UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024 - UPSC Age Limit, IAS Attempts, Qualification

28 June,2024  |  By Brainwonders

Understanding the eligibility criteria is the first step in the IAS preparation process. Here, we discuss the IAS eligibility requirements and the UPSC age limit for the Civil Services Exam 2024.

The UPSC notification for 2024 was released on 14th February 2024. The Prelims were initially scheduled for 26th May 2024, but due to the general elections, they have been rescheduled to 16th June 2024 (Sunday).

Latest Update on UPSC Eligibility

The UPSC 2024 Notification was released on 14th February 2024. Candidates interested in applying for the UPSC 2024 exam can find the eligibility criteria in this article.

Read on to learn all about the UPSC eligibility requirements and to determine if you are eligible to take the UPSC exam.

IAS Eligibility Overview

IAS Exam Age Limit	21 to 32 years
Age Relaxation	As per category (mentioned below)
Educational Qualification for IAS	Graduation
Nationality	Indian citizens only

UPSC Age Limit – Minimum and Maximum Age for IAS

UPSC Age Limit for Civil Services Exam 2024

Candidates must be at least 21 years old and no older than 32 years old as of 1st August 2024. This means the candidate's birth date must be between 2nd August 1991 and 1st August 2002. The official notification will include the detailed UPSC Age Limit for 2024.

Category	Minimum Age Limit for UPSC	Maximum Age Limit for UPSC
IAS exam Age Limit for General Category	21	32
EWS	21	32
SC/ST	21	37
IAS OBC Age Limit	21	35

Candidates should refer to the linked article for a comprehensive understanding of EWS Reservation Eligibility.

The age limit for Civil Services is a crucial aspect of the eligibility criteria. Therefore, candidates applying for the UPSC Exam should verify the age requirements for the IAS exam before submitting their online application form.

IAS Eligibility – Age Relaxation & Number of Attempts

(Civil Services Age limit relaxations, as discussed below, will apply).

UPSC Exam Age Limit for General, SC/ST, OBC & Other categories
Category	UPSC Age Limit- Upper Relaxation	Number of Attempts
General	32	6
OBC	35	9
SC/ST	37	Unlimited (Up to age limit)
Disabled Defence Services Personnel	35	9
Ex-Servicemen	37	9
Persons with Benchmark Disability – EWS (Economically Weaker Section)	42	9

For details on the physically handicapped category, check the images below:

As per the IAS Eligibility for Defence Servicemen, the persons Disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof have special Civil Services age limit relaxation.

The IAS Eligibility states that ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of 5 years of Military Service as of 1st August 2024 get five years of age relaxation, provided whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defense issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on three months' notice on the selection from the date of receipt of an offer of appointment.

IAS Eligibility- Educational Qualification

According to IAS eligibility criteria for Defence Servicemen, individuals disabled during operations in hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and subsequently released are granted special age relaxation for the Civil Services.

For ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial assignment period of 5 years of Military Service as of 1st August 2024, there is a five-year age relaxation. This is applicable provided their assignment has been extended beyond five years, and the Ministry of Defense issues a certificate stating they can apply for civil employment and will be released on three months' notice upon selection.

IAS Eligibility - Educational Qualification

The educational requirements for IAS eligibility are as follows:

• Minimum qualification for the UPSC exam: A degree from a government-recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
• Final year students and those awaiting results: Eligible to appear for the UPSC preliminary examination. Such candidates must provide proof of passing the examination along with the application for the main IAS examination.
• Professional and technical qualifications: Recognized by the government as equivalent to professional and technical degrees.
• Medical students: Those who have passed the final year of MBBS but are yet to complete their internship are also eligible. They must submit a certificate of course completion (including internship) from the concerned authority of the university/institution along with the Main Examination application.

IAS Eligibility - Nationality

• For IAS and IPS: The candidate must be a citizen of India.
• For all other services: The candidate must be either:
  • A citizen of India, or
  • A subject of Nepal, or
  • A subject of Bhutan, or
  • A Tibetan refugee who came 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 (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire), or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Candidates belonging to categories (2), (3), (4), and (5) must provide a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. They may take the exam before obtaining the certificate but will only receive an appointment offer after the certificate is issued.

Note: Persons belonging to categories (2), (3), and (4) are not eligible for appointment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

Summary of UPSC Eligibility Criteria for the IAS Exam

Below is a summary of the IAS eligibility criteria, including age limits, number of attempts, and relaxations:

• Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, a person of Indian origin, or a subject of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibet settled in India before 1st January 1962.
• Educational Qualification: Must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.
• Age Limit: Must be at least 21 years old and no more than 32 years old.

Category-wise age limit, relaxation, and maximum attempts:

• General Category & EWS: 32 years; 6 attempts.
• OBC (with certificate): 32 years + 3 years; 9 attempts.
• SC/ST: 32 years + 5 years; unlimited attempts.
• Physically Disabled: 32 years + 10 years; Gen/OBC/EWS - 9 attempts; SC/ST - unlimited attempts.
• Jammu & Kashmir Domicile: 32 years + 5 years (+3 years if OBC, +5 years if SC/ST); the number of attempts depends on the reserved category.
• Disabled and discharged Defence service personnel: 32 years + 3 years (+3 years if Gen/OBC, +5 years if SC/ST).
• Ex-Servicemen Commission Officer: 32 years + 5 years (+3 years if OBC, +5 years if SC/ST).

UPSC Eligibility Related Queries

Q1: What is the age limit for the IAS Exam?

A: General category candidates appearing for the UPSC prelims should be under 32 years of age as of 1st August of that year. Candidates from other categories are relaxed on the upper age limit. The specific age limit for UPSC CSE is detailed in the official notification, which candidates should review before applying.

Q2: How many attempts are allowed for the IAS exam?

A: General and EWS category candidates are allowed 6 attempts at the UPSC IAS exam. OBC candidates have 9 attempts, while SC/ST candidates have a limit on the number of attempts once they reach the upper age limit. Candidates in the EWS category with a benchmark disability have 9 attempts, and general/OBC physically disabled candidates also have 9 attempts. SC/ST physically disabled candidates have no limit on attempts.

Q3: Is there any reservation for veterans in the UPSC exam?

A: Ex-servicemen are granted age relaxations of up to 5 years for ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial 5-year Military Service assignment.

Q4: Is there a minimum percentage required in graduation for the IAS exam?

A: No, candidates need only be graduates from a recognized university. There is no minimum percentage required for IAS eligibility.

Q5: What is the salary of an IAS officer?

A: The basic entry-level pay of an IAS officer is Rs. 56,100. Officers also receive various benefits, such as residences and official vehicles.

Q6: What is the highest post an IAS officer can reach in their career?

A: The highest position an IAS officer can attain is the Cabinet Secretary of India.

Q7: Is there lateral entry into the IAS?

A: Yes, since 2018, there has been a lateral recruitment scheme in civil services, allowing private sector specialists to join government departments at senior positions.

Q8: What is the IAS age limit for general category candidates?

A: The age limit for general category candidates is:

• Minimum age: 21 years
• Maximum age: 32 years. There are no age relaxations for the general category.

Q9: Can a 30-year-old take the UPSC exam?

A: Yes, if the candidate has not exhausted the number of attempts, they can take the IAS exam at 30 years old, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Q10: What is the age limit for OBC candidates in UPSC?

A: The age limit for OBC candidates is between 21 and 32, with an additional age relaxation of 3 years, making the maximum age 35.

Q11: Can a candidate who has exhausted their number of attempts but meets the age limit apply for the civil services exam?

A: No, candidates must meet both the number of attempts and age limit criteria to be eligible.

Q12: What is the age bar for UPSC?

A: All candidates' minimum age for the UPSC exam is 21 years. The upper age limits are:

• General category: 32 years
• OBC: 35 years
• SC/ST: 37 years

Q13: Are there any age relaxations for female candidates in UPSC?

A: No, there are no specific age relaxations for female candidates. The age criteria depend solely on the candidate's category.