UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Nationality, & Number of Attempts for IAS Exam
“Take up one idea, make that one idea your life; dream of it, think of it, live on it. Let the brain, body, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea.”
— Swami Vivekananda
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) stands tall as one of the most prestigious and sought-after competitive exams in India. Each year, lakhs of aspirants from across the nation aspire to become part of India’s esteemed civil services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and other allied services. However, before diving into the world of NCERTs, Current Affairs and mock tests, let’s know whether you meet the basic eligibility requirement for the exam.. Yes, you guessed it right- in this article, we’ll discuss the UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025.
This article provides an in-depth overview of the UPSC age limit, including specific relaxations, eligibility criteria, and tips to optimize your preparation timeline.
Know the Basics Before You Begin
However, as the saying goes, “Success doesn’t come by chance, it comes by preparation.” And in the context of UPSC, this preparation begins long before opening a book — it starts with self-assessment.
From minimum educational qualifications to age limits and the number of attempts permitted, UPSC sets certain foundational requirements. These are not just rules but guiding parameters to help you assess your readiness and plan your preparation timeline effectively.
Knowing these criteria in advance not only helps avoid last-minute disappointments but also gives you clarity — Are you eligible? How much time do you have left? How many attempts can you make?
If you’re wondering where to begin, don’t worry. In the following sections, we will walk you through all the critical aspects of the UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025 in a well-structured and easy-to-understand format. So that, by the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether you’re ready to take the next step toward your UPSC journey.
Let’s dive in and explore everything you need to know!
What are the UPSC Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025?
The Union Public Service Commission has defined clear age-related eligibility criteria for candidates aspiring to appear for the Civil Services Examination:
The candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and should not exceed 32 years as of the 1st of August of the year of the examination. For instance, for UPSC 2025, candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd August 1993 and not later than 1st August 2004.
Criteria
- Age Limit
Minimum: 21 years
Maximum: 32 years (must not have completed 32 years) - Age Relaxation
OBC: 3 years
SC/ST: 5 years
PwBD: 10 years - Educational Requirement
Must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university - Number of Attempts
General: 6
OBC & PwBD: 9
SC/ST: No limit (until age limit is reached) - Nationality
Must be an Indian citizen
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Age Limit (As of 1st August 2025)
Age-eligibility plays a significant role when it comes to appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. As per the UPSC eligibility criteria for 2025, here’s a simple breakdown of the age limits for different categories:
- General Category: Must be between 21 to 32 years
- OBC Category: Must be between 21 to 35 years
- SC/ST Category: Must be between 21 to 37 years
- PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): Must be between 21 to 42 years
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Category-wise Details of Age Limit
Candidate Category Minimum Age Relaxation (Over General Limit) Maximum Age General 21 years None 32 years OBC 21 years +3 years 35 years SC/ST 21 years +5 years 37 years PwBD (Blind, Deaf-Mute, Orthopedically...) 21 years +10 years 42 years Ex-Servicemen (Discharged due to disability) 21 years +3 years 35 years Ex-Servicemen (Disability): OBC 21 years +6 years (3+3) 38 years Ex-Servicemen (Disability): SC/ST 21 years +8 years (3+5) 40 years Ex-Servicemen (5+ years): General 21 years +5 years 37 years Ex-Servicemen (5+ years): OBC 21 years +8 years (5+3) 40 years Ex-Servicemen (5+ years): SC/ST 21 years +10 years (5+5) 42 years
Note: Be mindful that the age is calculated as of 1st August 2025. Valid documentation is required to claim relaxation benefits.
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Age Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC and Other Categories
The UPSC provides age relaxation for candidates from various reserved and special categories to ensure fair opportunities in civil services. Here’s we provide a simplified breakdown of the relaxation rules:
SC/ST Candidates:
If you belong to the Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST), you are eligible for up to 5 years of age relaxation beyond the general age limit.
OBC Candidates:
Candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category get up to 3 years of relaxation.
Defence Personnel (Disabled in Operations):
If you were disabled while serving in combat against a foreign enemy or in a disturbed area and were subsequently released, you’re eligible for up to 3 years of relaxation.
Ex-Servicemen / Commissioned Officers / ECOs / SSCOs:
If you have completed at least 5 years of military service and were released:
- Due to the completion of the assignment, or
- Scheduled to complete your assignment within a year from 1st August 2025,
You are eligible for up to 5 years of age relaxation, provided your release was not due to misconduct, inefficiency, or disability unrelated to service.
ECOs/SSCOs with Extended Service Beyond 5 Years:
If you’re an Emergency Commissioned Officer (ECO) or Short Service Commissioned Officer (SSCO) who completed 5 years of military service by 1st August 2025, and your tenure has been extended, you’re also eligible for a 5-year relaxation. However, you must have a certificate from the Ministry of Defence stating that you can be released with 3 months’ notice upon receiving a civil appointment.
PwBD Candidates (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities):
If you are a candidate with disabilities such as blindness, deaf-muteness, or orthopedic disability, you are entitled to up to 10 years of age relaxation.
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Special Case Scenarios for Age Relaxation
- Dual Eligibility for Age Relaxation: Candidates who fall under multiple categories (e.g., SC + PwBD) can combine relaxation benefits.
- Conditions for PwBD Age Relaxation: Candidates must meet medical standards and produce valid certification.
- Definition of Ex-Servicemen: Defined as per the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979.
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Minimum Educational Qualification
Another key aspect of eligibility is your educational background.
To appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, the candidate must have at least a degree in graduation from a recognized university.
UPSC Educational Qualification for the 2025 Exam
- Civil Services Exam: Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification.
- Professional/technical degrees (e.g., BE, MBBS) are also eligible.
Exceptions in Educational Eligibility
- Final-Year Students: Can apply for Prelims but must produce proof before Mains.
- Degrees from Non-Listed Universities: Must be government-recognized equivalents.
- Professional & Technical Degrees: Engineering, CA, MBBS, etc., are valid.
- MBBS Candidates: Can apply for Mains; must complete internship before Interview.
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: UPSC Number of Attempts
Category Maximum Attempts Age Limit
General 6 Should not have completed 32 years
OBC 9 Should not have completed 35 years
SC/ST Unlimited Should not have completed 37 years
PwBD Gen: 9 As per respective category
OBC: 9
SC/ST: Unlimited
Ex-servicemen As per category As per category
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Nationality Criteria
To apply for the UPSC CSE, a candidate must be a citizen of India.
- IAS/IPS: Must be a citizen of India.
- Other Services: May also be a:
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee (before Jan 1, 1962)
- Person of Indian origin (PIO) from select countries
Important Notes:
- Categories 2–5 must get an eligibility certificate from GoI.
- They may sit for the exam, but appointments require the certificate.
- They cannot be appointed to Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Eligibility Certificate
It is very important to note here that even if you are required to produce an eligibility certificate, you can still appear for the exam. However, your final appointment will only be made after the Govt. of India issues the certificate.
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Restrictions on Re-applying
- Already in IAS/IFS and still serving? You cannot apply again.
- Already in IPS? You can reapply, but not for IPS again.
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Medical & Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically and medically fit to undertake the roles of a civil servant.
You must meet the physical standards as outlined in Appendix III of the official UPSC notification.
These standards are crucial for final selection and are published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary).
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve covered all major aspects of UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025, including:
- Nationality
- Age limit & attempts
- Educational qualifications
- Special relaxations
- Medical fitness
Make sure you fulfill every eligibility condition before applying. Knowing this in advance helps you. With competition growing each year, being aware of these norms ensures that your efforts are directed efficiently. Every attempt matters, and a well-informed strategy backed by consistent preparation can significantly increase your chances of success.
For detailed insights and structured information on the UPSC process, you can rely on trusted sources like SPM IAS Academy, which offer clarity on crucial aspects of the exam. Your journey toward becoming a civil servant starts with the right awareness and preparation. Best wishes!
Keep learning, stay consistent, and give it your best shot. All the best for your UPSC journey! Best wishes.