UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026: Latest Status and Updates
The UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026 is available unofficially for Paper 1 of the examination held on 19 July 2026. Subject experts and examination-preparation platforms have prepared provisional solutions to help candidates check their responses.
Candidates can use these solutions to count their correct and incorrect answers and calculate an estimated Paper 1 score. However, the Union Public Service Commission has not yet published the official CAPF AC 2026 answer key.
The UPSC answer-key page currently displays no new answer-key data. Therefore, candidates must treat the available Paper 1 solutions as unofficial and provisional.
Important update:
The unofficial answer key can help you estimate your marks. However, UPSC’s authenticated answer key and evaluation process will determine the final answers and score.
UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026: Latest Update
Exam-preparation platforms have released unofficial solutions for Paper 1: General Ability and Intelligence. Paper 1 contains objective-type questions, which makes it possible to prepare a set-wise answer key soon after the examination.
Before checking the answers, candidates should confirm the series printed on their test booklet. UPSC uses booklet-series codes such as A, B, C and D, and the question order may vary between series.
The official UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026 was not listed on the Commission’s answer-key page at the time of this update. Therefore, candidates should avoid confusing a coaching institute’s solution with the official UPSC key.
UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Examination name | Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination 2026 |
| Post name | Assistant Commandant, Group A |
| Examination date | 19 July 2026 |
| Total vacancies | 349 tentative vacancies |
| Participating forces | BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB |
| Answer key covered | Paper 1 |
| Paper 1 subject | General Ability and Intelligence |
| Paper 1 marks | 250 |
| Paper 2 marks | 200 |
| Unofficial answer key | Available through examination experts |
| Official answer key | Not released |
| Official portal | UPSC website |
UPSC issued the CAPF AC notification on 20 February 2026 and scheduled the one-day written examination for 19 July 2026.
CAPF AC Answer Key 2026 Download Status
Candidates should check the current status before looking for a PDF.
| Answer-key type | Status |
|---|
| Unofficial Paper 1 solutions | Available on selected examination platforms |
| Set-wise unofficial answers | Check the booklet series carefully |
| Official UPSC Paper 1 key | Not released |
| Official answer-key PDF | Not available yet |
| Paper 2 MCQ answer key | Not applicable |
Paper 2 is descriptive. Therefore, candidates cannot check it through a standard multiple-choice answer key. UPSC will publish official information through its examination portal according to its prescribed process.
How to Check the Unofficial CAPF Answer Key
- Open a reliable CAPF AC answer-key page.
- Confirm that it covers the examination held on 19 July 2026.
- Select Paper 1: General Ability and Intelligence.
- Check the series printed on your question booklet.
- Open the answer key for the matching series.
- Compare every attempted answer carefully.
- Count the correct and incorrect responses separately.
- Apply the negative-marking rule.
- Calculate your expected Paper 1 score.
If experts disagree on a question, mark it separately and review it again after more reliable solutions become available.
How to Check the Official UPSC CAPF Answer Key
Once UPSC publishes the official answer key, candidates can generally follow these steps:
- Visit the UPSC official portal.
- Open the Examinations section.
- Select Answer Keys.
- Find the Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination 2026.
- Open the Paper 1 answer-key document.
- Select the relevant booklet series.
- Download and save the PDF.
- Compare the official answers with your responses.
Always verify the examination name, year, paper and booklet series before using an answer-key PDF.
UPSC CAPF Paper 1 Exam Pattern
Paper 1 assesses candidates through objective questions on General Ability and Intelligence.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Paper | Paper 1 |
| Subject | General Ability and Intelligence |
| Question type | Objective multiple-choice questions |
| Maximum marks | 250 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Examination timing | 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon |
| Language | Hindi and English |
| Negative marking | One-third of the question’s marks |
| Unanswered questions | No penalty |
UPSC’s official notification confirms that Paper 1 carried 250 marks and was held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. It also confirms that the questions appeared in Hindi and English.
Subjects Covered in Paper 1
The official syllabus broadly covers:
- General mental ability
- General science
- Current events of national and international importance
- Indian polity and economy
- History of India
- Indian and world geography
Therefore, Paper 1 tests reasoning, numerical ability, scientific awareness, current affairs and general knowledge.
UPSC CAPF Paper 2 Exam Pattern
Paper 2 is titled General Studies, Essay and Comprehension.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Paper | Paper 2 |
| Question type | Descriptive |
| Maximum marks | 200 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Examination timing | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
| Part A | Essay—80 marks |
| Part B | Comprehension and language skills—120 marks |
| Essay medium | Hindi or English |
| Comprehension medium | English only |
Candidates can write the essay section in either Hindi or English. However, they must attempt comprehension, précis writing and other communication or language components in English.
Since Paper 2 is descriptive, a standard set-wise answer key does not apply to it.
UPSC CAPF Negative Marking 2026
UPSC applies negative marking in the objective Paper 1 examination.
For every incorrect answer, UPSC deducts one-third of the marks assigned to that question. Moreover, the Commission treats multiple marked options as an incorrect response, even when one of the selected options is correct.
However, UPSC does not deduct marks when a candidate leaves a question unanswered.
Important Marking Rules
| Response | Marking rule |
|---|
| Correct answer | Full marks assigned to the question |
| Incorrect answer | One-third mark deduction |
| More than one option selected | Treated as incorrect |
| Unanswered question | No deduction |
Candidates should use the exact marks assigned to each question while calculating their score.
How to Calculate the CAPF Paper 1 Score
Use the following formula:
Estimated score = Marks from correct answers − Negative marks for incorrect answers
Based on the commonly reported Paper 1 structure of 125 questions carrying 250 marks, each correct answer carries 2 marks. Therefore, the approximate formula is:
Estimated score = (Correct answers × 2) − (Incorrect answers × 2/3)
The 125-question structure and 2-mark calculation have been reported by examination-preparation sources covering the 2026 paper.
Score-Calculation Example
Suppose a candidate attempted the paper as follows:
- Correct answers: 80
- Incorrect answers: 15
- Unanswered questions: 30
First, calculate the correct-answer marks:
80 × 2 = 160 marks
Next, calculate the negative marks:
15 × 2/3 = 10 marks
Finally, subtract the penalty:
160 − 10 = 150 marks
Therefore, the candidate’s estimated Paper 1 score would be:
150 marks
This score remains provisional because unofficial solutions may contain differences or errors.
CAPF Paper 1 Score Calculator
Use this simple table to estimate your marks:
| Response type | Your count | Calculation |
|---|
| Correct answers | Enter total | Correct answers × 2 |
| Incorrect answers | Enter total | Incorrect answers × 2/3 |
| Unanswered questions | Enter total | No deduction |
Now calculate:
Total marks from correct answers − Total negative marks = Expected Paper 1 score
For better accuracy, use the fraction 2/3 while calculating. Round the final result only after completing the full calculation.
Why Should Candidates Check the Answer Key?
The unofficial UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026 can help candidates:
- Compare their attempted responses.
- Count correct and incorrect answers.
- Estimate their Paper 1 score.
- Identify doubtful questions.
- Review their overall performance.
- Compare solutions from different experts.
- Plan preparation for the next selection stage.
In addition, an early score estimate can help candidates decide whether to begin focused preparation for the physical tests.
Nevertheless, candidates should not treat the estimated marks as their official score.
Official vs Unofficial CAPF Answer Key
| Unofficial answer key | Official answer key |
|---|
| Prepared by subject experts or institutes | Issued by UPSC |
| Released soon after the examination | Released according to UPSC’s process |
| Helps estimate probable marks | Contains authenticated answers |
| May include errors or disputed answers | Represents the Commission’s official position |
| Answers may vary between sources | Published through the official portal |
| Cannot decide the final result | Relevant to official examination records |
Therefore, use unofficial answers for an early assessment, but rely on UPSC for the final position.
Can Candidates Raise Objections?
Candidates cannot submit an objection to UPSC against an unofficial answer key prepared by a coaching institute or examination platform.
However, UPSC provides appeared candidates with an online facility to submit representations regarding examination questions and the answer key of an objective paper.
According to the official notification, the five-day representation window starts on the third day after the examination and closes at 6:00 PM on the seventh day. Candidates must submit representations through the prescribed online portal. UPSC does not accept them through email, post or hand delivery.
Candidates who find a doubtful question should use the official process within the permitted period.
UPSC CAPF AC Vacancy Details 2026
UPSC announced 349 tentative Assistant Commandant vacancies across five forces.
| Force | Vacancies |
|---|
| Border Security Force | 108 |
| Central Reserve Police Force | 106 |
| Central Industrial Security Force | 70 |
| Sashastra Seema Bal | 53 |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police | 12 |
| Total | 349 |
The Commission may revise the vacancy count during the recruitment process.
What Happens After the Written Examination?
The CAPF AC selection process includes the following stages:
1. Written Examination
Candidates appear in Paper 1 and Paper 2. UPSC evaluates Paper 1 first. It evaluates Paper 2 only for candidates who secure the required minimum marks in Paper 1.
2. Physical Standards and Efficiency Tests
Candidates who qualify in the written examination appear for the Physical Standards Test and Physical Efficiency Test.
3. Interview or Personality Test
Candidates who clear the required physical stages become eligible for the Interview or Personality Test. The interview carries 150 marks.
4. Medical Standards Test
The designated authority checks whether candidates meet the prescribed medical standards.
5. Final Merit List
UPSC prepares the merit list using marks obtained in the written examination and Interview or Personality Test. Candidates must also satisfy the physical and medical requirements.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Keep these points in mind while checking your answers:
- Match the correct booklet series.
- Do not count unanswered questions as incorrect.
- Apply negative marking only to wrong responses.
- Review disputed questions separately.
- Compare more than one reliable unofficial solution.
- Avoid treating estimated marks as the final score.
- Follow the UPSC portal for authenticated updates.
A single booklet-series or calculation error can change the expected score. Therefore, check your totals at least twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which paper does the unofficial answer key cover?
The unofficial key mainly covers Paper 1: General Ability and Intelligence because it contains objective questions.
How many marks does CAPF Paper 1 carry?
Paper 1 carries a maximum of 250 marks.
Is there negative marking in Paper 1?
Yes. UPSC deducts one-third of the marks assigned to a question for each incorrect answer.
Are marks deducted for unanswered questions?
No. UPSC does not apply a penalty when a candidate leaves a question unanswered.
What happens when a candidate marks two options?
UPSC treats the response as incorrect, even when one selected option is correct. The prescribed negative marking also applies.
Is there an answer key for Paper 2?
Paper 2 is descriptive. Therefore, it does not have a standard MCQ-style answer key.
Can candidates challenge an unofficial key?
No. Candidates cannot challenge a coaching institute’s answer key before UPSC. However, they can submit representations concerning objective questions through UPSC’s prescribed portal during the permitted window.
Is the score calculated from the answer key final?
No. It provides only an estimate. UPSC’s authenticated answers and evaluation process will determine the actual marks.
Where will UPSC publish the official answer key?
UPSC will publish official answer-key information in the Answer Keys section of its examination portal.
Conclusion
The UPSC CAPF AC Answer Key 2026 helps candidates estimate their Paper 1 performance after the 19 July examination.
First, match the correct question-booklet series. Next, count your correct and incorrect responses. Finally, apply the one-third negative-marking rule carefully.
However, remember that unofficial solutions may change after expert review. Therefore, rely on UPSC’s authenticated answer key for the final answers.
