UPSC Age Limit 2026, Eligibility, Qualification, Attempts

To appear for the UPSC CSE Exam 2026 for Prelims and Mains, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Commission. For those targeting UPSC Exam 2026, it is essential to understand the requirements such as age limit, educational qualifications, and the number of attempts before starting their preparation.

This blog provides a comprehensive breakdown of the UPSC Age Limit 2026, covering the eligibility criteria, qualification requirements, and attempt limits for different categories to help aspirants plan strategically.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Result 2025

UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026

To apply for the UPSC CSE Exam 2026, candidates must fulfill a defined set UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 laid down by the Union Public Service Commission. These conditions cover key factors such as nationality, age, number of attempts, educational qualifications, and physical standards. The basic criteria specify that the candidate must be an Indian national and should have graduated from a recognized university or be in the final year of their undergraduate program. In addition, the minimum age limit is 21 years to be eligible for the examination.

These eligibility norms apply to both the Prelims and Main stages of the exam. The aim is to ensure that only well-qualified and capable candidates, prepared to take on significant responsibilities in governance and public service, move forward in the UPSC Selection Process 2026.

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UPSC Age Limit 2025

The UPSC age limit for the General category candidates is 21 to 32 years. In other words, for the UPSC Exam 2026 cycle, candidates should have been born not earlier than August 1994 and not later than August 2005. To ensure equal opportunity and inclusivity, the UPSC provides age relaxations to candidates from reserved categories. The details of category-wise relaxations are discussed below.

UPSC Age Relaxation

The UPSC upper age limit mentioned above can be relaxed under certain circumstances:

UPSC Qualification

The UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026 include the following Academic Qualifications:

• A candidate must possess a degree from Government-recognized University or an equivalent qualification.
• Candidates in their final year of graduation or awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the UPSC Prelims Examination. However, they must provide proof of having passed the required examination while applying for the UPSC Mains Examination.
• Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government as equivalent to professional and technical degrees are also eligible.
• Medical students who have passed the final year of MBBS but have not completed their internship can also apply for UPSC CSE. However, they need to submit a certificate of course completion from the concerned authority of the University/Institution along with their Mains Exam application.

UPSC Eligibility - Nationality Criteria

For IAS, IPS and IFS:

• The candidate must be a citizen of India.

For All Other Services:

The candidate must be either:

1. A citizen of India, or
2. A citizen of Nepal, or
3. A citizen of Bhutan, or
4. A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 intending to settle in India permanently, or
5. A person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, and Vietnam, intending to settle in India permanently.

Candidates who are a citizen of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibetan Refugee must furnish a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. They can appear for the exam before obtaining the certificate of eligibility, but they will receive the offer of appointment only after the Government of India issues the certificate.

Number of Attempts in UPSC

The number of attempts allowed for the UPSC Civil Services Examination varies based on the category of the candidate. Here are the attempt limits:

• General Category: 6 attempts until the age of 32 years.
• OBC Candidates: 9 attempts until the age of 35 years.
• SC/ST Candidates: Unlimited attempts until the age of 37 years.
• Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD):9 attempts (General & OBC) / Unlimited for SC/ST, up to age limits as per category
• EWS Category: 6 attempts until the age of 32 years.

Restrictions on Applying for the UPSC Exam

Candidates appointed to the IAS or IFS posts, based on the results of a previous examination and currently serving in either of these two services, will not be eligible to appear in the exams for that specific year.

Similarly, a candidate previously appointed to the IPS Position based on the results of a previous examination and currently serving as an IPS officer will not be eligible to select the IPS as an option in the exams for that particular year.

UPSC Physical Eligibility - Medical and Physical Standards

It is essential to ensure that a candidate possesses the necessary physical fitness and capabilities required for the role of a Bureaucrat, as specified in the UPSC eligibility criteria.

• Candidates who successfully pass the UPSC CSE undergo several stages, including qualifying for a medical test. Upon clearing this specific test, candidates become eligible to be appointed as Civil Servants.
• Certain standard physical requirements such as weight, height, and chest measurements are necessary for the selection of officers, especially those being appointed as IPS officers for districts or Indian Railway services and the police services of Pondicherry, among others.
• However, non-technical fields do not have stringent physical standards, but candidates are expected to meet basic demands, such as being physically fit and mentally stable.
• 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.