UPSC Exam Age Limit 2026: Category Wise Age Limit, Relaxation & Eligibility Criteria

Age Details

• General category: 21 to 32 years as on 01-08-2026
• OBC: 21 to 35 years (3-year relaxation)
• SC/ST: 21 to 37 years (5-year relaxation)
• PwBD: General PwBD up to 42 years; OBC PwBD up to 45 years; SC/ST PwBD up to 47 years
• Ex-Servicemen: Relaxations apply as per rules; commonly up to 5 years additional depending on category

Crucial date for age calculation: 01 August 2026

Educational Qualifications

• Graduation is the primary requirement for UPSC CSE 2026. A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification is required. Final-year students or those awaiting results may apply provisionally for the Preliminary examination, but proof of passing must be produced before appearing for the Main examination.
• There is no minimum percentage required in graduation. Professional and government-recognized qualifications are also acceptable. Medical students who have completed their MBBS final year but not the internship can apply with a completion certificate.

Number of Attempts

• General / EWS: 6
• OBC: 9
• SC / ST: Unlimited (till age limit)
• PwBD (General): 9
• PwBD (OBC): 9
• PwBD (SC/ST): Unlimited

Nationality

• For IAS, IPS, and IFS: Citizen of India
• For other services: Citizen of India or subject of Nepal/Bhutan or Tibetan refugee (before 1962) or person of Indian origin from specified countries

Important Dates

• Crucial date for age calculation: 01 August 2026
• Official notification release: 04 February 2026
• Updated information: 11 April 2026
• Exact application start and end dates are not specified in the provided content; please consult the official notification for the final online application window.

Application Fees

• Not specified in the provided content. If fees apply, they are typically category-based. Please refer to the official notification for exact fee details and exemptions.

Important Notes

• Always refer to the official UPSC notification on ups.gov.in for final confirmation and any updates.
• Ensure you meet the category-wise relaxations and documentary requirements (e.g., caste certificates for SC/ST and Non-Creamy Layer certificate for OBC).
• Keep track of the crucial date: 01 August 2026, for age calculation.