IAS/ UPSC Eligibility

The UPSC Exam notification first and foremost requires you to check your eligibility to give this examination. Eligibility of age, education, nationality, number of attempts and physical and medical fitness need to be checked.

For general category students, they can give 6 attempts anytime between the age of 21 to 32 years. Students from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities can give the exam as many times as they want between the age of 21 to 37 years. Students from Other Backward Classes can give the exam between the age of 21-35 years and 9 times. Persons with Benchmark Disabilties can give the exam 9 times between the age of 21 to 42 years.

There are also age limit relaxations for Disabled Defence Personnel who can give the exam from 21 to 35 years and Ex-Servicemen who can give the exam from 21 to 37 years. Both these categories can give the exam 6 times. More details for who exactly qualifies for these categories are given in the UPSC Examination Notification which comes out in January every year.

Your age will be calculated form the date of birth in your Class 10th Certificate/Matriculation Certificate or equivalent certificate. Your attempt is counted when you appear for one of the Prelims Examination. If you fill the form, but do not appear for the exam then the attempt is not counted.

The candidate should be a graduate from any University recognised by the Government. Candidates who have appeared in the final year examination of their graduation and awaiting result can appear in Preliminary Examination for IAS/ UPSC Examination.