UPSC Age Limit 2025: Check IAS Age Limit for General, OBC, SC/ST

Jun 2, 2025, 10:47 IST

UPSC Age Limit Criteria: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the UPSC CSE examination every year to recruit candidates for various Group A and B posts. The general age limit for UPSC is 21 years to 32 years. Candidates who apply for these posts have to meet certain eligibility criteria including the age limit, and educational qualifications. Read on to know more about the age limit criteria for the UPSC CSE exam.

Know about the UPSC Age Limit Criteria Category-wise
Know about the UPSC Age Limit Criteria Category-wise

UPSC Age Limit Criteria:  There is a certain eligiblity criteria in order to be eligible for the UPSC exam. The eligiblity criteria includes the age limit, educational qualification, nationality,etc. The age limit is a very important criteria in UPSC CSE exam as it includes various categories and accordingly provides age relaxation. The UPSC is very particular about the age limit criteria. The age limit is set every year for the exam. Candidates who wish to apply for the UPSC CSE exam must have attained the age of 21 years and should not be more than 32 years old as on 01 August of the given recruitment cycle. In this article, learn more about the eligibility criteria, age limit, age relaxation and other related information.

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC

Every year lakhs of students apply for the UPSC exam. Those who wish to apply must be holding a graduation degree from any recognized university of India. There are certain provisions related to the nationality of the candidates and the age limit and relaxation criteria.

Age Limit Criteria for UPSC

The candidate must be 21 years old before applying for the UPSC exam. He/She must not be born after 01 August 2004. They should not be more than 32 years old as on 01 August of the year of the recruitment cycle. Candidates can check the full details about the age limit below:

Category

Upper Age Limit

Age Relaxation

General/ UR

32 years

NIL

OBC

35 years

3 years

SC/ST

37 years

5 years

Defence Services Personnel

35 years

3 years

Ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs)/ Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs)

37 years

5 years

PwBD

42 years

10 years

Important Point for the Age Limit Criteria

The age limit criteria is generally provided category-wise, but there are certain categories which can collide. So here are a few points to be taken care of:

  • For Ex-Serviceman including Commissioned Officers and Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs)/ Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) who have rendered at least five years Military Service as on 1st August, 2025, upto 5 years of age relaxation is given.
  • For ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service as on 1st August, 2025 and whose assignment has been extended beyond five years.
    • In this case, the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment. For such personnel, 5 years of age relaxation is provided.
  • The term Ex-Serviceman is defined in the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979.
  • Age Relaxation to Ex-Serviceman: To all the combatants and non-combatants in the Regular Army, Navy, and Air Force of the Indian Union.
  • Age Relaxation for PwBD Candidates: Age relaxation will only be provided to this category of candidates only after the medical examination prescribed by the Government authority.

Also Check: UPSC Prelims Expected Cut Off 2025

UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025

Educational Qualification Required for the UPSC Exam

The candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for the necessary educational qualifications. Applying for the Group A and B services, candidates just have to be a graduate from any recognized University of India. Some important points to be noted:

  • Candidates who are appearing for the final year of exams and whose results are awaited can also apply for the UPSC written exam provided at the time of interview they must produce the proof of them qualifying the exam.
  • Candidates from technical and professional courses background can also apply.
  • Candidates who have pursued M.B.B.S. but have not undergone six months internship after the degree, can also apply for the UPSC exam.
Upasna Choudhary
Upasna Choudhary

Content Writer

Upasna Choudhry holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Chemical Sciences and has an extensive background in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She currently contributes to the Exam Prep Section of Jagran Josh, where her passion for reading and writing shines through her work. Upasna specializes in creating well-researched and aspirant-centric content, simplifying complex topics, and providing strategic preparation insights. Her academic expertise and firsthand experience with competitive exams enable her to deliver valuable resources tailored to the needs of exam aspirants.

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