UPSC Eligibility 2025: IAS Age Limit, Qualification & Attempts!

UPSC Age Limit 2025

The minimum age limit for UPSC candidates is 21 years. The maximum age limit for General Category should not be more than the age of 32 years. The UPSC Civil Services upper age limit is however released by a few years for reserved category applicants.

It is important for the aspirants to be aware of the above-mentioned IAS Age Limit before planning to appear for the IAS exam.

Check out: UPSC Syllabus here.

UPSC Civil Services Age Relaxations

The age limit of candidates will be relaxable as per their categories which are mentioned below in the table.

UPSC Attempt Limit: Number Of Attempts For UPSC

Candidates of different categories will be able to appear for the UPSC IAS Exam up to a certain number which is mentioned below in the article.

• General Category: 6 attempts till 32 years of age.
• OBC: 9 attempts till 35 years of age.
• SC/ST: unlimited attempts till 37 years of age.
• Physically Handicapped /disabled candidates belonging to the General category will get the benefit of 9 attempts till the age prescribed by UPSC - 42 years.

Check out the detailed UPSC Exam Syllabus here.

UPSC Civil Services Educational Qualification

Candidates willing to appear for the UPSC IAS Exam, candidates must possess the minimum educational qualification. Check below to know about the minimum educational qualification required.

• The minimum qualification for the UPSC exam is that the candidate must have a Bachelor's degree from a Government recognized University or possess an equivalent qualification.
• Candidates who are awaiting results or are in their final year are also eligible to appear for UPSC Prelims Examination. All such candidates who are qualified to appear for UPSC exams must make sure to produce confirmation of having passed the said examination along with the application for the main IAS examination.
• Candidates having technical and professional qualifications recognized by the Government as equal to professional and technical degrees.
• Medical students who have passed the final year of MBBS, but are still to complete their internship are also qualified for the UPSC exam. Although, along with the Main Examination application, a certificate of course fulfilment of educational qualifications as well as the degree from the concerned authority of the University/Institution has to be submitted.

UPSC Civil Services Nationality

Candidates applying for the UPSC IAS Exam must necessarily be Indian. The candidates will have to satisfy other requirements as well in order to be eligible for the UPSC IAS exam. Read below to know in detail about the nationality of the candidates.

• The candidate must be a citizen of India or
• Citizen of Nepal 
• A subject of Bhutan
• The candidate must have been a Tibetan Refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to be settled forever in India 
• The candidate must be a person of Indian Origin who has migrated from the given countries- Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zaire, or Zambia with an intention of permanently settling in India

UPSC Civil Services​ Physical Eligibility

The UPSC Physical Eligibility criteria is applicable for candidates applying for All India Services. Such candidates will need to appear and clear a physical test which will be conducted by the examination conducting body as per rules and regulations decided by the Government of India. Clearing the Physical Standard Test is mandatory for the efficient discharge of duties and services. 

• The Physical Standard test consists of both Physical and Mental Tests so candidates need to be physically and mentally fit to join any post of All India Services. 
• The Physical Test is applicable for those candidates applying for IPS officers for districts or Indian Railway services and the police services of Pondicherry, among others.
• These physical standards are determined according to the guidelines provided in Appendix-III of the Rules for Examination published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated February 02, 2023.
• Candidates who will not satisfy the requirements for the Physical Standard Test decided by the exam conducting body will not be appointed for any post of All India Services.

List of Hospitals Conducting Medical Test for UPSC

Candidates irrespective of gender need to take part in the medical test which will be conducted by the following hospitals in Delhi. 

1. Safdarjung Hospital
2. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
3. Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital
4. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital
5. Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
6. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
7. BR Ambedkar Hospital

The Medical Test for candidates belonging to the Physical Disability category will be conducted by the following hospitals in Delhi.

1. Safdarjung Hospital
2. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
3. LHMC
4. Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
5. Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital

Candidates who may require Appellate Specialized Medical Board for their eye conditions will be referred to the Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi for their medical examination.

Educational Qualifications for the IAS Exam: Applicants are required to possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.

Age Requirements for the UPSC Civil Services Exam: Applicants should be at least 21 years old but not exceed 32 years.

Categorial Age Relaxations and Attempt Limits for the UPSC CSE:

• General Category & EWS: Up to 32 years; limited to 6 attempts.
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Up to 35 years (32+3); allowed 9 attempts.
• SC/ST Categories: Up to 37 years (32+5); permitted unlimited attempts.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: Up to 42 years (32+10); General/OBC/EWS candidates are limited to 9 attempts while SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts.
• Domiciles of Jammu & Kashmir: Up to 37 years or 40 years (32+5, plus 3 if OBC or 5 if SC/ST); The number of attempts varies according to the reservation category.
• Disabled and Discharged Defence Service Personnel: Age is extended to 35 years for General/OBC (32+3) and 37 years for SC/ST candidates (32+3/5 years).
• Ex-Servicemen Commissioned Officers: Allowed up to 37 (for General) or up to 40 years (for OBC) or 42 years (for SC/ST) (32+5, plus 3 if OBC or 5 if SC/ST).

We hope that you got an adequate idea about the eligibility criteria which you will have to keep in mind while preparing for the UPSC IAS exam. You can post your doubts in the comments section. Keeping this in mind, candidates should prepare well and make sure to score well. You can also read more of our articles on the UPSC IAS Exam.

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