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UPSC Civil Services Exam: 2025-26 Age Limit, Eligibility Criteria, and Educational Qualification
Have you ever dreamt of making a real difference in India? Creating rules that affect millions of people’s lives. If so, then cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) could be your gateway to achieving that dream. This highly competitive exam opens doors to prestigious positions like IAS, IPS, and IFS, allowing you to contribute significantly to the nation’s development. Before starting this challenging and rewarding path, it’s important to understand the eligibility criteria set by the UPSC syllabus.
This blog post provides a comprehensive overview of the UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for the 2024 exam, covering aspects like age limit, educational qualifications, and number of attempts. We’ll also explore some answer frequently asked questions, and offer essential preparation tips to get you started, including information on available UPSC courses and top UPSC coaching institutes in Indore.UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2025-26
UPSC Age Limit
Imagine yourself leading a team that impacts millions of lives. That’s the kind of power a career in the civil service offers. But before you start studying, there’s an age limit to consider for the UPSC exam.
The UPSC CSE exam adheres to a specific age limit for candidates. As of August 1, 2025 (the cut-off date for the 2025 exam), the general age limit is:Category
Minimum Age Limit for UPSC
Maximum Age Limit for UPSC
General Category
21
32
EWS
21
32
SC/ST
21
37
OBC
21
35
UPSC Age Relaxation
UPSC Age Relaxation | |
Category | UPSC Age Limit- Upper Relaxation |
General | 32 |
OBC | 35 |
SC/ST | 37 |
Disabled Defence Services Personnel | 35 |
Ex-Servicemen | 37 |
EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 42 |
UPSC Qualification
- A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in India.
- A degree from a foreign university recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
- A person of Indian origin (PIO) who has moved from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or certain East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, and Vietnam to settle in India permanently.
UPSC Exam Reservation System
Category | Quota (%) |
|---|---|
General (GEN) | Unreserved |
EWS | 10% |
Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 27% |
Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% |
Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% |
UPSC Eligibility – Nationality Criteria
- Candidate must be a citizen of India
- Citizens of India
- Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1962 on a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India
- Persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia with a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India are eligible to apply.
Number of Attempts in UPSC
Number Of Attempts | |
|---|---|
Category | Number of Attempts |
General | 6 |
OBC | 9 |
SC/ST | Unlimited (Up to age limit) |
Disabled Defence Services Personnel | 9 |
Ex-Servicemen | 9 |
EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 9 |
Restrictions on Applying for the UPSC Exam
- Candidates employed under the Government of India (Central Services/State Services/Public Sector Undertakings) or a Public Corporation controlled by the Government of India must obtain permission from their department before applying.
- An individual cannot hold a State/Central Government service or a post under a local body at the time of appointment to the Civil Services.
- Candidates who are Members of Parliament or State Legislatures are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates against whom a criminal charge is pending in a court of law are not eligible to apply.
UPSC Physical Eligibility – Medical and Physical Standards
Conclusion
Understanding the UPSC CSE eligibility criteria is crucial for anyone aspiring to take the exam. This blog post has comprehensively covered the various aspects, including age limit, educational qualifications, reservation quotas, number of attempts, and some restrictions on applying.
Remember: It’s always advisable to refer to the official UPSC notification released for the specific year’s exam. The notification might contain the latest updates or any changes in the eligibility criteria. You can find the notification on the UPSC website https://upsc.gov.in/.- Develop a study plan: Create a realistic and well-structured plan that allocates time for each subject and revision.
- Choose the right resources: Utilize recommended study materials, previous years’ question papers, and mock tests.
- Focus on current affairs: Stay updated with national and international news to strengthen your knowledge and analytical skills.
- Practice answer writing: Regularly practice writing concise and well-structured answers for both objective and essay-type questions.
