Logo
ExamsSuperCoachingLive ClassesFREETest SeriesPrevious Year PapersSkill AcademyPassPass ProPass Elite Rank PredictorIAS PreparationPracticeGK & Current AffairsDoubtsBlog
Pass Pro Max logo

FREE

Download the Testbook App,

For FREE 7 days of
Pass Pro Max!

Exams
Tests
SuperSuper
SuperPass
logo

How Many Attempts for UPSC? Total Attempts Limit General, OBC, SC/ST Category

3162.5k+Students Enrolled
Last Updated on March 13, 2025

UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of India’s most prestigious and challenging competitive exams, with over a million aspirants every year vying for a few hundred top government positions (such as in the Indian Administrative Service or Indian Police Service). UPSC aspirants are often perplexed by the question, “How Many Attempts for UPSC?” and whether they can appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam after a particular age limit is reached. To ensure fair competition, the IAS Exam has strict limits on the number of attempts and the age of eligibility for different categories (as per the latest UPSC guidelines). The total attempt limit for UPSC is as follows – 

  • General Category: Up to 6 attempts (upper age limit 32 years).
  • Other Backward Classes (OBC): Up to 9 attempts (age limit 35 years).
  • Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST): Unlimited attempts (age limit 37 years).

These attempt limits ensure a level playing field by preventing any candidate from having endless chances, thereby maintaining fairness and equal opportunity among all aspirants. Are you confused about the number of attempts you are eligible for as per the UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2025? Go through this article provided below to check category wise attempt limit for UPSC CSE 2025 and age criteria. 

Promo Banner

UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program - 60 Days Foundation Course SuperCoaching @ just

500000
🪙 Your Total Savings ₹50000

Want to know more about this Super Coaching ?

People also like

PSIR Optional (UPSC Mains) by Kiran Anishetty Sir

PSIR Optional (UPSC Mains) by Kiran Anishetty Sir

30000(40% OFF)

18000 (Valid for 15 Months)

Public Administration optional by Rahul Sharma Sir

Public Administration optional by Rahul Sharma Sir

30000(59% OFF)

12500 (Valid for 15 Months)

Geography Optional (UPSC Mains) by Kapil Bhardwaj Sir

Geography Optional (UPSC Mains) by Kapil Bhardwaj Sir

30000(50% OFF)

15000 (Valid for 15 Months)

How Many Attempts for UPSC?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) stipulates specific attempt limits for candidates based on the category they belong to. General category candidates are allowed up to six attempts, while Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates have a maximum of nine attempts. Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates benefit from unlimited attempts until they reach the upper age limit. It's important to note that these attempt limits are subject to the respective age restrictions of each category. Go through the table given below for an overview of the total attempts for UPSC based on the category and age limit criteria –

Category 

Age Limit

Number of Attempts

General 

32

6

OBC

35

9

SC/ST

37

Unlimited 

PwBD

42

9 for General and OBC

Unlimited for SC/ST

EWS

32

6

UPSC Attempt Limit for General Category

Candidates belonging to the General category are permitted a maximum of six attempts to clear the UPSC CSE. The age bracket for these candidates is between 21 and 32 years as of August 1 of the exam year. This means that aspirants must have attained 21 years but not exceeded 32 years on the specified date. It's crucial to note that merely filling out the application form does not count as an attempt; an attempt is only counted when a candidate appears for one of the papers in the UPSC Prelims.

Category

Number of Attempts in UPSC

Age Limit

General

6

21-32 years

UPSC Attempt Limit for OBC Category

Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates benefit from certain relaxations in the UPSC CSE attempt limit. They are allowed up to nine attempts, with an extended upper age limit of 35 years as of August 1 of the examination year. This provides OBC aspirants with 3 additional attempts and therefore, extra time to prepare for the IAS Examination. OBC category candidates should utilize these provisions effectively by making their preparation count

Category

Number of Attempts in UPSC

Age Limit

OBC

9

21-35 years

UPSC Attempt Limit for SC/ST Category

Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates enjoy the benefit of unlimited attempts at the UPSC CSE until they reach the upper age limit of 37 years as of August 1 of the examination year. This relaxation in the total attempts for UPSC is provided to ensure that SC/ST aspirants have ample opportunity to compete for positions in the Civil Services. Aspirants are encouraged to make the most of these provisions by engaging in consistent and focused preparation.

Category

Number of Attempts in UPSC

Age Limit

SC/ST

Unlimited

21-37 years

Also Read – How to Fill UPSC Online Form?

UPSC Exam Attempt Limit for EWS Category

Candidates from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) are subject to the same attempt limits and age criteria as those in the General category. They are allowed a maximum of six attempts, with the age limit set between 21 and 32 years as of August 1 of the examination year. Aspirants from the EWS category should plan their preparation meticulously to make the most of the available attempts within the stipulated age limit.

Category

IAS Exam Attempts

Age Limit

EWS

6

21-32 years

UPSC Exam Attempt Limit for PwBD Category

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are accorded additional relaxations in the UPSC CSE. General and OBC PwBD candidates are permitted up to nine attempts, with an upper age limit of 42 years (as of 1st August of exam year). SC/ST PwBD candidates have unlimited attempts until they reach the age of 42. Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with the specific guidelines and accommodations available to them in the UPSC exam guidelines.

Category

Number of Attempts in UPSC

Age Limit

PwBD (General/OBC)

9

21-42 years

PwBD (SC/ST)

Unlimited

21-42 years

How Many Attempts for UPSC? Frequently Asked Questions

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) has defined specific regulations regarding the number of attempts for UPSC Exam as well as age limit for each category. Candidates must go through the frequently asked questions provided below to clarify any doubts related to “How Many Attempts for UPSC Exam 2025?”

Are there only 4 attempts in UPSC?

No, the number of permitted attempts for the UPSC CSE varies by category as given below –

  • General category: 6 attempts up to the age of 32 years. 
  • Other Backward Classes (OBC): 9 attempts up to 35 years.
  • Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST): Unlimited attempts up to 37 years.

Therefore, the notion of only 4 attempts is outdated.

What is the 7/5/3 rule in UPSC?

The 7/5/3 rule is a strategy for structuring answers in the UPSC Mains examination:

  • 7: Allocate up to 7 minutes to answer each question.
  • 5: Include 5 key points in your answer.
  • 3: Discuss each point from 3 different perspectives or dimensions.

This approach has historically helped candidates in delivering concise, well-structured, and comprehensive answers within the time constraints.

Can a 40-year-old give an IAS exam?

Whether a 40 year old candidate can appear for the UPSC CSE Exam will depend on their category. If a candidate is 40 years old and belongs to General/OBC/SC/ST category, he/she will not be eligible to appear for the UPSC. However, PwBD candidates up to 42 years are eligible for writing the UPSC IAS Exam as per the criteria specified below – 

  • General category: Upper age limit is 32 years.
  • OBC: Up to 35 years.
  • SC/ST: Up to 37 years.
  • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Up to 42 years.

Therefore, a 40-year-old candidate can appear for the exam if they belong to the PwBD category.

How many times can I attempt UPSC?

The number of attempts allowed for the UPSC CSE will depend on the category of candidate as shown below – 

  • General category: 6 attempts.
  • OBC: 9 attempts.
  • SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until reaching the upper age limit.
  • PwBD: 9 attempts for General and OBC candidates; unlimited for SC/ST candidates.

Note that these number of attempts are subject to the respective age limits of each category.

Also read – UPSC Prelims Strategy

We hope you found this article on How Many Attempts for UPSC to be useful and informative for understanding the eligibility for the upcoming UPSC CSE Prelims 2025. Download the Testbook App to get access to industry-best learning resources, expert-recommended preparation tips as well as latest updates about the UPSC Civil Services Exam and other government recruitments.

Latest UPSC Civil Services Updates

Last updated: March 13, 2025

-> Candidates can check out the Daily Headlines for 11th June UPSC Current Affairs.

-> The UPSC CSE and IFS result has been released @upsc.gov.in: UPSC Prelims Result 2025, UPSC IFS Result 2025 

-> UPSC Launches New Online Portal upsconline.nic.in. Check OTR Registration Process.

-> Check UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Analysis and UPSC Prelims 2025 Question Paper for GS Paper 1 & CSAT.

-> UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key released on 21st May 2025 at upsc.gov.in for Paper 1, 2.

-> UPSC Exam Calendar 2026. UPSC CSE 2026 Notification will be released on 14 January, 2026. 

-> The UPSC Civil Services Notification 2025 was out on 22nd January, 2025 and the UPSC 2025 Prelims exam date is 25th May, 2025.

-> Calculate your Prelims score using the UPSC Marks Calculator.

-> Go through the UPSC Previous Year Papers and UPSC Civil Services Test Series to enhance your preparation.

->Check Axiom-4 mission: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's AX-4 mission Launch Date & Time

-> SBI Clerk Mains Result 2025 Out

-> TS LAWCET Provisional Answer Key 2025 has been released on 11th June 2025.

How Many Attempts for UPSC 2025? FAQs

pass-elite-logo

Get specialised UPSC Civil Services preparation with Pass Elite


ELITE Level Tests
ELITE Special Exam-wise Feature
ELITE Level Preparation
Pass Iconincluded
Hot Links: teen patti 100 bonus teen patti rules teen patti all game