CBI APP Exam 2026: Everything You Need to Know from Application to Preparation Strategy

Overview: The notification for CBI APP 2026 recruitment is out!  

This blog helps you with all important details about the CBI APP exam 2026 – vacancies, application dates, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation tips.  

• UPSC announced vacancies for Assistant Public Prosecutor in CBI on 12th June 2026.  
• The application window is open! If you’re interested, fill out the application form by 3rd July (6 pm).  
• This exam is going to be highly competitive because of limited vacancies and lucrative job profile.  

Let’s give you all the details!  

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CBI APP Exam 2026 Notification Details 

UPSC announced a large recruitment cycle for various central government posts in its Advertisement No. 06/2026.  

CBI APP notification 2026 is a part of this advertisement that contains specific eligibility criteria, application, and selection process for this post.  

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	CBI APP Exam 2026
Post Name	Assistant Public Prosecutor
Conducting Body	UPSC
Notification Release Date	12th June 2026
Exam Date	To be announced
Application Window Opened	13th June 2026
Application Window Closes	3rd July 2026
Selection Process	Common Recruitment Test → Interview
Official Portal	UPSC ORA Portal

Stay updated with the official UPSC notifications for further updates.  

Download CBI APP Vacancy 2026 Notification PDF

CBI APP Exam Vacancy 2026  

In its recruitment advertisement for June 2026, UPSC has announced 5 vacancies for Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) in CBI.  

Here’s the category-wise distribution for the CBI APP Vacancy 2026:  

• 3 vacancies for General/Un-reserved candidates  
• 1 vacancy for OBC candidates  
• 1 vacancy for SC candidates  

This time, no posts are reserved for ST/PwD/EWS candidates. For any other reservation details, make sure you only refer to the official notification.  

CBI APP Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026  

Who is eligible to apply for the CBI APP exam 2026? UPSC has clearly stated this in its recruitment notification.  

Educational Qualifications  

• Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in law (LLB) from a recognized university.  
• The notification does not specify a minimum number of years of Bar practice as an essential qualification for this post.  

Age Limit  

According to the CBI APP eligibility criteria 2026, a candidate’s age should not be more than 30 years. Standard UPSC age relaxation rules apply for several categories:  

Category	Age Relaxation
SC/ST	5 years
OBC	3 years
PwBD	10 years

Nationality 

Applicant must be a citizen of India.  

CBI APP Exam Application 2026  

The CBI APP 2026 application window is already open. Interested candidates can fill out the form before 3rd July 2026 (6 pm).  

How to apply for the CBI APP exam 2026?  

Step 1: Visit the official UPSC ORA portal: https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/  

Step 2: Register as a new user (if first-time) using Mobile Number & Email ID or Log in with existing credentials.  

Step 3: Complete the Universal Registration Process (if not already done).  

Step 4: Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal, educational, and experience details.  

Step 5: Select Advertisement No. 06/2026 and choose "Assistant Public Prosecutor (CBI)" from the list of posts.  

Step 6: Upload required documents: Photograph & Signature (as per specified format/dimensions).  

Step 7: Pay the application fee of ₹25 using Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking.  

Step 8: Review all details carefully before final submission.  

Step 9: Take a printout of the submitted Online Recruitment Application for future reference.  

What are the documents required to apply for CBI APP exam 2026?  

Document	Format
Scanned Photograph	JPEG/PNG, as per UPSC ORA portal specifications
Scanned Signature	JPEG/PNG, in required dimensions
Valid Photo ID Proof	Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Passport / Voter ID / Driving License
Personal Email ID & Mobile Number	Active until recruitment process completes
Educational Certificates	LLB Degree & mark sheets (bachelor's degree in law from recognized university)
Class 10 Certificate	Not Birth Certificate (UPSC doesn't accept birth certificate as valid DOB proof)
Category Certificate (if applicable)	Valid for the year

CBI APP Selection Process 2026  

The CBI APP 2026 selection process include the following stages:  

Stage 1: Recruitment Test  

This will be a pen-and-paper, objective, MCQ-based test assessing legal knowledge across the subjects included in the CBI APP syllabus for 2026.  

Stage 2: Interview  

The interview panel evaluates candidates’ communication skills; clarity of thought, decision-making ability, and composure under pressure are also assessed.  

Stage	Name	Marks
Stage 1	Recruitment Test (RT)	300 marks
Stage 2	Interview (Personality Test)	100 marks

CBI APP Exam Pattern 2026  

UPSC has not mentioned the exact exam pattern for CBI APP in its recent notification. Candidates should stay updated for the latest notifications.  

Here’s the CBI APP exam pattern 2026 based on previous year’s process.  

Recruitment Test  

It will be an objective-type pen and paper test to shortlist candidates for the next stage of the selection process. It’s likely to assess your knowledge in law subjects and their practical application.  

Particulars	Details
Exam Mode	Offline, Pen-and-Paper
Duration	2 hours
Total Questions	120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marks per Question	2.5
Total Marks	300
Negative Marking	Applicable as per UPSC norms
All Questions	Compulsory

Interview  

The next stage is a face-to-face interview that carries 100 marks. During the interview, the panel will assess your legal knowledge, communication skills, personality traits, and attitude.  

CBI APP Syllabus 2026  

The recent notification doesn’t contain any updates on the syllabus for CBI APP Exam 2026.  

Based on the pattern followed in previous CBI APP recruitment cycles, the syllabus is built around core criminal law and allied subjects essential for prosecution work.  

While the 2026 cycle's exact syllabus document should be checked once released, the following subject areas have consistently formed the foundation:  

Core Legal Subjects  

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), covering substantive criminal law 
• Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), covering procedural criminal law 
• Indian Evidence Act and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, covering rules of evidence and proof 
• Constitutional Law covering fundamental rights, constitutional principles relevant to criminal justice  

Special and Allied Laws  

• Prevention of Corruption Act 
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and related financial crime statutes 
• Other regulatory laws connected to CBI's investigative mandate  

What is the Salary, Pay Scale & Job Profile for UPSC CBI APP 2026?  

The Assistant Public Prosecutor (CBI) post is a permanent, Group B Gazette position. The Pay scale and salary structure for this post are mentioned in the table below.  

Particulars	Details
Pay Level	Level 7 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix
Basic Pay Range	₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400 per month
Approx. In-Hand Salary	₹84,981 per month (including allowances)
Allowances	DA (Dearness Allowance), HRA (House Rent Allowance), and other central govt benefits

An Assistant Public Prosecutor in the CBI is responsible for:  

• Conducting prosecution of cases in court on behalf of the CBI 
• Maintaining court diaries to track case proceedings and schedules 
• Preparing case-related reports as required during investigation and trial stages 
• Providing comments on final investigation reports as directed by senior officers 
• Working closely with investigating officers to align legal strategy with case findings 
• Coordinating with senior prosecutors as part of CBI's prosecution wing 
• Serving at the frontline of CBI's legal proceedings, representing the agency's interests in court  

CBI APP Exam 2026 Preparation Strategy  

Here’s how to prepare for the CBI APP exam 2026.  

Step 1: Lock In the Syllabus and Exam Pattern  

Before starting preparation, read the official notification thoroughly to confirm the exact syllabus and pattern for the specific advertisement you're applying under, since details can shift slightly between recruitment cycles.  

Step 2: Prioritize Core Criminal Law  

Given the expected syllabus, prioritize:  

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 
• Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) / Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 
• Indian Evidence Act / Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam  

Step 3: Cover Special and Financial Crime Laws  

Since CBI handles corruption and financial crime cases, dedicate focused study time to the Prevention of Corruption Act and PMLA-related provisions.  

Step 4: Practice with Mock Tests  

The exam (where conducted in MCQ format) may involve negative marking and strict time limits; regular timed mock tests help build both speed and accuracy.  

Step 5: Prepare for the Interview Early  

Don't underestimate the interview stage. Strengthen your ability to discuss case law, explain procedural steps clearly, and demonstrate composure. These are explicitly assessed by the UPSC panel. 

Keep checking for official notifications to get all the remaining updates regarding the exam.