UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility — Age, Qualification, Attempts & Relaxation
The UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility requires only graduation but has strict age limits and attempt restrictions that vary by category.
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's degree from any recognized university in any discipline. Even degrees from open universities and foreign degrees recognized by AIU are accepted. Final year students can appear for Prelims. No minimum percentage requirement.
Age Limit
Minimum 21 years and maximum 32 years for General category. Age calculated as on August 1st of the exam year.
Age Relaxation
OBC-NCL: +3 (max 35) | SC/ST: +5 (max 37) | PwBD General: +10 (max 42) | PwBD OBC: +13 (max 45) | PwBD SC/ST: +15 (max 47) | Defence Personnel disabled in operations: +3 | Ex-Servicemen (incl. ECOs/SSCOs with 5 years military service): +5
Number of Attempts
This is unique to UPSC CSE. General: 6 attempts | EWS: 6 | OBC: 9 | SC/ST: unlimited (until age limit) | PwBD General/EWS: 9 | PwBD OBC: 9 | PwBD SC/ST: unlimited. Each appearance at Prelims counts as one attempt, regardless of whether the candidate actually writes the exam.
Nationality
For IAS/IPS: Must be Indian citizen. For other services: Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (pre-1962), and persons of Indian origin migrated from specified countries are eligible.
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria
Qualification
Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university
Age
21-32 (General) | OBC: 35 | SC/ST: 37 | PwBD: 42
Attempts
General: 6 | OBC: 9 | SC/ST: unlimited
Nationality
Indian citizen (mandatory for IAS/IPS)
Check Your Age Eligibility
Check if you meet the age requirement for UPSC CSE. Our calculator shows your exact age on the cut-off date with category-wise relaxation (OBC, SC/ST, PH, Ex-Servicemen).
- ✓ Enter DOB and cut-off date
- ✓ Category-wise age relaxation
- ✓ Preset cut-off dates for major exams
