Eligibility Criteria
Education : Any graduate degree (distance education as well) recognized by UGC/AICTE
Age Limit and Number of Attempts :
Eligibility Criteria For The UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE)
| CATEGORY | ASPIRANT AGE | # ATTEMPTS |
|---|---|---|
General | 21 to 32 | 6 |
OBC | 21 to 35 | 9 |
SC / ST | 21 to 37 | Unlimited |
The UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE) is a highly competitive exam for aspiring civil servants in India. To crack this prestigious exam, understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial.
Nationality
- For the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service, a candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services, a candidate must be either
- a citizen of India, or
- a subject of Nepal/Bhutan
- a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limits
- A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years as of August 1 of the exam year.
- Relaxation in the upper age limit is provided for certain categories, such as OBC, SC, ST, and others.
Educational Qualification
- You must hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized University in India.
- The degree can be from any stream, including Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medicine, Law, etc.
- Candidates in their final year of graduation can also apply, but they must provide proof of passing the degree before the Mains exam.
Number of Attempts
- The number of attempts a candidate can make varies with their category
- General category: Six attempts until the age of 32.
- OBC category: Nine attempts until the age of 35.
- SC/ST category: Unlimited attempts until the age of 37.
Physical Fitness
- Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the Civil Services Examination as per the regulations published by UPSC.
Restrictions on applying for the examination
- A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Foreign Service based on the results of an earlier Examination and continues to be a member of that Service will not be eligible to appear at the Civil Services Examination.
Remember, fulfilling the eligibility criteria is just the first step in your UPSC journey. Dedication, hard work, and the right preparation strategy are key to achieving your civil service dream.