Here’s the UPSC age limit for 2026 (Civil Services Examination) (based on the official UPSC eligibility rules as of the 2026 exam cycle):
Minimum Upsc Age Limit
- 21 years as on 1 August 2026 – everyone must have completed this age by that date to apply.
Maximum Upsc Age Limit (as of 1 August 2026)
| Category | Maximum Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 32 years | No age relaxation. |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 35 years | +3 years relaxation. |
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | 37 years | +5 years relaxation. |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | Up to 42 years or more in some cases | Relaxation up to +10 years (varies by specific category). |
Example for general category: You must have been born on or after 2 August 1994 and on or before 1 August 2005 to meet the age eligibility for UPSC CSE-2026.
Number of Attempts
Based on age limits, attempts allowed vary by category:
- General: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit)
- PwBD: Up to 9 attempts for most categories (varies by reservation)
Key Points to Remember
- Age is always calculated as of 1 August of the exam year.
- Meeting the age requirement is just one eligibility condition – you also need the required educational qualification (a graduate degree) and meet nationality criteria set by UPSC.
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