The UPSC eligibility criteria for the CSE Exam typically include:
Age Limit
As far as age criteria for UPSC is concerned the candidate must have attained the age of 21 years as minimum age for UPSC and must not have attained the age of 32 years(maximum age for UPSC) on the 1st of August of the year of examination. (For 2024, it would mean the candidate should be born not earlier than August 2, 1992, and not later than August 1, 2003).
Age relaxations are provided for candidates belonging to certain categories such as SC/ST, OBC, and persons with benchmark disabilities. The specific age relaxations vary for each category.
UPSC eligibility criteria provides age relaxation to candidates belonging to certain categories as per the guidelines of the Government of India. Here's a summary of the age relaxation criteria for different categories:
-
Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- SC/ST candidates are typically provided with a maximum relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit as maximum age for UPSC.
- For example, if the upper age limit for general category candidates is 32 years as maximum age for UPSC, SC/ST candidates may be eligible to appear for the examination until the age of 37 years.
-
Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- OBC candidates usually receive a relaxation of up to 3 years in the upper age limit as maximum age for UPSC.
- For instance, if the upper age limit for general category candidates is 32 years, OBC candidates may be eligible to appear for the examination until the age of 35 years.
-
Ex-Servicemen (ESM)
- Ex-Servicemen are provided with relaxation in the upper age limit based on their years of service in the armed forces, subject to a maximum of 5 years as maximum age for UPSC.
- Additionally, the period of military service is deducted from the actual age of the candidate to determine their Age criteria for IAS.
- The exact extent of age relaxation depends on the length of service rendered in the armed forces.
-
Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)
- Candidates with benchmark disabilities are provided with age relaxation as per the guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
- The extent of age relaxation for PwBD candidates varies depending on the severity of the disability.
-
Other Special Categories
- Other special categories such as candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir, candidates affected by the 1984 riots, and others may also be eligible for age relaxation as per the specific provisions announced by the Government of India.
It's important to note that the extent of age relaxation and UPSC eligibility criteria may vary based on the latest notification issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Civil Services Examination 2024. Candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC notification for accurate and up-to-date information regarding age relaxation criteria and eligibility requirements. Link given below…..
- https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/Civil%20Services%20%28Preliminary%29%20Examination%2C%202024
About UPSC Civil Services 2024 Age Limit
- General Category: The upper age limit is 32 years.
- OBC (Other Backward Classes): The upper age limit is 35 years.
- SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): The upper age limit is 37 years.
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)-General Category: The upper age limit is 42 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)-OBC Category: The upper age limit is 45 years.
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)-SC/ST Category: The upper age limit is 47 years.
Please note that these age limits as maximum age of UPSC / minimum age for UPSC are subject to change, and it's essential to refer to the official notification released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the most accurate and updated information regarding the age criteria for UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2024.
Age Limit
- Minimum age requirement for IAS examination is: 21 years
- Minimum educational qualification is: Graduation.
| Category |
Maximum Age |
No. of Attempts |
| General |
32 |
6 |
| EWS |
32 |
9 |
| OBC |
35 |
9 |
| ST/SC |
37 |
Unlimited upto age limit |
| Ex-servicemen |
37 |
9 |
| Disabled defense services personnel |
35 |
9 |
| Person with benchmark disability EWS |
42 |
9 |
Number of Attempts
- General Category candidates: 6 attempts till the age of 32 as maximum age of UPSC.
- OBC Category candidates: 9 attempts till the age of 35 as maximum age of UPSC.
- SC/ST Category candidates: Unlimited attempts till the age of 37 as maximum age of UPSC.
- PwBD Category candidates: Relaxation in the number of attempts will be provided as per rules.
Please note that the eligibility criteria might change, and it's crucial to refer to the official notification released by UPSC for the most accurate and updated information regarding the UPSC eligibility criteria for the Civil Services Examination in 2024.
Some FAQs answer given by UPSC with link given below
Link https://upsc.gov.in/faqs
(i) An effort at a preliminary examination shall be considered an attempt at the Civil Services Examination. (ii) If a candidate appears on any one paper in the Preliminary Examination, it will be considered an attempt at the Examination. (iii) Regardless of disqualification or cancellation of candidature, the candidate's appearance at the Examination will be counted as an attempt.
Ans : No, an attempt is counted only if a candidate has appeared in at least one paper in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
Ans : An attempt at the Preliminary Examination is considered an attempt at the Civil Services Examination:
(I) If a candidate actually appears in any one paper in the Preliminary Examination.
(II) Notwithstanding the disqualification/cancellation of candidature, the fact of appearance of the candidate at the examination is counted as an attempt.
Ans : It is the primary responsibility of the candidate to keep a record/track of number of attempts availed by him/her.
Ans : The number of attempts availed by a candidate in Civil Services Examination is checked/verified from the available data/records with the Commission at appropriate stage of this Examination.
Ans : In the relevant provisions under Disqualification, Debarment, Disciplinary Action, Criminal Prosecution of the extant Civil Services Examination Rules, it has been provided that “A candidate who is or has been declared by the Commission to be guilty of - (f) making statements which are incorrect or false or suppressing material information; in addition to being liable to criminal prosecution, shall be disqualified by the Commission from the Examination held under these Rules; and/or shall be liable to be debarred either permanently or for a specified period by the Commission, from any examination or selection..” Therefore, in accordance with this Rule, in all such cases of misleading information on number of attempts availed by the candidates, the Commission cancels the candidature of the said erring candidates for that particular Civil Services Examination and also debars them for 10 years in respect of all future Examinations/Selections of the Commission.
Educational Qualification:
The candidate must hold a degree from any recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification for UPSC.
The educational qualification for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 is as follows:
- Bachelor's Degree: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from any university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or an equivalent qualification for UPSC. The degree can be in any discipline.
- Final Year Students: Candidates who are in the final year of their degree program are also eligible to apply for the examination, provided they submit proof of passing the degree examination along with the application for the Civil Services Examination.
- Equivalent Qualification: Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognized by the Government of India as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply.
- Candidates Appearing for Professional Examinations: Candidates who have passed the final professional M.B.B.S. or any other Medical Examination but have not yet completed their internship are also eligible to apply. However, they must submit a certificate of passing the requisite examination along with the application for the Civil Services Examination.
It's important to note that meeting the minimum educational qualification criteria is necessary for candidates to be eligible to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.
Q. What are the minimum educational qualifications prescribed?
Answer - The candidate must hold a degree from one of the universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or from any other educational institution established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or have an equivalent qualification for UPSC.
Nationality:
IAS Eligibility
For IAS and IPS:
- Candidate must be a citizen of India
All other Services
- a citizen of India, or
- a subject of Nepal, or
- a subject of Bhutan, or
- a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda,
the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
The candidates belonging to categories (2), (3), (4) and (5) should furnish a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. Such candidates may take the exam before getting the said certificate of eligibility, but he/she would get the offer of appointment only after the Government of India has issued the certificate.
Point to Note: A person belonging to categories (2), (3) and (4) are not eligible for appointment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).