Age Limit
Minimum Age: 21 years
Maximum Age: 32 years (for General Category candidates)
Note: The age of the candidate is calculated as on 1st August of the year in which he/she is appearing for the exam. For example, if a candidate is applying for the UPSC exam of 2025, then his/her age should be minimum 21 years and maximum 32 years as on 1st August 2025.
Age Relaxation as per Category
UPSC has provided age relaxation to candidates from various reserved categories, so that they can also get equal opportunity.
UPSC Age Limit
1. Unreserved Category (UR)
Minimum age: 21 years
Maximum age: 32 years
No additional age relaxation is given.
2. Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST)
Minimum age: 21 years
Maximum age: 37 years
5 years relaxation is given in the maximum age limit.
3. Other Backward Classes (OBC)
Minimum age: 21 years
Maximum age: 35 years
3 years relaxation is given in the maximum age limit.
4. PwD – Persons with Disabilities
Minimum age: 21 years
Maximum age for general candidates: 42 years
Maximum age for OBC: 45 years
Maximum age for SC/ST: 47 years
5. Defense Service Personnel (Ex-Servicemen)
5 years age relaxation is given for defense service personnel, who come under the general category.
For SC/ST candidates, the maximum age limit is relaxed by a total of 10 years.
6. Residents of Jammu & Kashmir
Candidates who have resided in Jammu & Kashmir between 1st January 1980 and 31st December 1989 get a relaxation of 5 years in the maximum age limit.
Number of Attempts
There are limits not only on the age limit to appear in the UPSC exam but also on the number of attempts. The number of attempts for different categories is as follows:
General Category (UR): Maximum 6 attempts
Other Backward Classes (OBC): Maximum 9 attempts
Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST): No limit on number of attempts, i.e. unlimited (up to age limit)
Persons with Disability Category (PwD): 9 attempts for General and OBC; No limit for SC/ST