BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026 – 1167 Posts for Serving CAPF Personnel
The Directorate General Border Security Force (BSF) has released the notification for the selection of Sub-Inspector (GD) in the Central Armed Police Forces through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for the vacancy year 2026. The notification, Notice No. A.2/SI (LDCE)/CAPFs Exam-2026/Pers(Rectt)/BSF/2026/7179-98, is dated 10 November 2026. A total of 1,167 Sub-Inspector (GD) posts will be filled across four forces — BSF, CRPF, SSB and ITBP.
This is important to understand clearly: this is a departmental examination, not an open recruitment. Only serving personnel of these forces who meet the service, education and medical conditions can apply. A civilian candidate, or a person who has never served in a CAPF, cannot apply for this examination. Online applications will open on 12 November 2026 and the last date to apply is 31 December 2026.
| Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Directorate General Border Security Force (BSF), Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Examination | Selection to the Post of Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs Exam-2026 through LDCE |
| Post Name | Sub-Inspector (GD) – Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted |
| Total Vacancies | 1,167 posts |
| Forces covered | BSF – 235, CRPF – 377, SSB – 125, ITBP – 430 |
| Who can apply | Serving CAPF personnel only (Constables, Head Constables and ASIs as per the notification) |
| Notification No. | A.2/SI (LDCE)/CAPFs Exam-2026/Pers(Rectt)/BSF/2026/7179-98 |
| Notification Date | 10 November 2026 |
| Apply Mode | Online only |
| Apply Start Date | 12 November 2026 (00:01 hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 December 2026 (till 23:59 hrs) |
| Official Website | https://bsf.mha.gov.in/ |
The BSF is the nodal force for this examination, which means the whole process — from online applications to the final merit list — is conducted through the BSF recruitment portal. The written examination will be a computer-based test, and candidates who clear it will go through physical tests, document verification and a medical examination. The selected candidates will be promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspector (GD) in their respective force.
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Who Can Apply for BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026
LDCE stands for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. It is a promotion examination held only for people who are already serving in the force. The general public cannot apply for it, and there is no direct entry through this notification.
The eligible cadres are serving Constables (GD), Constables (Tradesmen), Head Constables (GD) and Assistant Sub-Inspectors (GD) of BSF, CRPF and ITBP, and ASI (GD) of SSB. Personnel who are on deputation or attachment can also apply, through their parent unit. Every applicant must have completed at least four years of regular service, including basic training, as on the closing date, 31 December 2026.
Along with service, the applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, must have a clean and unblemished service record with at least “Good” APAR grading for the last five years (four years, if only four years of service have been completed), and must be in medical category SHAPE-I. Personnel in Low Medical Category cannot apply. A candidate is allowed a maximum of three attempts in this examination in his or her entire career.
BSF LDCE SI Vacancy Details 2026
The 1,167 vacancies are divided force-wise as given below. The category-wise figures are for the force as a whole, men and women combined.
| Force | UR | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSF | 182 | 35 | 18 | 235 |
| CRPF | 292 | 57 | 28 | 377 |
| SSB | 97 | 19 | 9 | 125 |
| ITBP | 342 | 56 | 32 | 430 |
| Total | 913 | 167 | 87 | 1,167 |
Important: The number of vacancies can increase or decrease for administrative reasons. The final force-wise and category-wise position will be as given in the official notification on the BSF website.
Salary
Selected candidates will be appointed as Sub-Inspector (GD) in Pay Matrix Level-6 under the 7th Central Pay Commission, with a pay scale of Rs 35,400 – Rs 1,12,400 per month. They will also get allowances as admissible to Central Government personnel, such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance or government accommodation, ration money and medical facilities.
Age Limit
The maximum age limit is 32 years as on the closing date of application, 31 December 2026. SC and ST candidates get a relaxation of 5 years, so their upper age limit is 37 years. There is no minimum age given separately, because the four years of regular service condition itself sets the lower limit in practice. The cut-off date for both age and service is 31 December 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Issued | 10 November 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 12 November 2026 (00:01 hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 December 2026 (till 23:59 hrs) |
| Cut-off Date for Age and Service | 31 December 2026 |
| Computer Based Test (CBT) Date | To be notified on the BSF website |
| Objection Window on CBT Answer Keys | 2 to 3 days after the CBT |
The date of the computer-based test has not been announced yet. Candidates should keep checking the BSF website for the exam date and admit card update.
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Eligibility for BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026
The eligibility conditions are strict, because this is a promotion examination. A candidate must satisfy every condition below on the closing date.
- Service: At least four years of continuous regular service, including basic training, as on 31 December 2026.
- Education: A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification.
- Service record: An unblemished clean record of service, with a minimum “Good” APAR grading for the last five years (or four years, if only four years of service have been completed), and no adverse entries until the offer of appointment is issued.
- Medical category: SHAPE-I only. Applications from personnel in Low Medical Category will not be accepted.
- Attempts: A maximum of three attempts in the entire career for the SI LDCE examination.
Selection Process
The selection will be carried out in the following stages.
- Stage-I: Written Examination (CBT Mode) – A single objective computer-based test of 200 marks.
- Stage-II: Physical Standards Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) – Measurement of height and chest, and physical events such as running, jumps and shot put. The PET is qualifying in nature and carries no marks.
- Stage-III: Document Verification – Checking of original graduation certificates, APARs, service records and the NOC from the parent formation.
- Stage-IV: Detailed Medical Examination (DME) – A medical examination as per the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines. A review medical examination will be held for candidates who need it.
- Final Merit List – A force-wise final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks scored in the CBT.
There is no TA/DA for attending the examination, and the period is treated as leave. If two candidates score the same marks in the CBT, the older candidate is placed higher, and if the date of birth is also the same, the alphabetical order of the first name is used.
BSF LDCE SI Exam Pattern 2026
The computer-based test is a single paper of 200 marks, to be completed in 3 hours 30 minutes. It has four parts of 50 marks each.
| Part | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 50 |
| 2 | Comprehension and Communication Skill | 50 |
| 3 | Numerical Ability | 50 |
| 4 | General Awareness and Professional Knowledge | 50 |
| Total | 200 |
To qualify in the written examination, a general candidate must score at least 45% marks in each part and 50% in aggregate. For SC and ST candidates there is a relaxation of 5% marks — 40% in each part and 45% in aggregate. Calculators and electronic gadgets are not allowed in the examination hall. An objection link for the answer keys will be given on the BSF website for 2 to 3 days after the CBT. There is no re-evaluation or rechecking of scores.
Physical Standards and Physical Efficiency Test
Candidates who qualify in the written examination will be called for the physical tests. The physical standards differ by category and domicile.
| Category / Domicile | Male Height | Male Chest (Unexpanded / Expanded) | Female Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved / SC | 170 cm | 80 cm / 85 cm (minimum 5 cm expansion) | 157 cm |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Gorkhas, Dogras, Marathas, and candidates of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh | 165 cm | 80 cm / 85 cm (minimum 5 cm expansion) | 155 cm |
| All candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 162.5 cm | 77 cm / 82 cm (minimum 5 cm expansion) | 154 cm |
| Candidates belonging to ST of North Eastern Region | 157 cm | 77 cm / 82 cm (minimum 5 cm expansion) | 154 cm |
Weight must be proportionate to height and age as per medical standards, and it is assessed during the medical examination.
The Physical Efficiency Test events are as follows.
| Event | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Metres Sprint | In 16 seconds | In 18 seconds |
| Long Distance Race | 1.6 km in 6 minutes 30 seconds | 800 metres in 4 minutes |
| Long Jump | 12 feet (in 3 chances) | 9 feet (in 3 chances) |
| High Jump | 3.9 feet (in 3 chances) | 3 feet (in 3 chances) |
| Shot Put (16 lbs) | 14.8 feet (in 3 chances) | Not applicable |
The PET is only qualifying. Failing in even one event leads to disqualification, and there is no appeal at the PET stage.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted online only, through the BSF recruitment portal. No other mode of application will be accepted, and no hard copy of the form needs to be sent to BSF headquarters.
- Visit the official BSF recruitment website at https://bsf.mha.gov.in/.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) with your name, an active mobile number and an email ID. Your Registration ID and password will be sent to your mobile number and email.
- Log in and open the advertisement “Selection to the Post of Sub-Inspector in CAPFs Examination-2026 through LDCE” and click on Apply.
- Fill in your service and personal details — your force (BSF, CRPF, SSB or ITBP), regimental number, rank, present unit or headquarters, date of enrolment, category and attempt number (1st, 2nd or 3rd).
- Upload the required documents — a recent passport-size colour photograph without cap or spectacles (30 KB to 100 KB), a scanned signature (20 KB to 50 KB), a thumb impression (up to 50 KB), and a single PDF (30 KB to 100 KB) of the Service-cum-Eligibility Certificate (Annexure-III) signed by the Head of Office, along with the Undertaking (Annexure-IV) and the No Objection Certificate (Annexure-V).
- Pay the fee online, if applicable, and submit the form before 31 December 2026 (23:59 hrs).
- Keep a printout of the submitted application form with the system-generated application number for your own record.
No change of examination centre will be considered after submission, and no correction is allowed after the final submission. So the form should be checked carefully before submitting it.
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Documents Required
- Printout of the submitted online application form.
- Service-cum-Eligibility Certificate (Annexure-III) issued by the Head of Office.
- Undertaking (Annexure-IV) countersigned by a Gazetted Officer.
- No Objection Certificate (Annexure-V) issued by the Appointing Authority.
- APAR grading sheets for the last five years.
- Graduation degree certificate and mark sheets.
- Class 10th (Matriculation) certificate as proof of date of birth.
- Caste certificate (SC/ST) in Central Government format, if applicable.
- Medical category certificate confirming SHAPE-I status.
- Identity card issued by the parent force.
These certificates should be collected from the battalion or headquarters through the proper channel well before the last date, because the Service-cum-Eligibility Certificate, the Undertaking and the NOC all need signatures from the competent authorities.
Application Fee
The notification provides for the fee to be paid online through net banking, debit card, credit card or the nearest Common Service Centre, and candidates who are exempted from the fee do not need to pay. The exact fee amount and the categories exempted from it should be checked in the official notification on the BSF website before paying, because no fee figure has been confirmed from the official source at the time of writing this article.
Important Links
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026?
The last date to apply online is 31 December 2026, till 11:59 PM. Online applications open on 12 November 2026. Candidates should not wait for the last day, because the certificates needed with the form take time to arrange.
How many vacancies are there in BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026?
There are 1,167 vacancies in total — 235 in BSF, 377 in CRPF, 125 in SSB and 430 in ITBP. The vacancies can increase or decrease for administrative reasons.
Can a civilian apply for BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026?
No. This is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, open only to serving personnel of BSF, CRPF, ITBP and SSB who have completed four years of regular service and hold a Bachelor’s degree. A person who has never served in a CAPF cannot apply.
Who is eligible for the BSF SI LDCE exam?
Serving Constables (GD), Constables (Tradesmen), Head Constables (GD) and Assistant Sub-Inspectors (GD) of BSF, CRPF and ITBP, and ASI (GD) of SSB, with at least four years of regular service including basic training, a Bachelor’s degree, a clean service record with “Good” APAR grading, and SHAPE-I medical category.
What is the age limit for BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026?
The maximum age is 32 years as on 31 December 2026. SC and ST candidates get a relaxation of 5 years, so their upper age limit is 37 years.
What is the salary of a Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs?
The post carries Pay Matrix Level-6 under the 7th Central Pay Commission, with a pay scale of Rs 35,400 – Rs 1,12,400 per month, plus allowances as admissible.
What is the selection process for BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026?
The selection has four stages — a computer-based written examination of 200 marks, physical standards and physical efficiency tests, document verification, and a detailed medical examination. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks in the written examination.
What is the exam pattern of the BSF SI LDCE CBT?
There is a single paper of 200 marks in 3 hours 30 minutes, with four parts of 50 marks each — General Intelligence and Reasoning, Comprehension and Communication Skill, Numerical Ability, and General Awareness and Professional Knowledge. A general candidate must score 45% in each part and 50% in aggregate to qualify.
How many attempts are allowed in the BSF SI LDCE exam?
A candidate is allowed a maximum of three attempts in the entire career.
Where can I apply for BSF LDCE SI Recruitment 2026?
Applications are accepted online only, on the BSF recruitment portal at https://bsf.mha.gov.in/. The official notification should also be read on the same website before applying.