UPSC Age Limit 2026 – Eligibility, Qualification, Attempts (Complete Guide)

To appear for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, candidates must meet specific eligibility norms set by the Union Public Service Commission. These include nationality, age limit, educational qualification, attempt limits and physical standards.

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1. UPSC Age Limit 2026 (Category-wise)

Minimum Age: 21 years
Upper Age Limit varies by category:

Category	Minimum Age	Age Relaxation	Maximum Age
General	21	No Relaxation	32 Years
OBC	21	+3 Years	35 Years
SC / ST	21	+5 Years	37 Years
PwBD (Blind / Deaf-Mute / Orthopedically Handicapped)	21	+10 Years	42 Years
Ex-Servicemen (Disability Discharge) – General	21	+3 Years	35 Years
Ex-Servicemen (Disability Discharge) – OBC	21	+6 Years	38 Years
Ex-Servicemen (Disability Discharge) – SC/ST	21	+8 Years	40 Years
Ex-Servicemen (5+ years service) – General	21	+5 Years	37 Years
Ex-Servicemen (5+ years service) – OBC	21	+8 Years	40 Years
Ex-Servicemen (5+ years service) – SC/ST	21	+10 Years	42 Years

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2. UPSC Educational Qualification (2026)

A candidate must have:

• A graduate degree from a recognized university OR

• An equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India.

Also eligible:

• Final-year students (must submit proof before Mains).

• Candidates with recognized professional/technical degrees.

• MBBS graduates who completed final exams but not internship
  (must submit completion certificate during Mains application).

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3. UPSC Nationality Criteria

For IAS, IPS & IFS:

• Must be a citizen of India.

For All Other Services:

Candidate must be:

• A citizen of India, or

• A citizen of Nepal or Bhutan, or

• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 Jan 1962, or

• A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) migrated from specified countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, East African nations, Vietnam).

Such candidates require a Government of India eligibility certificate (appointment allowed only after certificate approval).

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4. UPSC Attempt Limit 2026

Category	Attempts Allowed
General / EWS	6 attempts (up to 32 years)
OBC	9 attempts (up to 35 years)
SC/ST	Unlimited attempts (up to 37 years)
PwBD	9 attempts (General/OBC) / Unlimited for SC-ST

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5. Restrictions on Applying

You cannot appear for UPSC CSE if:

• You are already appointed to IAS or IFS and are serving.

• You are serving as an IPS officer → you cannot opt for IPS again that year.

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6. UPSC Physical Eligibility / Medical Standards

Mandatory after selection:

• Medical examination as per Appendix-III of UPSC rules.

• Ensures physical fitness for administrative duties.

For IPS & certain services:

• Strict standards for height, weight, chest expansion, eyesight, etc.

Non-technical services:

• No strict standards, but candidates must be:

  • Physically fit

  • Mentally sound

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7. Summary – UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026

• Nationality: Indian (or as per rules above)

• Minimum Age: 21 years

• Maximum Age: 32–42 years (category-wise)

• Qualification: Graduate degree

• Attempts: 6–Unlimited (category-wise)

• Physical Standards: Required for IPS & technical services