The UPSC CAPF exam was held on 19th July, 2026, for a total of 349 vacancies. The cut-off is expected to be released by September 2026. A cut-off signifies the minimum marks that an aspirant requires to qualify for the next round of the recruitment process.
The following blog provides previous year cut off trends (2020-2024) and analysis, both paper-wise and category-wise, designed and curated by Disha Publication experts.
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What Cut-Off Should You Expect for UPSC CAPF 2026?
According to Disha Experts, the category-wise cut-off for UPSC CAPF 2026 is as follows:
| Category | Paper I (250) | Written (Paper I + II) (450) | Final (Written + Interview) (600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 120–125 | 200–210 | 320–330 |
| OBC | 118–123 | 198–208 | 315–325 |
| EWS | 112–118 | 193–203 | 305–320 |
| SC | 100–108 | 182–192 | 290–305 |
| ST | 95–105 | 178–188 | 285–300 |
Past-Five Year UPSC CAPF Exam Cut-Off (2020-2024)
UPSC CAPF 2024 Cut-Off:
UPSC CAPF 2024 category-wise cut-off is given below:
| Category | Paper I (250) | Written (450) | Final (600) (Written + Interview) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 97.44 | 182 | 311 |
| EWS | 85.34 | 167 | 292 |
| OBC | 97.44 | 182 | 308 |
| SC | 84.68 | 164 | 283 |
| ST | 86.03 | 168 | 286 |
UPSC CAPF 2023 Cut-Off:
UPSC CAPF 2023 category-wise cut-off is given below:
| Category | Paper I (Out of 250) | Written (Paper I + II) (Out of 450) | Final (Out of 600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 118.85 | 196* | 325 |
| EWS | 109.28 | 189* | 311 |
| OBC | 118.85 | 196* | 321 |
| SC | 109.28 | 186* | 307 |
| ST | 103.83 | 176* | 301 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 26.64 | 64# | 159 |
UPSC CAPF 2022 Cut-Off:
UPSC CAPF 2022 cut-off is as follows:
| Category | Paper I (Out of 250) | Written (Paper I + II) (Out of 450) | Final (Out of 600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 135.08 | 221* | 345 |
| EWS | 135.08 | 221* | 329 |
| OBC | 135.08 | 221* | 344 |
| SC | 120.30 | 203* | 313 |
| ST | 112.90 | 196* | 314 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 25.54 | 57# | 139 |
UPSC CAPF 2021 Cut-Off:
UPSC CAPF 2021 cut off is as follows:
| Category | Paper I (Out of 250) | Written (Paper I + II) (Out of 450) | Final (Out of 600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 138.00 | 226* | 345 |
| EWS | 138.00 | 226* | 326 |
| OBC | 138.00 | 226* | 339 |
| SC | 124.00 | 210* | 313 |
| ST | 124.00 | 210* | 318 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 25.34 | 60# | 197 |
UPSC CAPF 2020 Cut-Off:
| Category | Paper I (Out of 250) | Written (Paper I + II) (Out of 450) | Final (Out of 600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 117.34 | 201* | 317 |
| EWS | 109.43 | 194* | 290 |
| OBC | 117.34 | 201* | 316 |
| SC | 105.45 | 185* | 295 |
| ST | 104.66 | 181* | 293 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 26.29 | 63# | 161 |
UPSC CAPF Trend Analysis
The UPSC CAPF trend analysis shows that the cutoff in paper I for general category in the year 2020 was lower than in 2021.
We see a gradual upward rise in the cutoff trend for general category in the subsequent years till 2023, when the cutoff dropped to 311. This can be attributed to rising difficulty level of the UPSC CAPF paper.
For other social categories, the cut off increased from 2020 to 2021, then rose steadily till 2023, and dropped in 2024, with the cut-off of SC being lower among the rest of the social categories.
Going by recent past five year trends, Disha Publication experts assume that the cut-off for UPSC CAPF 2026 will be moderate, in the range of 320 and 330.
How Can You Check UPSC CAPF 2026 Cut-Off?
• Go to the UPSC website: Visit www.upsc.gov.in.
• Click on the "Examinations" tab: Navigate to the examination section.
• Find and click on "Cut Off marks": Access the archive/current cut-off list.
• Look for the link: Click "CAPF Exam Cut off" for the respective year.
• Open the PDF: Check the cut-off marks for your social category.
Factors That Affect UPSC CAPF Cut-Offs
Following factors generally affect cut-off marks:
• Number of vacancies: Vacancies are inversely proportional to the cut off marks. If there are more seats, cut off will be lower. If the seats are fewer, cut off will be higher.
• Difficulty level of exam: If the paper is tough, then the cut off will be low. On the other hand, an easy paper will invariably increase the cut off marks.
• Number of candidates: The number of candidates affects the cut-offs significantly. More the number of candidates, the higher the competition.
• Overall performance of candidates: The overall performance of candidates affects the cut offs significantly. If candidates score well, then the cut-off shoots up.
• Reservation policy: A candidate’s social category also determines the cut-off. UPSC releases separate cut offs for different categories like SC, ST, EWS, etc. Reserved categories generally have lesser cut-offs than general categories.
• Changes in exam pattern or syllabus: A revised or updated syllabus and exam pattern can significantly impact the cut off of the exam.
• Candidate preparation level: Better coaching resources and materials and candidate’s preparation strategy can significantly affect the UPSC cut off.
Conclusion
Understanding previous year cut offs is crucial for knowing what cut off might be expected for the UPSC CAPF 2026 exam. Analyzing previous year cut-off trends helps in figuring out what the expectations for the current UPSC CAPF exam are. For those who are confident about making it to the next round, a consistent revision strategy coupled with intensive practice is key to achieving success in the UPSC CAPF 2026 exam.
Step up your UPSC CAPF preparation with the topper's recommended UPSC CAPF Preparation materials only by Disha Publication.
Related Reading for UPSC Aspirants:
Why Is NCERT Important For UPSC Exam Preparation ?
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