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.
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.
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!
Arindam Das says
December 22, 2018 at 2:31 pmHi 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 .
Amay vikram singh says
December 23, 2018 at 3:19 pmIf 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.
Tarun soni says
December 22, 2018 at 2:57 pmWhat about number of attempts? It sholud be abolished such that no boundation of attempts untill max age reached.
Venkat says
December 22, 2018 at 6:20 pmI 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…
prateek singh says
December 22, 2018 at 10:29 pmExactly 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 ………..
Mahantesh says
December 23, 2018 at 9:43 amIt hurts very much
Febs says
December 23, 2018 at 10:41 amWhat 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…🙄😒😥
SANJAK says
December 23, 2018 at 7:21 pmNITI 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……
Abhishek Sen says
December 23, 2018 at 9:37 pmNo 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.
Mani S Tiwari says
December 24, 2018 at 12:43 pmDoes 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!!
Ayan says
December 24, 2018 at 9:08 pmI’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?
Maryam says
February 20, 2019 at 8:58 pmSir my DOB is 15/sep/1984 and i am OBC so kindly inform me whether am eligible for prelims, mains and for interview
Kumar says
March 3, 2019 at 2:29 amI am 33 now and sc category , plz tel me it is possible to written upsc exam?
ClearIAS.com says
March 3, 2019 at 7:46 amYes, you can write UPSC CSE. The upper age for SC category is 37 years.
Jaspreet kaur says
April 2, 2019 at 11:59 amI m 6 feb 1985 born…m i eligible for prelims 2020 OBC category…????
Shilpa says
April 8, 2019 at 7:45 pmIam 33yrs ,,,am i eligible to take upsc exams
Rathod Vikram says
April 19, 2019 at 11:51 amI am defence person …. Now i complete my 11 years service…after 5 years i will go to retairment..at that time I can give a upsc exam????….my date of birth is 5 Dec 1987…so how many years I got age relaxation and ex serviceman quata …..and years….
Aditya Ahuja says
April 22, 2019 at 12:14 pmNITI Ayog always takes worthless decisions . For their stupidity we general suffering since it got the power. Even they try to destroy the psu companies and wants to convert railway into private. Many of defence companies which are govt undertaking are suffering from their worthless decisions. As an example GRSE a war ship making company they are facing the loss sunce BJP are in regime. They can only creat discrimination among hindu and muslim , can creat riot among them. They just think about the age limit boundary which they willing to cut down. if it done unemployment issues will be created more .also many of aspirants who are willing to give this exam after 25 they will be disappointed. it has been seen maximum aspirants and previous years topper became ias after 25 or after 30 . in 2014 2015 maximum were above 30. if it below 25 means engineering and medical students wouldn’t have the time . more of it at 21 22 very few can get decision wisely . Though UPSC needs only graduate candidate but the quality of interview much standard than other exams . so the candidates should be well qualified. Those who crack the exam within 1 year of completing graduation , most of them are from hight academic or civil servant background. But others who aren’t who are from rural it generally takes time to understand the exam and the attempt too. so it’s worthless decision to me if it would implemented. Why they do this for UR category? why we are suffering for it? Recently a central govt job recruiters published a job recruitment where it mentioned that ur categories should be in 25 and have to pay exam fees 500. but for sc st upper age limit 36 and no exam fees. is it the sovereignty? where they decideds what the age should be for ur?
Umesha P says
April 26, 2019 at 5:00 pmI’m now 38 age. ST categery. State govt. Employ. Can i take upsc exam
Balaguru says
April 30, 2019 at 11:18 amSC male d. O. B 01/04/83 am I eligible for upsc preliminary 2020 or not
Aparna jijeesh says
May 2, 2019 at 12:59 pmSir ,
I am 34 years old 17 .10. 1984 obc catogery am I eligible for upsc 2020 examinations.
Archana says
May 2, 2019 at 2:46 pmSir my name is Archana Rawle my birhdate is 8th May 1988 my question is Am i eligible for 2020 upsc exam ?
Harish says
May 10, 2019 at 7:53 pmNiti ayoga is playing with aspirants.
Natasha says
May 16, 2019 at 12:00 pmWhther age can be reduced for general cat suddenly 2020 exam from 32 to 26???
Rakesh says
May 18, 2019 at 11:47 amAge for upsc should be 37 for everyone.