UPSC Age Limit and Eligibility Criteria: The UPSC Age Limit and Eligibility Criteria are important rules you need to know before applying for the IAS exam. They tell you the age you must be and the qualifications you need to have to be eligible for the exam. The Union Public Service Commission sets these rules.
They make sure that everyone applying for the exam meets certain standards. It is important to understand these criteria so you can see if you qualify for the exam. If you don’t meet these requirements, you might not be able to apply.
UPSC Eligibility – Latest Update
The UPSC 2024 Notification was released on February 14, 2024. Here, you’ll learn all about UPSC eligibility and whether you meet the requirements to take the UPSC exam.
UPSC Eligibility Criteria Overview
Here is the overview UPSC Eligibility Criteria:
| Criteria | Requirement |
| IAS Exam Age Limit | 21 to 32 years |
| Age Relaxation | As per category (mentioned below) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation |
| Nationality | Indian citizens only |
UPSC Age Limit – Minimum and Maximum Age for IAS
Civil Services Age Limit is an essential factor in the eligibility criteria. Therefore, candidates applying for the UPSC Exam should check the age for IAS exam before filling the online application form.
UPSC Eligibility – Age Relaxation & Number of Attempts
| Category | UPSC Age Limit – Upper Relaxation | Number of Attempts |
| General | 32 | 6 |
| OBC | 35 | 9 |
| SC/ST | 37 | Unlimited (Up to age limit) |
| Disabled Defence Services Personnel | 35 | 9 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 37 | 9 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability – EWS | 42 | 9 |
These details outline the maximum age limit and the number of attempts permitted for various categories of candidates aspiring to appear for the IAS exam.
For details on the physically handicapped category, please refer to the images below:
Note:
According to IAS Eligibility for Defence Servicemen, individuals disabled during operations in hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area, and subsequently released, receive special age relaxation for Civil Services.
For ECOs/SSCOs (Emergency Commissioned Officers/Short Service Commissioned Officers) who have completed an initial period of 5 years of Military Service as of August 1, 2024, there is a five-year age relaxation.
This relaxation applies to those whose assignment has been extended beyond five years, and for whom the Ministry of Defense issues a certificate indicating their eligibility for civil employment. They will be released on three months’ notice upon selection following an offer of appointment.
UPSC Eligibility- Educational Qualification
The various academic requirements as per the IAS Eligibility Criteria are given below:
- Minimum qualification for UPSC exam: The candidate must hold a degree from a government-recognised University or possess an equivalent qualification.
- Candidates who are in their final year or awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the UPSC preliminary Examination. All such candidates who are likely to appear for IAS exams must produce proof of having passed the said examination along with the application for the main IAS examination.
- Candidates having professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government as equivalent to professional and technical degrees.
- Medical students who have passed the final year of MBBS, but are yet to complete their internship also have eligibility for IAS. Along with the Main Examination application, a certificate of course completion (including internship) from the concerned authority of the University/Institution has to be submitted.
UPSC Eligibility- Nationality
For IAS and IPS:
Candidate must be a citizen of India
- All other Services:
- Candidate must be either:-
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 intending to settle in India permanently, or
- A person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire and Vietnam intending to settle in India permanently.
Point to Note: A person belonging to categories (2), (3) and (4) are not eligible for appointment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Highlights of UPSC Eligibility Criteria for IAS Exam
Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, a person of Indian origin, or a subject of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibet settled in India before 1st January 1962.
Education Qualification: Candidate must hold a Graduate Degree from a recognised University.
UPSC Civil Services Exam Age Limit: Candidate must be a minimum of 21 years of age and must not be more than 32 years of age.
Category-wise UPSC CSE age limit, relaxation, and maximum attempts:
- General Category & EWS: 32 years; 6 attempts.
- OBC (with certificate): 32 years + 3 years; 9 attempts.
- SC/ST: 32 years + 5 years; unlimited attempts.
- Physically Disabled: 32 years + 10 years; Gen/OBC/Person with Benchmark Disability(EWS category)- 9 attempts & SC/ST unlimited attempts.
- Jammu & Kashmir Domicile: 32 years + 5 years + (3 years, if OBC OR 5 Years, if SC/ST); Number of attempts depends on the reserved category.
- Disabled and discharged Defence service personnel: 32 years + 3 years + (3 years, if Gen/OBC OR 5 years, if SC/ST)
- Ex-Servicemen Commission Officer: 32 years + 5 years + (3 years, if OBC OR 5 Years, if SC/ST)