To the relief of thousands, the Centre has clarified that it is not considering any proposal to reduce the age limit for civil service aspirants.
The announcement (November 2014) came against the backdrop of news reports which suggested that the Central government will implement its decision on the ARC recommendation to bring down UPSC the upper age limit by four years.
The (NDA) government has even issued a statement explaining existing UPSC age limits and the number of attempts.
ARC Recommendations regarding reducing the UPSC CSE Upper Age Limit
- In its 10th report titled “Refurbishing of Personnel Administration – Scaling New Heights,” the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) recommended permissible age as 21 to 25 for general candidates, 21 to 28 for OBCs, and 21 to 29 years for SC/ST candidates as also for the physically challenged.
- The Group of Ministers at its meeting held on December 16, 2013, while accepting the age of entry in the CSE to be 21, discussed the upper age limit and decided to go by the recommendations of the Core Group on Administrative Reforms, which is 26 years for the unreserved category, 28 for OBC and 29 years for SC/ST, and two years additional for physically challenged candidates in each category.
- The GoM further decided to reiterate its earlier decision regarding the number of attempts i.e. three for unreserved candidates, five for OBCs, six for SC/ST candidates with additional two attempts for physically challenged candidates in each category. It was decided to implement these provisions from CSE2015.
- It was decided to implement these changes from CSE 2015.
Clarification by the Centre on news regarding age limit reduction for UPSC Civil Services Exam:
The above-mentioned decisions were noted for the record and further necessary action.
However, before any action in this regard could be taken, the (UPA) government further took a decision on February 7, 2014, to allow two additional attempts to all categories of candidates with effect from CSE 2014, with consequential relaxation of maximum age for all categories of candidates, if required.
Thus, the DoPT reiterated, the current position is two additional attempts for all categories, apart from four for the unreserved, unlimited attempts for the SC/ST and seven attempts each for the OBC and the physically challenged (General and OBC) categories.
Also read – No move to act on the NITI Aayog’s report to reduce the age limit of UPSC CSE: Center.
The existing number of attempts for UPSC Civil Services Exam
- Unreserved (general) – 6.
- OBC – 9.
- SC/ST – unlimited.
- PH – 9 in General PH, 9 in OBC PH, unlimited in SC/ST PH.
Existing Age-limit to attempt UPSC Civil Services Exam
- Unreserved (general) – 32 years.
- OBC – 35 years.
- SC/ST – 37 years.
- PH – 42 in General PH, 45 in OBC PH, 47 in SC/ST PH.
Newspaper updates regarding UPSC age-limit controversy
- No change in age limit, attempts for this year: DoPT – The Hindu.
- Govt says no to UPA move to lower UPSC age limit – Hindustan Times.
- No proposal to reduce upper age limit for civil services aspirants: Centre – News on Air.
priya says
November 19, 2014 at 12:07 pmThe Hindu is a very biased newspaper..it wrote this and the previous article without following journalism ethics…yesterday it published that age attempts would be reduced without confirming it from the concerned authority in the Government causing panic among lakhs of aspirants.
Today again the way this article has been drafted and the title (no change, ‘this year’), it clearly shows it wants to create unease among the aspirants and politicians for some ulterior motives. one might say that article yesterday was strategically placed considering UP, Bihar elections and civil services mains exam approaching to create panic and chaos.
while everyone knows that the hindu is a left-tilting newspaper, it would go so far in manipulation of facts (the decision was last govt.’s which it portrayed to be taken as now) and it totally omitted the extra attempts give this year, noone would have thought it would go so far in targetting the present Government. now I know why P Sainath and other eminent journalists resigned from the newspaper.
Anyway, this is a nice way to lose the credibility that it enjoyed so far.
Alpa says
November 20, 2014 at 12:36 pmClearias,
Awaiting the full length test series for mains….it would be very helpful.
sonu says
January 24, 2015 at 6:39 amdoes this mean age limit will reduce for year 2016 ? how can we know about year 2016 and onwards?
Kommu says
January 27, 2015 at 1:18 amHi Admin, Can you respond to the question raised by Sonu?
ClearIAS.com says
January 27, 2015 at 9:17 amAs of now there are no news about age limit reduction. Start preparation at full stretch. All the best! 🙂
Anu says
June 6, 2016 at 2:27 amHello Sir,
I recently joined on your website because I want to appear in UPSC exam 2017-18. I have only one chance to appear in this exam because of my age. Yes I am 31 years old as of now and wanted to give 2017 exam. It was my bad luck that I haven’t got an opportunity to prepare for UPSC exam earlier. But this time I decided that I’ll deffinetly prepare for prelims exam for Aug 2017 but it’s really heartbreaking news that UPSC is reducing the age from 32 to 26 for general category. I am not able to concentrate on my study. Please help me to clear one thing that is there any possibility for age reduction in 2017 or not? If no then I can continue with my preparation with dedication. Please suggest..
Sarish says
March 17, 2015 at 1:52 amScores of Thanks to Modiji…
vishal says
December 10, 2015 at 9:50 amkya dopt ke december 2015 ke notice ke anusar upsc ias exam k liye age km kar di gyi hai.
Anu says
June 6, 2016 at 2:33 amPlease share your views of age reduction for 2017-18. I am planning to appear in next year exam. But i am totally in stress to heard this news that UPSC is reducing the age limit from 32 to 26 years. Please share any updates on the same. Because I am not able to concentrate on my study.
Thanks.
ClearIAS.com says
June 6, 2016 at 9:40 amThere are news reports (see link) that the Baswan Committee appointed for UPSC exam reforms is in strong favour of reducing age-limit. But he has not hinted on any lower age like 26 years. Besides, reducing age-limit wont be an easy decision for any government, as there will be criticism from all-quarters. 32 years for general category is not such a high age-limit as per our opinion. We can hope that there will not be any drastic change.
Anu says
June 6, 2016 at 10:14 amThank you so much for your reply. Please suggest me should I continue with my study because I am planning to take coaching this year because I want to appear in next year exam. This would be my first and last exam but it will be like dream come true. I would be very heartbreaking if UPSC will reduce the age limit at the end of this year because many aspirants are already joined coaching classes.
Your response would be highly appreciated. Thanks once again.
Anu
Ran1234 says
September 12, 2016 at 11:40 pmIn a phased manner government will reduce the age limit to 27 from 32 (acceptance of UPSC panel recommendations). Watch this informative video for detailed analysis of recent government initiatives for IAS reform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyjpvyRCryA&feature=youtu.be
aspirant says
September 17, 2016 at 8:29 amSir finally what decisions has been taken from September 14 I have stopped studying and I m in great stress could not finding any verge pliz sir tell me what finall decisions has been taken by upsc panel
aspirant says
September 17, 2016 at 6:23 pmPlease sir reply I m waiting
aspirant says
September 17, 2016 at 6:24 pmPlease sir reply I m waiting and if I m eligible I will join ur test series
aspirant says
September 17, 2016 at 7:11 pmWhat happened sir where is the reply