What Is the UPSC Attempt Limit for General, OBC, and SC/ST Candidates in 2026?

One of the first and most important questions every UPSC aspirant asks is: “How many attempts do I actually have?” “What is my UPSC attempt limit?
The answer is not the same for everyone.

The UPSC Number of Attempts 2026 depends on your category, age, and eligibility status. Understanding this clearly is important—not just to avoid disqualification, but to plan your preparation smartly, strategically, and calmly.

Some candidates crack the Civil Services Examination in their first attempt, while others succeed after multiple tries. UPSC recognises this journey and allows a limited but fair number of attempts, with necessary relaxations for different categories.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about UPSC attempts and age limits for 2026—clearly, simply, and accurately.

Why Understanding UPSC Attempts Is So Important

Let me be very direct with you.

UPSC is not just an exam of knowledge.
It is an exam of decision-making, patience, and long-term planning.

Every attempt:

• Takes one full year of your life
• Demands emotional, mental, and financial investment
• Comes with pressure from family, society, and yourself
  

So before you even think about optional subjects, mock tests, or answer writing, you must understand:

• How many times does UPSC allow you to appear
  
• Till what age are you eligible
  
• Whether relaxations apply to you
  

Only then can you prepare without fear and confusion.

UPSC Eligibility 2026: The Foundation You Cannot Ignore

To appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026, you must satisfy three eligibility conditions:

1. Nationality
   
2. Educational qualification
   
3. Age limit and number of attempts
   

Among these, the age limit and attempt rule create the maximum confusion.

Important Date to Remember

• Age is calculated as of 1st August 2026
  

If you cross the prescribed upper age limit even by one day, you are not eligible—no matter how well prepared you are.

What Exactly Counts as an Attempt in UPSC?

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects.

Let me clarify it very clearly.

An attempt is counted only when you appear for the UPSC Preliminary Examination.

• Filling the application form does NOT count as an attempt
  
• Downloading the admit card does NOT count
  
• Skipping Prelims after applying does NOT count
  
• Appearing even for one paper of Prelims DOES count
  

So the moment you sit for the Prelims exam, that year is counted as one attempt, regardless of whether you clear it or not.

This is why appearing “just for experience” is often a costly mistake.

UPSC Number of Attempts 2026: Category-Wise Overview

Now, let us come to the most important part.

The UPSC has clearly defined attempt limits and age limits based on categories. These rules are not arbitrary; they are framed to balance opportunity with fairness.

Category	Maximum Age Limit (as of 1st August 2026)	Number of Attempts
General	32 years	6
EWS	32 years	6
OBC	35 years	9
SC/ST	37 years	Unlimited
PwBD (General/OBC)	42 years	9
PwBD (SC/ST)	42 years	Unlimited
Ex-Servicemen	37 years	As per the category
Defence Personnel (Disabled)	35 years	As per the category

What Are the UPSC Attempt Limits and Age Criteria for General Category Candidates?

If you belong to the General category, these are the rules you must remember:

Parameter	Details
Maximum Attempts	6
Upper Age Limit	32 years
Minimum Age	21 years

This is the most restricted category in terms of attempts.

What this means in real life:

• You cannot afford casual attempts
  
• You must be mentally prepared before every Prelims
  
• Each attempt must show improvement over the previous one
  

Many General category toppers clear UPSC in their first or second attempt, not because they are lucky, but because they respect the value of each attempt.

How Many UPSC Attempts Are Allowed for EWS Category Candidates?

Candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) have the same limits as General category candidates.

Parameter	Details
Maximum Attempts	6
Upper Age Limit	32 years

There is no additional relaxation in attempts or age beyond the General category limits.

This means EWS candidates must follow the same disciplined, well-planned approach as General candidates.

What Is the UPSC Attempt Limit for OBC Aspirants?

If you belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, you have more flexibility.

Parameter	Details
Maximum Attempts	9
Upper Age Limit	35 years

This additional window is significant.

It allows you:

• More time to understand the exam
  
• Room to recover from early mistakes
  
• Opportunity to refine answer writing and optional subjects
  

However, more attempts should not mean delayed seriousness. Many successful OBC candidates clear UPSC within their first 3–4 attempts by using this flexibility wisely.

Is There Any Limit on UPSC Attempts for SC/ST Category Aspirants?

For SC and ST category candidates, the rules are the most relaxed.

Parameter	Details
Maximum Attempts	Unlimited
Upper Age Limit	37 years

This means:

• There is no restriction on the number of times you can appear
  
• The only restriction is age
  

But do not misunderstand this.

Unlimited attempts does NOT mean unlimited time or energy. Age, mental fatigue, and responsibilities still matter. Successful SC/ST candidates focus on quality preparation, not endless attempts.

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UPSC Attempts for PwBD Candidates

Candidates with Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) receive additional age relaxation.

PwBD (General/OBC)

Parameter	Details
Maximum Attempts	9
Upper Age Limit	42 years

PwBD (SC/ST)

Parameter	Details
Maximum Attempts	Unlimited
Upper Age Limit	42 years

This relaxation recognises the additional challenges faced by PwBD candidates and ensures a fair opportunity.

What Disabilities Are Covered Under the PwBD Category in UPSC?

PwBD age relaxation applies to candidates with benchmark disabilities, such as:

• Blindness and low vision
  
• Deaf and hard of hearing
  
• Locomotor disability (including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims)
  
• Autism, intellectual disability, learning disability, mental illness
  
• Multiple disabilities
  

PwBD candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, or Ex-Servicemen categories can avail of cumulative age relaxation.

Do Ex-Servicemen Get Extra UPSC Attempts and Age Relaxation?

Yes, ex-servicemen receive age relaxation, but attempts are governed by category.

Category	Maximum Attempts	Upper Age Limit
General/OBC	9	37 years
SC/ST	Unlimited	37 years

This rule acknowledges service to the nation while maintaining a balance in examinations.

UPSC Attempts for Disabled Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations

Category	Maximum Attempts	Upper Age Limit
General/OBC	9	35 years
SC/ST	Unlimited	37 years

Understanding Cumulative Age Relaxation (Very Important)

Understanding Combined Age Relaxation is very important because it can completely change your exam eligibility.

Many students believe that age relaxation is given only once. But in reality, different age relaxations can be added together if you fall under more than one eligible category. This is known as combined age relaxation, and it works in your favour.

Let’s simply explain this.

If you belong to the OBC category, you get an age relaxation of 3 years. Now, if you are also an Ex-Serviceman, you are eligible for another 5 years of age relaxation. These benefits do not replace each other—they are added together.

So, 3 years plus 5 years means you get a total of 8 extra years.

If the normal upper age limit for the exam is 32 years, adding these 8 years increases your new age limit to 40 years. This can make you eligible even when you thought you were already overage.

This combined age benefit can give you more chances, more attempts, and more time to prepare. That is why reading the official notification carefully is very important. Many candidates miss good opportunities simply because they do not know that age relaxations can be added.

Before deciding that you are not eligible, always check your age properly. You might still have a strong chance.

Minimum Age Requirement for UPSC 2026

• A candidate must be at least 21 years old as of 1st August 2026
  

There is no relaxation in the minimum age.

How to Plan UPSC Preparation Based on Your Attempts

This is the stage where strategy becomes more important than rules. Your number of attempts should shape how seriously, smartly, and urgently you prepare.

If you have 6 attempts, you cannot afford trial-and-error.
Every attempt must be well-planned and purposeful. You need clear basics, strong answer-writing practice, and realistic mock analysis before you even think of appearing. Each attempt should move you significantly closer to selection.

If you have 9 attempts, you do have some space to learn and improve, but this should never lead to complacency. Extra attempts are not extra chances to be casual. They are opportunities to refine your strategy, strengthen weak areas, and build consistency—step by step.

If you have unlimited attempts, it may sound comforting, but the danger is delay. Even with unlimited chances, you still need urgency, discipline, and sharp focus. Without pressure, preparation can stretch endlessly, which often harms performance more than it helps.

The most successful candidates share one common habit:
They never count attempts casually. Every attempt is treated as if it is the final and most important one. This mindset brings seriousness, better planning, and stronger execution—qualities that matter far more than the number of attempts you have.

Why Many Aspirants Fail Despite Multiple Attempts

Let me be honest with you.

Most aspirants do not fail because they lack intelligence or ability. UPSC is not about being the smartest person in the room. In reality, many failures happen for much simpler—and more avoidable—reasons.

One major reason is poor planning. Many students start preparing without a clear roadmap. They read randomly, keep changing resources, and never define what “ready” actually means for Prelims, Mains, or Interviews.

Another big reason is the lack of proper guidance. Without the right direction, aspirants often focus on the wrong areas, ignore exam trends, or misjudge the level of depth required. Hard work without guidance often leads to wasted effort.

Many aspirants also fail because they repeat the same mistakes in every attempt. They write answers the same way, follow the same strategy, and expect different results. Unfortunately, UPSC does not reward routine preparation.

Perhaps the most damaging mistake is appearing for the exam without real improvement. Just showing up year after year is not progress. If your knowledge, answer quality, time management, and test scores remain the same, the result will also remain the same.

UPSC does not reward repetition.
It rewards growth, learning, and correction.
Those who identify their weaknesses and improve with every attempt are the ones who finally succeed.

Strategies to Maximise Your UPSC Attempts

If you want to make the most of your UPSC attempts, the difference lies in how you prepare, not how many chances you get. Successful candidates follow certain habits consistently, and these habits help them improve with every attempt.

First, they prepare with a long-term vision. They do not study only to “clear this year.” Instead, they build strong fundamentals that will support them across multiple stages and attempts. Their preparation is structured, realistic, and sustainable.

Second, they analyse every failed attempt honestly and deeply. Instead of feeling discouraged, they look for answers. They identify where they went wrong—whether it was Prelims accuracy, Mains answer structure, time management, or optional performance—and fix those gaps before the next attempt.

Third, they work on answer writing continuously. Writing better answers is a skill that improves only with regular practice and feedback. Successful aspirants refine their structure, clarity, and relevance with every test and every attempt.

They also stay updated with current affairs but avoid information overload. Rather than reading everything, they focus on what is relevant to the syllabus and exam trends. Smart selection of sources saves time and improves recall.

Another key factor is that they seek mentorship and guidance. A mentor helps point out blind spots that aspirants often cannot see on their own, preventing repeated mistakes and wasted effort.

Finally, they take care of their mental health and emotional balance. UPSC preparation is a long journey. Those who manage stress, stay disciplined, and maintain physical and mental well-being are far more likely to sustain consistency and perform at their best.

Maximising your UPSC attempts is not about luck.
It is about learning, improving, and evolving with every single attempt.

Can UPSC Increase Attempts in the Future?

As of now, no official notification suggests any change in UPSC attempt limits for 2026.

Aspirants should always rely on official UPSC notifications, not rumours or social media speculation.

Final Thoughts: Attempts Are Not the Enemy

Your number of attempts is not meant to scare you.
It is meant to discipline you.

UPSC does not expect you to be perfect in one attempt. It understands that this exam is a long journey. What it looks for is learning, steady improvement, and maturity with time. Every attempt is supposed to shape you into a better, more prepared candidate than before.

Whether you clear UPSC in your first attempt or your fifth, the real question is not the number. What truly matters is how you used each chance you were given.

Ask yourself honestly:
Did you use every attempt wisely, or did you treat some of them casually?
Did you learn from your failures and grow stronger, or did you repeat the same mistakes?
Did you respect the process—the discipline, the patience, and the consistency that UPSC demands?

When you approach your preparation with this mindset, results follow naturally. If you keep improving, stay sincere to the process, and remain focused, success becomes a matter of time—not luck.