As of now the upper age limit for UPSC Civil Services Exam is 32 years for General Category. It is 35 for OBC, and 37 years for SC/ST. However, NITI Aayog has recommended that the UPSC upper age limit for the civil services should be brought down to 27 years for the general category in a phased manner by 2022-23.
Now it is up to the Central Government to implement this recommendation or not.
The UPSC Upper Age Limit – Significance
The minimum age to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is 21 years.
However, most aspirants start preparing for this exam in their mid-20’s. Very often, multiple attempts are needed for aspirants to get a top rank. Hence, the average age of selected aspirants in a new batch currently is 27+ years.
Due to several requests from the aspirant community, the Central government (during the UPA rule) increased the upper age limit to appear for UPSC Civil Services Exam (IAS/IPS exam) to 32 years from the 30-year limit which existed before. Also, the government increased the number of attempts from 4 to 6.
On the contrary, NITI Aaayog (and various other civil service reform committees) recommend reducing the upper age limit.
Many general category candidates fear that lowering the upper age limit may practically devoid them of the much sought after government jobs. Reduction in age limit may affect reserved category aspirants as well, even though their upper age limit is much higher.
NITI Aayog: Reduce the UPSC upper age limit to 27 years
NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India. It provides both directional and policy inputs.
NITI Aayog in its new report ‘Strategy for New India @ 75’ has suggested many civil service reforms. One of the major recommendations is to bring down the upper age limit for the civil services to 27 years for the general category in a phased manner by 2022-23. (You can read the document here.)
Understandably, if this proposal is implemented, the age limit of other categories too will be affected, accordingly. However, it’s up to the government to decide whether it should implement the NITI Aayog’s recommendations.
Other major civil service reforms recommended by NITI Aayog
- Reduce the number of civil services: The existing 60 plus separate civil services at the central and state level needs to be reduced through rationalization and harmonization of services. Recruits should be placed in a central talent pool, which would then allocate candidates by matching their competencies and the job description of the post. Concomitantly, the number of exams for civil services should ideally be brought down to one with all India ranking. States may also be encouraged to use this pool for recruitments
- Encourage Lateral entry to civil services: Inducting specialists at higher levels of government will provide much-needed expertise.
NDA government has already allowed lateral entry into civil services (well, this obviously allows candidates above 32 years of age, but specialists with work experience).
Will the Government Reduce UPSC Upper Age Limit?
Civil Service reform is not an easy decision for any government.
Not all policies and plans are implemented. Very often many recommendations remain on the file shelf itself.
Various commissions appointed by the government, even before, suggested similar reforms. But they were not implemented.
As 2019 is the election year, it is unlikely that the government take any major unpopular decision this year.
Update (Dec 26, 2018): Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (MoS) in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Personnel has clarified that there is no move on the part of the government to alter the age criteria of eligibility to appear in civil service examination, and therefore, all the reports and speculation should be put to rest.
What should IAS/IPS aspirants do now?
Aspirants should understand that this is just a recommendation. The government has not taken any decision on it.
Even the recommendation by NITI Aayog is to implement the change in phases. So there won’t be any immediate overhaul.
It is unlikely that any changes will be made for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2019.
The UPSC CSE 2019 notification will be out by February 19, 2019. UPSC Prelims 2019 is scheduled to be on June 02, 2019.
It’s better not to postpone your UPSC attempts!
Even though the government has clarified that it has no plans to change the age-limit as of now, always be on the safe side. If you are 25 plus, re-consider your decision to postpone your attempts. Better start and finish early!
You still have time to clear UPSC Civil Services Exam with flying colours even if you start preparing now.
Time is precious. Don’t waste it.
We strongly recommend IAS/IPS aspirants to follow ClearIAS test-based approach to learn faster. Join ClearIAS Prelims Test Series 2019 now, if not enrolled already. All the best!
Hi am 25 plus now ,am confident of clearing the prelims ,but I don’t know whether I can clear mains or not as it’s a huge portion which includes four paper ,optional,essays ,and I’ve recently completed my graduation so I’m confused whether I should attempt for UPSC 2019 or not ,and above all Niti Ayog seems to cut the age bar .
If you are confident enough for your prelims exam the tie your belt and start preparing for mains. and give your attempt. This is only a recommendation given by NITI aayog which is not yet been accepted by the government. Fear not they will not cut the age bar till 2020.
Give your attempt. We believe in you. You will surely get your dream.
All the best.
What about number of attempts? It sholud be abolished such that no boundation of attempts untill max age reached.
I think Niti aayog does not want genaral category candiadates to write the exam?
There are many issues in the country instead of solving them, why it is playing with aspirants…
Exactly Venkat .I think they jst wan to divert the attention from other issues…………I don understand the logic behind this recommendation…very soon we will be having the policy dat general candidates are not be allowed to appear in any such reputed competitions ………..
It hurts very much
What about medical students!! We will be 25 above even at the time of our graduation…How we general category candidates going to compete?? We may not be able to get even 2 attempts…🙄😒😥
NITI Ayog is a new , less experienced organisation just formed 4 years ago and the people of NITI Ayog without any foresight, are taking Big decisions …..See, they have destroyed YOJANA Ayog and its SPIRIT ….and in BID to bring an OUT OF THE BOX series of Decisions ,they are taking this immature decision too which is affecting CRORES of Aspirants…….Civil Services needs age wise maturity too and also Balanced Decision making ability and age maturity has something or the other to do with it……
No never implement such age bar for general candidates.It will smash the hopes of lakhs of aspirants. Maximum candidates selected in UPSC are above the age of 27 years. General candidates are already on the suffering side. This will totally kill their hopes for government job.
Does Niti Ayog has guts to recommend to remove reservation system in Civil Services exams?? No body has guts to even touch the SC, ST and OBC to reform INDIA. All practices and implementations will be made on General candidates only because we only do our duties..never raise our voice for our rights.
Did NITI Ayog workout ..how many Gen Category candidates appears in 10 Lakhs application?? Is that way they want to reform India…
I m just challenging NITI Ayog to fix the age bar for all category candidates either OBC or SC or ST!!
Any way frnds.. just start preparing from now. Take this news as a motivation to crack civil services. Reschedule your plans… All the best!!
I’m first year of my ug degree course and im 25 years… should I consider preparing for this exam as I’ll turn 27 on may 2020?