. Both the papers are conducted offline in pen and paper mode.

The UPSC CAPF paper pattern for written exam is as follows:

The Union Public Service Commission mentions the UPSC CAPF shift timing in the UPSC CAPF admit card. The UPSC CAPF written exam will be held in two shifts on August 3, 2025:

Paper 1: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Paper 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

The Union Public Service Commission mention all the details of the exam in the official notification. The exam duration is a part of exam pattern. The candidates should note that there are two offline papers in the UPSC CAPF (written) exam.  The duration of these two papers are as follows:
Paper 1: 2 hours.
Paper 2: 3 hours.
Therefore, the total duration of the UPSC CAPF examination is 5 hours, with Paper 1 held in the morning shift from 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon and Paper 2 held in the afternoon shift from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

The UPSC CAPF exam is conducted in an offline mode, as a written test in pen and paper format. It is not an online exam.
The UPSC CAPF 2024 exam will be held on August 4, 2024 at various exam centers across India. The candidates will be permitted to carry the question paper with them after the exam.

Candidates must appear for the written test in the offline mode to be eligible for further stages of the selection process.