How many attempts are permitted in the UPSC CSE? What is the upper age limit for the IAS exam? Know the IAS exam eligibility details by reading this article.
IAS Exam eligibility as per the latest notification of UPSC (Union Public Services Commission) is discussed here.
We hope this post to clear all doubts regarding the number of attempts, age limits, educational qualification etc permitted for UPSC Civil Services Exam (popularly known as IAS exam).
Minimum Educational Qualifications to appear for UPSC Civil Services Exam | IAS Exam Eligibility
Any degree (graduation).
From:
- any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India.
- or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament.
- or declared to be deemed as a University Under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
- or possess an equivalent qualification.
Note: Final year students can also apply.
For details refer Educational Qualification Requirement for IAS Exam.
Minimum age to appear for UPSC IAS Exam | IAS Exam Eligibility
The minimum age to appear for IAS Exam is 21 years. This means that the candidate must have at least 21 years of age on 1st August of that given year when the exam is held. For example, if the candidate is appearing for 2019 prelims, he/she should be above 21 years of age by Aug 1, 2019.
Upper age limit to appear for UPSC IAS Exam | IAS Exam Eligibility
Upper age limit is also calculated on the date Aug 1. This means if the candidate is appearing for 2020 prelims, he/she should be below the mentioned maximum limit by Aug 1, 2020. Upper age limit is fixed different for different categories, which is as given below.
- Upper age limit for General category: 32 years.
- Upper age limit for OBC: 35 years.
- Upper age limit for SC/ST: 37 Years.
- Upper age limit for Defense Services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof: 35 years.
- Upper age limit for Ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service: 37 years.
- Upper age limit for blind, deaf-mute and Orthopaedically handicapped persons (general category): 42 years.
Apart from the mentioned limits, OBC/ SC/ ST candidates will get the benefit of cumulative age relaxation. This means age relaxations gets added in special cases, say, for example, if the person is OBC + Ex-servicemen, he will get an extension of 5 + 7 = 12 years, ie his upper age limit now stands at 42 years.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC Civil Services Exam?
A general category candidate has an age limit of 32 years, but that doesn’t mean that he can write this exam as many times as he wishes. There are some restrictions on the number of times this exam can be taken, which again is different for different categories.
- The number of attempts for IAS exam: General Category: 6 attempts till 32 years of age.
- The number of attempts for IAS exam: OBC: 9 attempts till 35 years of age.
- The number of attempts for IAS exam: SC/ST: unlimited attempts till 37 years of age.
NB: Physically Handicapped /disabled candidates belonging to General category will get the benefit of 9 attempts till the age prescribed by UPSC -- 42 years.
How are attempts for Civil Service Exam calculated?
If you appear for any of the papers of the Civil Services Preliminary Exam, your attempt is counted. If you fill-up the UPSC application form but didn’t go to take the Preliminary Exam, your attempt will NOT BE COUNTED.
UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus
Read IAS Exam Syllabus to know more about the UPSC exam pattern.
UPSC Civil Services Exam Notification
ClearIAS always recommend aspirants to clarify your queries regarding IAS/IPS exam eligibility from the official UPSC Civil Services Exam notification.
The UPSC CSE Exam notification has all the details you are looking for. This includes further details of relaxation, medical requirements for various services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS etc, and even the entire UPSC syllabus.
If you are unable to find it from the UPSC website, don’t worry. Just download the ‘Beginner’s Guide to Success in UPSC Civil Services Exam‘. The latest UPSC notification is added towards the end.
When did UPSC relax the age and number of attempt, for the last time?
It was in 2014.
Read the notification by Center giving relaxation in the number of attempts and age limits for UPSC Civil Services Exam. We kept updating this post whenever we come across any changes in the age-limit or number of attempts, however, it is always advised to cross-check the latest notification about IAS exam eligibility criteria published in the official UPSC website.
Sir,
I’m 38 yrs. OH candidate. Would it be worthwhile for me to start preperation at this age & what are my chances. Does upsc prefers low age candidates. Kindly guide me for the same at the earliest.
Thanks n regards
Dear Vikram,
It is worth to start preparing for UPSC exams at any age. You do have your chances for clearing IAS, if you can do a serious effort. There is no proof for UPSC preference for low age candidates and don’t worry on those lines. ClearIAS.com suggests you to start preparation at the earliest. All the best!
sir i have givenmy first attempt in 2012 xam as general candidate. but now i have obc certificate…i want to know how many attempts more i can give now??? please reply
thank u sir. i want to take zoology & botany as optionals as it will serve the purpose for ifos also. kindly suggest me.
Sir,
I am a medical student pursuing mbbs from govt college. I jst waana ask to u that a medical student have any age relaxation in upsc..?
Sorry Mishra, the answer is NO.
I gave my first and only attempt( due to age bar 0f 30 years in CSE 2012 ). It is not clear whether I wil again be eligible or not for CSE 2014. Should I hope ?
Sir i have lost my previous year roll nos how can i find how many attempts by me &my roll nos
how many attempts are there for prelims only ?
Sir I am 36years old and belongs to j&k and ST category can I give the exam of UPSC and now how many times
respected sir
i am sc candidate .my date of birth is 6-4-1977. can i fill IAS pre exam form.?
sir, I am a st candidate from j&k,what is the upper age limit for us in upsc,as the general cadidates can appear up to 37 .plz reply
Hi am born in 81 obc candidate can i appear f IAS exam
Sir my Date of birth 20nov. 1979….. obc candidate can i appear ias 2015 pl… ans.. me
Sir/madam i am preparing for civil services
i am a stammerer ,many people says that i will be rejected in ias due to stammering is it right
Be confident, there wont be any issue. Go through the official Gazette from UPSC for medical requirements for each service.
Sir, i am B.tech pass out. my batch was 2005 to 2009. but i clear my degree in 2013 with 60% . can i take part in ias or other upsc or state govt. service exam . please also mention what i mention in pssout year .
Hello, im 10thmay1983 born general category women .
can i appear for the next IAS examination.
Suggestions and details.
Thankyou.
Sir/Madam
I am physically disabled (orthopaedic) and OBC category. Can I apply for IAS UPSC exam?
Regards
Rakesh Nandwal
Sir, I am 34 years old and OBC category. Is it possible to give attempts for IAS and if yes how many attempts can I eligible.
Sir i am primary teacer at zp school and my age is 26.how many chances of prelimnary exam are possible for me?and advised me about which optional subject is suitable for me.i am a history graduate through open university in maharashtra nasik.please give me suggetions.
Than you…
Respected sir
I am 34 yrs old and married woman. Am i eligible for upsc exams.
Thank you.
sir,my name Ashish Kmr. sir kya me upsc exams ke liye apply kar sakta kyonki meri age 02 august 2016 ko 21st year puri hogi to kya is year me apply kar sakta hun y fir next year2016 me aur kya age me variyta general candidate ko mil sakti .
Sir I.m medical student and pass aut MBBS in 2012 and present time medical officer in up govt.i wants to preparation for ias so plez adv detail to me for this related quarry
Sir is it possible? To give different papers in different languages eg. GS paper -l in english and GS paper-‘ll in other language or essay writing in other than english.
Please give detal information regarding this.
Sir ..I m appearing student of graduation.Am I eligible for the exam ?
Sir,i need a correct ans..i am in a bit state of confusion.!!!
generally upsc (ias) is having 6 attempts n similarly upsc(ifs) is also having 6 attempts right( for gen category). so if i want to attempt for ifs vil d attempt for upsc ias be consumed else vl i hav d same num of attempts for ias.. r tey diff in count.?? is the total no of attempts for both ias n ifs is 12???
Sir my self Deepa Singh I want to know that any kind of age relax sessions for women’s that because I am 37age.
sir my self gayatri i recently complete BCA can i give UPSC exam ? if yes then give me the exam name & infrormation.
how counted my previous exam attempts on upsc website or how to know how many time attempts i attend through upsc website
Yes. you can give upsc exam. for more detail check upsc website examination deteatil section.
you can fill Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination form on upsc site. closing date is 19-6-2015.
What all would be the portion and subjects to clear and to get a top rank in an IAS exam
What is required percentage for appearing upsc entrance exam in graduation
I am in third year and i will b in final year after one month.. So can i appear for 2015 preliminary exam held in august? Am i eligible?
I’m interested in taking IAS exams, but something’s bugging me – height. I’m 163 cms tall, am i eligible?
I am 19yrs old. When and in which year should i give IAS exam ?
if we want to reject the reservation is it possible
Respected Sir,
I’m 35 yrs old general state govt employee. My D O B is 30/10/1980 Would it be worthwhile for me to start preperation at this age & what are my chances. Does upsc prefers low age candidates. Kindly guide me for the same at the earliest. My call no is 8199966618
Thanks n regard
I am a final year student.So can i appear for 2015 preliminary exam held in August. Am I eligible?
sir,i am in 11th class and i want to go in ias. would you plz guide me for preparation?
Respected sir,
I have passed my BA in this year. Can i apply for this job?
Dear sir,
I also want guidness about the preparation of the exam so plz guid me.
sir
i am a defence oersonnel and my date of birth is 25 apr 1986.am a general candidate.i gave my first attempt in 2014 and then decided to prepare directly for 2016.i was in picture that i can give exam till 32 yrs of age,but i heard rumors that UPSC is again planning to reduce age limit to 30 yrs.
is that true?
hello sir……I m starting my engineering this year i.e 2015…..should I start preparing from now itself or should I start it later after completing engineering??
GD MRNG SIR………, i am first year student of btech(chemical engineering) from mnit jaipur. i have craze to do IAS.how should i start my preparation from now and which subject i should opt.? thanks nd regard…
sir will a short service commissioned officer of army get a age relaxation of 5 years under ex serviceman category?
dear sir my date of birth 01 january 1983… can i able to give pre exam of 2016?? i am general candidate and i have one more chance
i am a student of class 11th and i have taken commerce with maths stream. Now I have decided to become an IAS officer, What to do? Can you please suggest?
Hello Sir, I lost My. Front Teeth in An Accident. I done Caping on it. Is It Fit for IAS. Medical Term and Conditions.
Sir, I’m Praveen from Hyderabad started attempting CSE from 2012. I’ve exhausted 3 attempts(OC) till now.
So, in accordance with the changes made in 2014 regarding no of attempts & age limit, can I still have 3 more attempts?