UPSC CSE 2026 Age Limit, Attempts & Eligibility Explained

To appear for the UPSC CSE Exam 2026, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Commission. First, it is essential for those targeting the UPSC Exam 2026 to understand the requirements. These requirements include the age limit, educational qualifications, and the number of attempts allowed. 

In this article, we will look at the breakdown of the UPSC CSE 2026 Age Limit. It covers the eligibility criteria, qualification requirements, and attempt limits for different categories. This information will help aspirants plan strategically for their preparation.

UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026

To apply for the UPSC CSE Exam 2026, candidates must fulfill a defined set of eligibility criteria established by the Union Public Service Commission. These criteria cover several key factors. Firstly, they include nationality, UPSC CSE 2026 age limit, number of attempts, educational qualifications, and physical standards. 

The basic criteria specify that the candidate must be an Indian national. Moreover, candidates should have graduated from a recognized university or be in the final year of their undergraduate program. Additionally, the minimum UPSE CSE 2026 age limit to be eligible for the examination is 21 years.

These UPSC eligibility criteria 2026 apply to both the Prelims and Main stages of the exam. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure that only well-qualified and capable candidates move forward. Specifically, the selection process is designed to identify those who are prepared to take on significant responsibilities in governance and public service.

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UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026
Criterion	Details
Age Limit	21 to 32 years
Age Relaxation	OBC: 3 yearsSC/ST: 5 years
Minimum Educational Qualification	Graduation
Number of Attempts	General/EWS: 6OBC/PwBD: 9SC/ST: unlimited
Nationality	Citizen of India

UPSC CSE 2026 Age Limit

The UPSC CSE 2026 age limit for General category candidates is set between 21 and 32 years. This means that, for the UPSC Exam 2026 cycle, candidates must have been born not earlier than August 1994 and not later than August 2005. To promote equal opportunity and inclusivity, the UPSC provides age relaxations for candidates from reserved categories. Furthermore, the details of these category-wise relaxations are discussed below.

Below are the age relaxations under certain circumstances for the UPSC age limit 2026:

UPSC Age Relaxation 2026 – Category-wise
Category	Minimum Age	Relaxation	Maximum Age
General	21 Years	No Relaxation	32 Years
OBC	21 Years	+3 Years	35 Years
SC/ST	21 Years	+5 Years	37 Years
PwBD (Blind, Deaf-mute, Orthopedically Handicapped)	21 Years	+10 Years	42 Years
Ex-Servicemen (Discharged due to disability) – General	21 Years	+3 Years	35 Years
Ex-Servicemen (Discharged due to disability) – OBC	21 Years	+6 Years (3+3)	38 Years
Ex-Servicemen (Discharged due to disability) – SC/ST	21 Years	+8 Years (3+5)	40 Years
Ex-Servicemen (After 5 years of service) – General	21 Years	+5 Years	37 Years
Ex-Servicemen (After 5 years of service) – OBC	21 Years	+8 Years (5+3)	40 Years
Ex-Servicemen (After 5 years of service) – SC/ST	21 Years	+10 Years (5+5)	42 Years

UPSC 2026 Qualifications

The UPSC 2026 qualifications include specific academic qualifications. Below are they:

• A candidate must possess a degree from a Government-recognized University or an equivalent qualification.
• Candidates in their final year of graduation or awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the UPSC Prelims Examination. However, they must provide proof of having passed the required examination while applying for the UPSC Mains Examination.
• Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognised by the Government as equivalent to professional and technical degrees are also eligible.
• Medical students who have passed the final year of MBBS but have not completed their internship can also apply for UPSC CSE. However, they need to submit a certificate of course completion from the concerned authority of the University/Institution along with their Mains Exam application.

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UPSC Eligibility Nationality Criteria

For IAS, IPS and IFS: 

• The candidate must be a citizen of India.

For all Other Services, the candidate must be either:

• A citizen of India, or
• A citizen of Nepal, or
• A citizen of Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962, intending to settle in India permanently, or
• A person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, and Vietnam, intending to settle in India permanently.

Candidates who are citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees must furnish a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. However, they can appear for the exam before obtaining this certificate. Nevertheless, it is important to note that they will receive the offer of appointment only after the Government of India issues the certificate. Additionally, regarding the UPSC CSE 2026 age limit, candidates should ensure they meet the specified age criteria as outlined in the examination guidelines.

UPSC 2026: Number of Attempts

The number of attempts allowed for the UPSC Civil Services Examination varies based on the category of the candidate, and it’s important to consider the UPSC CSE 2026 age limit when preparing for the exam. Here are the attempt limits:

1. General Category: 6 attempts until the age of 32 years.

2. OBC Candidates: 9 attempts until the age of 35 years.

3. SC/ST Candidates: Unlimited attempts until the age of 37 years.

4. Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD):9 attempts (General & OBC) / Unlimited for SC/ST, up to age limits as per category.

5. EWS Category: 6 attempts until the age of 32 years.

Restrictions on Applying for the UPSC Exam

Candidates appointed to the IAS or IFS posts are based on the results of a previous examination. Currently, those serving in either of these two services will not be eligible to appear in the exams for that specific year. 

Similarly, a candidate who was previously appointed to the IPS position, based on the results of a previous examination, will also face restrictions. In particular, if they are currently serving as an IPS officer, they will not be eligible to select the IPS as an option in the exams for that particular year. Additionally, candidates should be aware of the UPSC CSE 2026 age limit criteria when planning for their applications.

UPSC Physical Eligibility Medical and Physical Standards

It is important to ensure that a candidate possesses the necessary physical fitness and capabilities required for the role of a Bureaucrat. In order to do this, one must refer to the UPSC eligibility criteria, including the UPSC CSE 2026 age limit. Thus, evaluating these attributes is important for determining a candidate’s suitability for the position.

• Candidates who successfully pass the UPSC CSE undergo several stages, including qualifying for a medical test. Upon clearing this specific test, candidates become eligible to be appointed as Civil Servants.
• Certain standard physical requirements such as weight, height, and chest measurements are necessary for the selection of officers, especially those being appointed as IPS officers for districts or Indian Railway services and the police services of Pondicherry, among others.
• However, non-technical fields do not have stringent physical standards, but candidates are expected to meet basic demands, such as being physically fit and mentally stable.
• These physical standards are determined according to the guidelines provided in Appendix-III of the Rules for Examination published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated February 02, 2023.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing the UPSC CSE 2026 age limit, including eligibility criteria and qualifications, is important for aspirants. Familiarity with these requirements is key to achieving success in the exam and fulfilling your goal of serving in the Indian government.

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