The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a prestigious body responsible for conducting civil service examinations in India, including the renowned Civil Services Examination (CSE). Aspiring individuals aiming to pursue a career in the civil services must meet certain eligibility criteria set forth by the UPSC. These criteria serve as fundamental benchmarks to ensure the selection of competent candidates for various administrative positions within the government. The UPSC eligibility criteria encompass a range of factors such as age limit, educational qualifications, nationality, and more, thereby establishing a framework to assess the suitability of candidates for the demanding roles within the Indian bureaucracy. Understanding and fulfilling these criteria are pivotal steps for candidates aspiring to embark on the challenging yet rewarding journey of civil service examination conducted by the UPSC.
UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024
Prospective UPSC 2024 candidates are advised to review the official notification to be unveiled on February 14, 2024, to ascertain their eligibility criteria:
Age Limit – 21 to 32 Years
Age Relaxation – OBC – 3 Years; SC/ ST – 5 Years
Minimum Educational Qualification – Graduation
Number of Attempts – General/EWS – 6; OBC/PWBD – 9; SC/ST – Unlimited
Nationality – Indian Citizen
UPSC Age Limit
- For the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), the age limit for general category candidates was 32 years.
- For candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), the age limit was 35 years.
- For candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the age limit was 37 years.
- There were additional relaxations for certain categories such as ex-servicemen, disabled candidates, etc.
| UPSC Age Limit |
| 1. General Category = 32 Years |
| 2. OBC – 32+3=35 Years |
| 3. SC/STs – 32+5=37 Years |
| 4. Additional Relaxations for ex-servicemen, disabled candidates, etc. |
UPSC Age Relaxation
The age relaxation for UPSC exams varies depending on categories. Here’s a general breakdown:
- General Category: The maximum age limit is usually 32 years.
- OBC (Other Backward Classes): Candidates from the OBC category usually get a relaxation of up to 3 years, which means the maximum age limit is 35 years.
- SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): SC/ST candidates usually get a relaxation of up to 5 years, making the maximum age limit 37 years.
- PH (Physically Handicapped): There’s typically an additional relaxation of 10 years for PH candidates from the general category, making the maximum age limit 42 years.
- J&K Domicile: Candidates from Jammu and Kashmir usually get an age relaxation of up to 5 years.
- Ex-Servicemen and Commissioned Officers: There’s usually an age relaxation of up to 5 years for Ex-Servicemen including Commissioned Officers (ECOs)/Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs).
| UPSC Age Relaxation |
| 1. General Category = 32 Years |
| 2. OBC – 32+3=35 Years |
| 3. SC/STs – 32+5=37 Years |
| 4. Physically Handicapped – 32+10=42 Years |
| 5. Candidates from Jammu and Kashmir – 32+5=37 Years |
| 6. Ex-Servicemen and Commissioned Officers – 32+5=37 Years |
UPSC Qualification
The educational qualification required for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exams varies depending on the specific exam and the post for which one is applying. However, for the Civil Services Examination, which is one of the most prominent exams conducted by UPSC, the basic requirement is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
For some specific services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), etc., candidates from diverse academic backgrounds such as humanities, science, engineering, medicine, etc., are eligible to apply.
It’s important to note that while a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, many successful candidates often have higher qualifications such as post-graduate degrees or professional qualifications. Additionally, there are certain age limits and nationality criteria that applicants must also fulfill.
UPSC Nationality Criteria
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts various civil service examinations in India, including the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exams. The nationality criteria for these exams are as follows:
- Citizenship:
- For the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service, a candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services like the Indian Foreign Service, a candidate can be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A citizen of Nepal, or
- A citizen of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam to permanently settle in India.
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan:
- Candidates belonging to Nepal or Bhutan need not produce an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India. However, they must be able to produce a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India when selected.
- Tibetan Refugee and Indian Origin:
- Candidates in these categories must produce a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
- PIO (Person of Indian Origin):
- A candidate in this category must furnish a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Number of Attempts in UPSC
The number of attempts allowed for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examinations varies depending on the category of the candidate:
- For General Category Candidates: They are allowed a maximum of 6 attempts until they reach the upper age limit for appearing in the exam.
- For OBC (Other Backward Classes) Candidates: They are allowed a maximum of 9 attempts until they reach the upper age limit.
- For SC/ST (Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe) Candidates: There’s no restriction on the number of attempts until they reach the upper age limit.
- For Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): The number of attempts varies based on their category. For example, general category PwBD candidates are allowed a maximum of 9 attempts, while there is no restriction for SC/ST PwBD candidates until they reach the upper age limit.
| Number of Attempts in UPSC |
| 1. General Category – 6 Attempts |
| 2. OBC (Other Backward Classes) Candidates – 6+3 = 9 Attempts |
| 3. SC/ST (Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe) Candidates – Unlimited Attempts till 37 Years |
| 4. Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) – 6+3 = 9 attempts |
UPSC Physical Eligibility – Medical and Physical Standards
The physical and medical standards for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examinations, particularly for positions such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other civil services, are quite stringent. Candidates are required to meet certain physical and medical criteria to be eligible for these positions. Here are some general guidelines:
1. Medical Standards:
- Candidates must be physically and mentally fit according to the prescribed standards.
- Any deformity or disability likely to interfere with the efficient performance of duties will render a candidate unfit for selection.
- Candidates with diseases like vision impairment, hearing impairment, physical disability, etc., might be disqualified unless these can be corrected through medical intervention.
- Visual standards, particularly for positions in the IPS and other services, are quite strict. Candidates must have good distant and near vision, and they shouldn’t have color blindness.
2. Physical Standards:
- Height and Chest measurements may be specified for certain positions like IPS.
- There might be requirements for minimum height, chest expansion, etc., which vary based on the specific service.
- Candidates are often required to meet certain physical fitness standards, which might include endurance tests, running tests, etc.
- Physical standards are generally designed to ensure that candidates are capable of performing duties that might involve physical activity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the minimum educational qualification required for the UPSC exam?
Answer: The minimum educational qualification required for the UPSC exam is a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent qualification.
Q: What is the age limit for appearing in the UPSC exam?
Answer: The age limit for candidates appearing in the UPSC exam varies according to the category. For general category candidates, the maximum age limit is 32 years. However, there are relaxations for candidates belonging to reserved categories such as OBC, SC, ST, etc.
Q: Is there any restriction on the number of attempts for the UPSC exam?
Answer: Yes, there are restrictions on the number of attempts for the UPSC exam. For general category candidates, the maximum number of attempts is 6. However, there are relaxations for candidates belonging to reserved categories.
Q: What are the nationality requirements for the UPSC exam?
Answer: To be eligible for the UPSC exam, a candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Q: Are there any physical standards required for the UPSC exam?
Answer: Yes, there are certain physical standards required for specific services like the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). Candidates must meet the prescribed physical standards as per the respective notifications.
Q: Can foreign nationals apply for the UPSC exam?
Answer: No, foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for the UPSC exam unless they are of Indian origin as mentioned in the eligibility criteria.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
