CAPF Preparation 2025: Study Tips for Paper I & Paper, Syllabus, Books

CAPF Preparation 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CAPF exam every year to recruit candidates for the post of Assistant Commandant (AC) in paramilitary forces such as Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). 

The CAPF exam 2025 is scheduled to be conducted on August 3, 2025. Candidates preparing for the exam must be well aware of the CAPF syllabus and important books. The syllabus is released by UPSC on its official website. Candidates can download the CAPF notification to check the detailed syllabus of the exam. 

By choosing the right books to cover the syllabus, candidates can make their exam preparation journey simple. Similar to this, candidates must select the best books for the CAPF exam that come highly recommended by experts for thorough exam preparation.

CAPF Preparation 2025

Candidates who want to ace the armed police force exam must adhere to CAPF preparation tips. The prescribed syllabus and exam format given in the exam notification must be followed when studying for the exam. Candidates should regularly solve CAPF previous years' papers to keep track of their level of preparation as they study for the exam. 

Before candidates jump on reading the preparation strategy for the exam, take a look at the table below to learn more about the CAPF Exam Pattern.

CAPF Preparation 2025: How to begin?

Candidates preparing for the CAPF 2025 exam are advised to check the official syllabus and exam pattern issued by UPSC on their official website. Check paper wise preparation tips for CAPF examination below: 

CAPF Paper I Preparation 2025

The General Ability & Intelligence paper is the first paper of the CAPF exam. All of the questions on the paper are of an objective nature. 125 questions totalling 250 marks are asked in the exam. The following are the subjects that the paper I cover:

• General Mental Ability 
• General Science 
• Current Events of National and International Importance
• Indian Polity and Economy
• History of India
• Indian and World Geography

Candidates need to adhere to the following CAPF Paper I preparation tips to score maximum in the exam:

• Study all subjects mentioned in the official notification
• Cover each topic independently and all of the topics and subtopics listed in the notification.
• Read standard books along with NCERTs to cover the syllabus
• Practice previous years’ question papers to get a grip on the most crucial concepts and approaches to solving them.
• Read newspapers daily to cover current events of national and international importance.
• Be consistent with your preparation.

CAPF Paper II Preparation 2025

General Studies, Essay & Comprehension is the CAPF Paper II. The second paper includes subjective questions divided into Part A & Part B. Essay questions in Part A of Paper II must be answered in the form of a lengthy narrative in either Hindi or English. Comprehension, precis writing, and other communications/language questions will be part of Paper II's Part B.

The preparation tips for paper II are as follows:

• Since Paper II is a subjective type, extensive writing practice is necessary.
• In order to get a hold on factual information, candidates must also read articles from newspapers and magazines. Candidates should make sure that their answers should be factual rather than opinionated.
• Make sure to adhere to the word limit as you write the article.
• Your essay should not stray from the subject and be concise.
• Instead of just writing down issues, write an article which is solution-oriented.

CAPF PET Preparation 2025

The physical efficiency test (PET) is conducted for candidates who have cleared the CAPF written exam for the post of Assistant Commandant in paramilitary forces. The purpose of the PET/PST is to determine whether the applicant satisfies the physical standards necessary to qualify for the position. The following are the CAPF PET preparation tips:

• Exercise Daily. Practice Running & Long Jump
• Maintain a balanced diet to cut on excessive fat
• Male candidates should also practice the shot put to crack the CAPF PET exam.

CAPF Preparation 2025: Interview/Personality Test

Candidates who clear the PET exam are called for the Interview/Personality test. The CAPF interview round is conducted to check the overall personality of the candidate. The interview carries 150 marks, hence it is important candidates score maximum in this stage to make sure they make it into the CAPF final merit list. Below are the suggested CAPF Interview preparation tips:

• Candidates should present themselves with pleasant body language when attending the interview.
• Read up on local, national, and international news to get ready for the interview. Must be thoroughly knowledgeable about them.
• It is preferable to politely inform the panel that you are unable to provide an answer to the question if the candidate is unable to do so. Avert providing a false response.
• Ask questions from the panel honestly if you have any doubts.

How to Prepare for the CAPF Exam Without Coaching?

Candidates must be aware that they can effectively prepare for the CAPF exam even if they choose not to register for coaching. All they need to do is ensure they go over the entire CAPF syllabus and take thorough notes. Making concise notes will enable candidates to complete their CAPF preparation at the last minute without becoming confused about what to study and what not to. For candidates who do not want to enrol in coaching centres for exam preparation, the following preparation tips are provided:

• Have a fixed schedule to study. Maintain your study plan and be consistent with it.
• Make notes while you cover the syllabus for better revision.
• Solve as much as possible as CAPF mock test papers and previous years’ papers
• Candidates can resolve their doubts through online youtube lecturers
• If you are not going to a coaching centre, make good use of the time you have saved.

CAPF Syllabus 2025

The written exam of CAPF includes two papers: Paper I (General Ability & Intelligence) and Paper II (General Studies, Essay & Comprehension). The CAPF syllabus for both Paper I & Paper II is as follows:

CAPF Paper I Syllabus

The following syllabus will be covered in Paper 1 of the CAPF:

• General Mental Ability 
• General Science 
• Current Events of National and International Importance
• Indian Polity and Economy
• History of India
• Indian and World Geography

CAPF Paper II Syllabus

CAPF Paper II is divided into two parts: Part A & Part B. The detailed syllabus is tabulated below:

CAPF Preparation 2025: Recommended Books