“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 for 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 | Details |
| Age Limit | Minimum: 21 yearsMaximum: 32 years (must not have completed 32 years) |
| Age Relaxation | OBC: 3 yearsSC/ST: 5 yearsPwBD: 10 years |
| Educational Requirement | Must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university |
| Number of Attempts | General: 6OBC & PwBD: 9SC/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 Handicapped) | 21 years | +10 years | 42 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Discharged due to disability) | 21 years | +3 years | 35 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Released due to disability): OBC | 21 years | +6 years (3+3) | 38 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Released due to disability): SC/ST | 21 years | +8 years (3+5) | 40 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (After completing 5+ years of service): General | 21 years | +5 years | 37 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (After 5+ years): OBC | 21 years | +8 years (5+3) | 40 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (After 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. - Defense 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.
- Due to the completion of the assignment, or
- 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
The UPSC also allows cumulative age relaxation in certain special cases, as mentioned in its official notification:
- Dual Eligibility for Age Relaxation:
If you fall under more than one eligible category — for example, if you’re both SC/ST/OBC and also physically disabled or an ex-serviceman — you can combine the age relaxation benefits from both categories. - Conditions for PwBD Age Relaxation:
To avail of age relaxation due to a physical disability, candidates must meet the medical and physical standards prescribed for PwBD by the government. A valid disability certificate issued by a competent government authority is mandatory.
- Definition of Ex-Servicemen:
The term ‘Ex-servicemen’ is defined as per the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, and any amendments made thereafter.
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.
This is a basic but essential requirement to ensure that all applicants meet the minimum academic standard expected for administrative roles.
UPSC Educational Qualification for the 2025 Exam
| Exam | Educational Qualification |
| Civil Services Exam | Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification.Candidates with professional or technical degrees (e.g., BE, MBBS) recognized by the government are also eligible to apply. |
UPSC Educational Qualification Criteria
To be eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), a candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.
A recognized university means
- An institution established by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature,
- Or declared as a deemed university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956,
- Or an educational institute established by an Act of Parliament.
Exceptions in Educational Eligibility
Well, there are some important exceptions to keep in mind:
- Final-Year Students:
- If you are in your final year of graduation or awaiting results, you can apply for the Prelims.
- But if you clear the Prelims, you must submit proof of passing your degree before the Mains application.
- If you are in your final year of graduation or awaiting results, you can apply for the Prelims.
- Degrees from Non-Listed Universities:
- UPSC may, in certain cases, accept graduation from universities not listed above, provided the degree is recognized as equivalent.
- UPSC may, in certain cases, accept graduation from universities not listed above, provided the degree is recognized as equivalent.
- Professional & Technical Degrees:
- Degrees such as engineering, CA, ICWA, or medical qualifications recognized by the government are valid for eligibility.
- Degrees such as engineering, CA, ICWA, or medical qualifications recognized by the government are valid for eligibility.
- MBBS/Medical Candidates:
- If you’ve passed your final MBBS exam but not completed your internship, you can still apply for Mains provisionally.
- You must submit a passing certificate at the Mains stage and complete your internship before the Interview.
- If you’ve passed your final MBBS exam but not completed your internship, you can still apply for Mains provisionally.
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: UPSC Number of Attempts
| Category | Maximum Attempts | Age Limit |
| General | 6 attempts | Should not have completed 32 years |
| OBC | 9 attempts | Should not have completed 35 years |
| SC/ST | Unlimited (until upper age limit is reached) | Should not have completed 37 years |
| PwBD (Blind, Deaf-mute, Orthopedically Handicapped) | General: 9OBC: 9SC/ST: Unlimited | As per respective category age limit |
| Ex-servicemen (Discharged due to disability) | As per category-wise eligibility (Gen/OBC/SC/ST/PwBD) | As per respective category age limit |
| Ex-servicemen (Discharged after 5 years of service) | As per category-wise eligibility (Gen/OBC/SC/ST/PwBD) | As per respective category age limit |
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025 Nationality Criteria
To apply for the UPSC CSE, a candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS):
- Candidates must be citizens of India.
- Candidates must be citizens of India.
- For Other Services: Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal
- Subject of Bhutan
- Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, intending to settle permanently
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) to permanently settle in India
- Citizen of India
Important Notes:
- Candidates falling under categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 must obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. While they can sit for the examination without this certificate, the appointment will only be confirmed upon submission of the eligibility certificate.
- Individuals from categories 2, 3, and 4 are not eligible for appointment to the 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
There are some restrictions on applying for the exam if you’ve already selected
- If you have already been selected and appointed to IAS or IFS and continue to serve in either, you cannot appear for the CSE in that year.
- If you are already in the Indian Police Service (IPS), you can still appear for the CSE, but you cannot opt 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 Borthakur’s 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.