If you’re preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, understanding the UPSC age limit, relaxations, and number of attempts is absolutely important. It helps you plan your preparation timeline, decide how many attempts you have, and manage the “window” you’ve got to give your best shot. In this article, we will discuss a detailed, up-to-date breakdown (as of 2026) of the UPSC age limits and attempt rules for General, OBC, SC/ST (and other special categories), plus tips & caveats you should know.
UPSC Notification 2026 – Latest Update
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to release the official UPSC 2026 Exam Notification in January 2026, following its usual schedule (for instance, the UPSC 2025 notification was issued on 22 January 2025).
As per the official UPSC Exam Calendar, the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 will be conducted on 24th May 2026 (Sunday). The upcoming notification will include comprehensive details regarding eligibility criteria, important dates, exam pattern, and application procedures.
Once published, you download it and thoroughly review the UPSC 2026 Notification PDF from the official website — upsc.gov.in — to ensure they meet all the eligibility requirements and understand the examination process.
Why UPSC age limit & attempts matter?
The UPSC CSE is highly competitive. Knowing how many chances you have and what the UPSC age limit is can affect when you begin serious preparation. If you miscalculate your eligibility (for example, your date of birth criterion or attempt count), you may be ineligible despite having prepared for months.
Many aspirants lose potential attempting years by waiting too long; knowing the rules helps you make informed decisions (e.g., whether to attempt early vs wait to build more conceptual clarity). Age and attempt caps also define the “career window” — the time frame you’ve got to enter the civil services via this route.
Basic eligibility – UPSC Age limit and Minimum Requirement
Let’s start with the basic bottom line: what is the minimum age, what is the typical maximum age for the General category, and what minimum qualification is required?
What is the Minimum UPSC age limit?
All candidates (regardless of category) must have attained 21 years of age on 1 August of the year of the examination. That means for CSE 2026, the candidate must be 21 or older as of 1 Aug 2026.
What is the maximum UPSC age limit for the General category?
For General / EWS category candidates, the upper age limit is 32 years as on 1 August of the exam year (unless relaxations apply). For example, in UPSC CSE 2026, the candidate must not have attained the age of 32 years on 1 August 2026. In short, born not earlier than 2 Aug 1994 and not later than 1 Aug 2005 (for the general category) if we follow the “must not have attained 32 years by 1 Aug 2026” rule.
What is the Educational qualification?
The candidate must hold a graduate degree (Bachelor’s degree) from a recognized university or have an equivalent qualification. Final year students may apply (in many cases), provided they produce proof of passing before the mains. (Check the specific notification.)
Category-wise Age-Relaxation – Upper Age Limits
Because of social equity and special provisions, the UPSC provides age relaxation for certain categories. Here is the breakdown:
Basic Age Eligibility
| Category | Age Limit (as on 1st August 2026) |
| General / EWS | 21 to 32 years |
| OBC | 21 to 35 years |
| SC / ST | 21 to 37 years |
| PwBD (General) | Up to 42 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | Up to 45 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | Up to 47 years |
Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the upper age limit as of 1st August 2026.
Category-wise Attempt & Relaxation Limit
| Category | Maximum Number of Attempts |
| General / EWS | 6 attempts till 32 years |
| OBC | 9 attempts till 35 years |
| SC / ST | Unlimited attempts till 37 years |
| PwBD (General / OBC / SC/ST) | As per the respective category relaxation |
- Age relaxation applies cumulatively in some cases (e.g., PwBD + OBC).
- For Defense Services personnel, Ex-servicemen, and J&K domicile candidates, additional relaxations apply as per UPSC rules.
Candidates from Jammu & Kashmir:
Applicants who were ordinarily domiciled in the state of Jammu & Kashmir between 1st January 1980 and 31st December 1989 are eligible for an upper age relaxation of 5 years. This means the maximum age limit is 37 years for General candidates, 40 years for OBC, and 42 years for SC/ST candidates. The number of attempts for such candidates remains as per their respective community category — for example, General candidates can attempt up to 6 times, OBC up to 9 times, and SC/ST have unlimited attempts within their respective age limits.
Disabled Defense Services Personnel:
Defense personnel who were disabled during operations in hostilities with a foreign country or in a disturbed area and were released as a result are eligible for an upper age relaxation of 3 years beyond their base category limit. Accordingly, the maximum age limit for these candidates is 35 years for General, 38 years for OBC, and 40 years for SC/ST. The permissible number of attempts follows their community category — 6 for General, 9 for OBC, and unlimited for SC/ST candidates.
Ex-Servicemen (including ECOs/SSCOs):
Ex-servicemen who have completed at least five years of military service and have been released (or will be released within a year of 1st August 2026) are eligible for an upper age relaxation of 5 years. This means General category ex-servicemen can apply up to 37 years, OBC up to 40 years, and SC/ST up to 42 years of age. The number of attempts for these candidates is governed by their respective community category: 6 for General, 9 for OBC, and unlimited for SC/ST. ECOs/SSCOs who continue in service beyond five years must produce a certificate from the Ministry of Defense stating they are eligible for civil employment and will be released on three months’ notice if selected.
Important Notes
- Counting Attempts: An attempt is counted only when a candidate appears for any one paper of the Preliminary Examination. Filling the form but skipping the exam does not count as an attempt.
- No Gender-Based Relaxation: UPSC does not provide any additional age or attempt relaxation for female candidates.
- No One-Time Relaxations: Exceptions beyond the rules above are possible only if the Government issues a special notification, which is extremely rare.
Quick Facts to Remember regarding the UPSC age limit
- OBC candidates get 3 additional years, so typically the upper age limit is 35 years.
- SC/ST candidates get 5 additional years, so the upper age limit becomes 37 years.
- PwBD candidates can often avail 10 years additional relaxation (so upper age ~42) depending on the category.
- For ex-servicemen, disabled defense personnel, J&K domiciles, etc., there are further special relaxations that may apply cumulatively.
Example: For CSE 2026
- A General category candidate must not have attained the age of 32 years by 1 August 2026.
- An OBC candidate must not have attained the age of 35 years by 1 August 2026.
- A SC/ST candidate must not have attained the age of 37 years by 1 August 2026.
- For PwBD, etc., as per their applicable limits.
Why the date “1 August” matters
- According to the UPSC age limit, the age is computed as of 1 August of the exam year, not the date of application or exam.
- This means even if the exam is in May or June, the cutoff is 1 August.
- Example: As per the UPSC age limit, if for CSE 2026 you turn 32 on 15 July 2026 (General category), you would be eligible because you haven’t “attained” 32 as of 1 August 2026? Actually, you would have attained 32 before 1 August, so you would not be eligible — careful!
Number of Attempts – How many times can you appear?
Apart from the UPSC age limit, UPSC also limits the number of times you can attempt the exam (for some categories). Each attempt is counted when you appear in the Preliminary exam (not just applying).
Here’s the typical breakdown:
| Category | Number of Attempts Allowed |
| General / EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC/ST | Unlimited attempts (i.e., no fixed number) subject to an upper age limit |
| PwBD (General/OBC) | 9 attempts up to their upper age limit |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | Unlimited attempts up to the age limit applicable) |
Important clarifications
“Unlimited attempts” doesn’t mean forever: you still must meet the age criterion and other eligibility requirements. For the SC/ST category, you may attempt until you hit the age limit (e.g., 37 years), so practically, you have a “window”.
An attempt is counted when you appear in the Prelims (Paper I). Merely filling the form but not appearing may or may not count (depending on rules) — check the specific year notification. You must fulfill both the age criterion and the attempts criterion. Even if you haven’t used all attempts, but you exceed the age limit, you become ineligible.
Example for 2026
If you are a General category candidate, you can attempt up to 6 times, and you must be under or at the age of 32 years as on 1 August 2026. If you are an OBC candidate, you can attempt up to 9 times and must be under at age of 35 years as on 1 August 2026. If SC/ST, you have unlimited attempts up to your upper age limit (37 years typically).
Birth-date interpretation
For the General category: As per the UPSC age limit, if you must not have attained 32 years by 1 August 2026, that means you must have been born on or after 2 August 1994 (for example) and on or before 1 August 2005 to satisfy the “21 years minimum” requirement.
For OBC: born on or after 2 August 1991, perhaps (assuming +3 years), and so forth.
These date ranges vary year to year, so always check the notification’s exact phrasing.
Special cases
If you are an ex-serviceman, or domiciled in J&K, or have a defense disability, more relaxations may apply (in UPSC age limit, attempts), but you must refer to the notification. The rules are cumulative only to the extent permitted — i.e., you may not get “all relaxations” always if they stack beyond what is allowed.
IAS Eligibility 2026 – Educational Qualification
What is the Minimum Qualification Required for the IAS Exam?
Along with the UPSC age limit, there are other criteria too. To appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
The degree can be in any discipline — Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, or Medicine — and can be obtained through regular classes, correspondence, distance education, or open university, as long as the institution is recognized by the Government of India or the UGC.
No minimum percentage is required — you simply need to have passed. Your graduation marks (whether 45% or 90%) do not affect your eligibility in any way.
| Criteria | Requirement |
| Minimum Education | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Stream/Subject | Any discipline |
| Percentage Required | No minimum percentage |
| Mode of Study | Regular / Distance / Open University (if recognized) |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible for Prelims (must show proof for Mains) |
| Professional Degrees Accepted | CA, ICWA, CS, MBBS, etc. |
| Postgraduate Degree | Not mandatory |
Why you must treat these rules as deadlines, not suggestions
These are mandatory eligibility criteria. If you apply and it turns out you exceeded the age or number of attempts, your application will be rejected, or the result will be invalidated. Many aspirants mistakenly assume the UPSC age limit is “approximate” — it’s not. The date of birth and age as of 1 August are strictly used.
Waiting too many years before starting seriously reduces the “attempt window”. For example, if you are a General and you wait until age 30 to begin, you have only 2 years (and maybe 2 attempts) left — high risk. Using up attempts without a strategy is problematic. Each Prelims appearance counts — so if you appear but score very low, you lose one attempt.
For OBC/SC/ST: although relaxations are there, they still have upper bounds — so one cannot endlessly delay preparation.
Planning your preparation around Age & Attempts
Here are some actionable tips for aspirants to align their strategy with the UPSC age limit and attempt rules.
For first-time / younger aspirants (say age 21-25)
You have more “buffer years” — consider building a strong foundational base (reading NCERTs, newspapers, general studies) rather than jumping into full-fledged test-mode immediately. However, don’t wait “too long” unless you build a clear purpose. The “window” is finite. Make a 2–3 year roadmap: first year build coverage, second year test & refine, third year full-tilt. Keep track of how many attempts you plan to use per year and monitor your progress.
For aspirants in mid-twenties (say 26-30 years)
You might have fewer years left, so time becomes “premium”. Consider “serious jump” into strategy mode: mock tests, previous year papers, analysis of weak areas. Make a decision: Is this your “first full attempt year” or are you cycling once more? Use attempt wisely — avoid “wasting” it by being underprepared.
For aspirants near upper age-limits (say 30+ General; 33+ OBC; 35+ SC/ST)
A very realistic assessment is needed: How many attempts are left? How much preparation is possible? The margin of error is small. Avoid risk-taking with the “I’ll try later” philosophy. The “later” might not exist.
Focus on targets: For example, dedicate one cycle (one year) as a “full campaign” with a clearly defined timetable, fallback plan, and short-term revision.
Fallback plan: If you don’t succeed this attempt, what’s next? Some attempts may not remain.
For the reserved category (OBC, SC/ST), considering extra years
Use the extra years wisely. Don’t treat them as “free cushion” to relax. Even if you have unlimited attempts (SC/ST) until age, it’s better to strive sooner than later: longer delay = more life changes (job, marriage, responsibilities) = less time to devote. For PwBD or ex-service categories with extra age, still treat as precious — the competition is the same, resources/time matter.
Strategy for attempt usage
Avoid wasting attempts: Showing up unprepared just to “get a feel” counts as an attempt. That may reduce your usable attempts later.
Prioritize quality over quantity: Success in UPSC is not achieved by appearing many times, but by preparing smartly.
Track each attempt: After each cycle, analyze what went wrong (Prelims, Mains, optional, interview) and fix issues. Don’t repeat the same mistakes.
Plan attempt-exit strategy: If this attempt fails, what is plan B? Will you switch optional? Will you join the service at the state level? Having a fallback helps.
Key Takeaways & Checklist for Aspirants
- Confirm your date of birth and compute your age as on 1 August 2026.
- Check your category (General / OBC / SC / ST / PwBD) and ensure you are eligible for the relaxation you claim.
- Count how many attempts you have already used (if any) and plan how many remain.
- Choose a target attempt year (for example, will this be your first full attempt or a second/third?).
- Align your preparation schedule with the number of years you realistically have before the UPSC age limit or attempt limit.
- Don’t wait “too long” just because you have more allowance; sooner, robust preparation is preferable.
- For reserved categories: use your extra years, but don’t treat them as infinite. Time passes.
- For ex-service, PwBD, and other special categories: get a proper official certificate and confirm the exact rules for your case.
- Read the official notification of UPSC CSE 2026 when released — that’s the final word on age, relaxations, and attempts.
- Use every attempt strategically: prepare, test yourself, and analyze if you appear. Wasting attempts early makes later years harder.
Conclusion
The UPSC age limit and attempt limits for UPSC CSE 2026 set the time frame of your civil services journey. Whether you’re just starting or have been preparing for years, knowing your UPSC age limit helps in crafting a realistic strategy. For the General category, the key numbers are 21–32 years and up to 6 attempts. For OBC, 21–35 years with up to 9 attempts. For SC/ST, up to around 37 years with unlimited attempts (within that age). Beyond that, for PwBD and ex-service categories, further relaxations apply. But eligibility doesn’t guarantee success. It simply defines when you can attempt. Success will depend on smart planning, consistent study, timely revision, mock tests, analysis, and focus. Use your eligible years wisely — don’t let the “window” close because of indecision or lack of strategy.
FAQs and Myth on UPSC Age Limit
If I’m 32 exactly on the exam date, am I eligible?
According to the UPSC age limit, the reference date is 1 August of the exam year, not the exam date. If you have attained 32 years by 1 Aug, you’ll be ineligible for the General category. For example, if your 32nd birthday is 31 July 2026, you’re over. If it’s 2 Aug 2026, you’re eligible. Always check the “must not have attained” language in the notification.
Does applying but not attending Prelims count as an attempt?
Typically, an attempt is counted when you appear for the Prelims paper I. Merely applying and not appearing may not always count, but you should check the specific year’s instructions. One source says: “Appearing to attempt one of the papers in the preliminary examination is counted as an attempt, including disqualification/cancellation of candidature.
Can I combine age-relaxation categories (e.g., OBC + ex-serviceman)?
Yes, in some cases, relaxations can be cumulative (e.g., OBC + ex-serviceman). But there are specific rules, and one must check the notification’s exact wording. For example, PwBD + SC/ST can get cumulative.
If I cross the age limit but haven’t used all attempts, am I eligible?
No. You must satisfy both the UPSC age limit and the attempt limit simultaneously. If you exceed the age limit, you become ineligible, regardless of unused attempts.