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UPSC eligibility criteria 2026 have been delineated by UPSC. To be eligible for UPSC CSE 2026, a Candidate should be an Indian citizen and must be at least 21 years old and not more than 32 years old (as of August 1st 2026) for the General category. Candidate should have A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification. Final year students of a Bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply for UPSC CSE 2026, but they must produce proof of passing the examination before the Mains Exam to UPSC.

UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has provided the detailed eligibility criteria for 2026. The candidate must fulfil all eligibility criteria to appear in the UPSC CSE 2026. Details are  given below: 

Also Read IAS HUB Courses for 2026

UPSC Age Limit Category-Wise 2026

UPSC Prelims 2026 Age Limits: A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August, 2026, i.e., the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1994 and not later than 1st August, 2005. 

UPSC Age Limit Category-Wise UPSC Eligibility criteria 2026 is given below:

Also Read: Books for UPSC Prelims 2026

UPSC General Category Age Limit 

General Category Candidates UPSC Eligibility criteria are Minimum 21 years, and the Upper UPSC Age Limit for the general category is 32 years. An important point to note here is that there is no age relaxation granted for candidates from the general category. To be eligible for UPSC Prelims 2026, the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August,1994 and not later than 1st August, 2005. Upper UPSC Age Limit for OBC – 35 years; Maximum age limit for IAS for SC/ST – 37 years.

Also Read Total Quality Enrichment Programme 2026

UPSC Age Limit for SC/ST

The prescribed upper age limit of an Examination is relaxable up to a maximum of 5 years in the case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories. SC/ST candidates, who also belong to either the PwBD or Ex-servicemen category, are eligible for the grant of cumulative age-relaxation under both categories. The candidate who belongs to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe will be eligible to appear for the examination until the maximum age of 37 years. This means that candidates belonging to SC/ST will get up to a maximum of five years’ relaxation. 

UPSC Age Limit For PwBD

PwBD category age limit for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is 21 to 42 years. PwBD candidates will be eligible for the upper age limit of an examination is relaxable up to a maximum of 10 years. The PwBD category UPSC Eligibility criteria include 

• Blindness and low vision.
• Deaf and hard of hearing.
• Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.
• Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness; 
• Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (i) to (iv,) including deaf, blind. 

UPSC Age Limit For OBC

Minimum age limit for OBC is 21 years, and the maximum age limit for OBC is 35 years. The prescribed upper age limit of an examination is relaxable up to a maximum of 3 years in the case of candidates belonging to the OBC category. Such OBC candidates, who also belong to either the PwBD or Ex-servicemen category, are eligible for the grant of cumulative age-relaxation under both categories.

UPSC Age Limit For Ex-servicemen

Ex-servicemen, including Commissioned Officers, Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs), and Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs), who have rendered at least 5 years of military service as of August 1, 2026, are eligible for an age relaxation of up to 5 years. This extends the upper age limit to 37 years for General category ex-servicemen.

UPSC Qualification 2026

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) delineated the qualifications for the 2026 Exam. Qualification is the basis of the criteria that a candidate must fulfil to appear for the UPSC CSE exam 2025. Age limit: 21 to 32 years; Educational qualifications: Bachelor’s degree. Detailed UPSC Eligibility criteria  2026 are given below:

How Many Attempts for UPSC

UPSC puts attempt limits on UPSC candidates to ensure fair competition and prevent unlimited attempts, maintaining the institution’s integrity. UPSC attempt limits vary on the basis of category. This ensures a competitive, merit-based selection process for the UPSC civil services examination within a reasonable timeframe. Detailed UPSC attempt limit given below:

Also Read: Attempts in UPSC

UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria 2025

For candidates who aspire to become an IAS Officer after clearing the UPSC Exam, they need to know that the UPSC Physical Eligibility for IAS Officer is relatively easier than the other civil services positions. IAS aspiring candidates must pass a general medical test, which will ensure that the candidates are free from any serious issue or disease that would create difficulty for them while performing their desk-based duties.

Physical Standards for IAS Officers :

• As per UPSC, there is no strict requirement for height, weight, or vision for IAS officers. However, they need to be fit to perform their function effectively.
• Aspirants should undergo a general medical examination, which will ensure an overall health checkup. 
• UPSC allows a few disabilities due to Disability Act, and candidates with certain physical conditions may still be eligible for IAS roles in the government of India. This ensures equality in that anyone can be an IAS officer.

IPS Physical Eligibility Criteria 2025

UPSC Physical Eligibility for IPS Officer 2025, the eligibility standard for the IPS job position is one of the strictest and difficult standards in the UPSC Civil Services examination, which is set by UPSC. An IPS Officer candidate needs to engage in active fieldwork and law enforcement, for which a higher level of physical standard is needed to perform the task effectively.

Also, read the IPS Eligibility Criteria

Physical Eligibility for Males and Female IPS Officers :

Here is IPS’s physical eligibility for males and females:

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UPSC Eligibility Criteria FAQs?

Q1. What is educational qualification required for UPSC?

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification. Final-year students or those awaiting results are also eligible to apply, provided they can submit proof of passing the degree before the Mains examination. 

Q2. What is age limit for UPSC?

The Age limit for UPSC CSE is General Category 21 to 32 years as of August 1 of the exam year.OBC Up to 35 years (3 years relaxation). SC/ST: Up to 37 years (5 years relaxation). PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) Up to 42 years.

Q3. How many attempts are allowed for UPSC?

UPSC has prescribed the attempt limit for UPSC candidates as given below: General Category: 6 attempts. OBC: 9 attempts. SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the age limit is reached. PwBD: 9 attempts for General/OBC, unlimited for SC/ST.

Q4. Who can claim reservation benefits?

SC/ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), EWS, and PwBD candidates are eligible for age and attempt relaxations. Required documents: Valid category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) or disability certificate (PwBD with ≥40% disability).

Q5. What are the eligibility criteria for UPSC?

For UPSC CSE, candidates need a Bachelor’s degree, be 21–32 years (General), with relaxations for OBC (35), SC/ST (37), PwBD (42). General: 6 attempts, OBC: 9, SC/ST: unlimited. Indian citizenship is required for IAS/IPS. Physical standards apply to IPS.