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UPSC Eligibility 2025, Age Limit, Qualification, Attempts

UPSC Eligibility 2025 details are provided here. Applicants can examine the UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2025 in terms of age limit, number of attempts, and educational qualification in this detailed guide.
authorImageGaurav Soni28 Jan, 2025
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UPSC Eligibility 2025, Age Limit, Qualification, Attempts

UPSC Eligibility 2025: Every year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) administers the Civil Services Examination in order to choose and appoint candidates to the esteemed national civil services. To begin studying for one of the most prominent competitive tests in India, you must have all the information you need about UPSC eligibility 2025 criteria.

The UPSC Eligibility 2025 Criteria are based on nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and number of attempts. On January 22, 2025, the UPSC officially announced the IAS 2025 eligibility requirements. Keep reading to understand the key aspects of UPSC eligibility for 2025.

UPSC Eligibility 2025

As aspiring candidates gear up for the 2025 examination, understanding the eligibility criteria becomes crucial for effective preparation. UPSC Eligibility 2025 criteria include age limits, educational qualifications, and nationality requirements, which collectively determine who can apply for the exam.
UPSC Eligibility 2025 Overview
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification Graduation/Final Year or equivalent degree from a recognized university.
Age Limit 21 - 32 years
Age Relaxation
  • SC/ST: Up to 5 years
  • OBC: Up to 3 years
  • Other Categories: Additional relaxations for disabled candidates and ex-servicemen.
Total Attempts
  • General: 6 attempts
  • OBC: 9 attempts
  • SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the age limit is reached.
Nationality
  • Indian Citizens
  • Citizens of Nepal/Bhutan
  • Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who have migrated with the intention to settle in India.
Medical Standards Candidates must be medically fit as per UPSC standards.

U PSC Eligibility 2025 - Nationality

For the UPSC 2025 examination, the nationality requirements are as follows:
  • Candidates applying for Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Services (IPS) services must be Indian citizens.
  • Candidates for all other services, such as Indian Revenue Services (IRS), etc., may be immigrants from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, and Vietnam; or they may be citizens of India; subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibet refugee; or they may be persons of Indian origin (PIO) who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, intending to settle there permanently.
Except for Indian citizens, all applicants (for services other than IAS and IPS) must provide an eligibility certificate from the Indian government. Candidates may, however, take the test before obtaining the aforementioned eligibility documentation.

UPSC Eligibility 2025 - Educational Qualifications

According to the UPSC Eligibility 2025, candidates must have to have a recognized graduation degree or an equivalent qualification. Candidates who are in their final year of graduation can also apply, provided they can submit proof of their degree during the subsequent stages. Also, the candidate's bachelor's degree must be accepted by all universities in the following ways:
Incorporated by an Act of the Indian State and Central Legislature, or any educational institution founded by an Act of the Indian Parliament, or one designated as a presumed university by virtue of Section 3 of the 1956 University Grants Commission Act.
Regarding the qualifying criteria, applicants should be aware of the following variations from the educational requirements: Final exam of MBBS/medical course : If you have passed your MBBS or medical degree final exam but have not yet finished your internship, then:
  • If you include a copy of the certificate from your university or institute proving that you passed the final medical test with your application, you will still be granted temporary permission to apply for UPSC Mains.
  • In this instance, in order to be awarded a degree during the interview phase, you must have an original degree or a certificate from your university certifying that you have fulfilled all requirements (including finishing the internship).
Technical and Professional Qualifications: You will be able to take this test if you have professional and technical qualifications that the government has recognized as being on par with a professional and technical degree.

UPSC Eligibility 2025 - Age Limit

The UPSC 2025 Age Limit is one requirement that candidates must fulfill in order to take the exam. As of August 1, 2025 , the UPSC's standard is that candidates must be at least 21 years old and no older than 32. This suggests that a candidate must be born between August 2, 1993, and August 1, 2004 , in order to be eligible for the exam. Applicants should carefully evaluate their age ranges before applying to ensure they fit inside them, which is:
UPSC Age Limit 2025
Category Minimum Age Relaxation Maximum Age
General 21 Years No Relaxation 32 Years
OBC 21 Years 32+3 Years 35 Years
SC/ST 21 Years 32+5 Years 37 Years
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) 21 Years 32+10 Years 42 Years
EEx-Defence Services Personnel discharged from duty due to disability General: 21 Years 32+3 Years 35 Years
OBC: 21 Years 32+3+3 Years 38 Years
SC/ST: 21 Years 32+3+5 Years 40 Years
Ex-servicemen/ECOs/(SSCOs (completed 5 years of service under certain conditions) General: 21 Years 32+5 Years 37 Years
OBC: 21 Years 32+5+3 Years 40 Years
SC/ST: 21 Years 32+5+5 Years 42 Years

Number of Attempts for UPSC 2025

A candidate must meet a maximum of attempts as one of the prerequisites to be eligible for the Civil Services Examination, as established by UPSC. It is critical to note that a candidate's attempt is counted if they appear in one paper of the preliminary examination. The table below summarizes the number of attempts for UPSC 2025:
UPSC 2025 Age Limit and Attempts
Category Maximum Age Number of Attempts
General/Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) 32 6
Other Backward Classes (OBC) 35 9
Scheduled Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribes (ST) 37 Unlimited
Person with Benchmark DisabilityPwBD 42 GL/EWS/OBC – 09

SC/ST – Unlimited

UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2025 Key Points

Candidates applying for the UPSC CSE 2025 exam should be aware of two key conditions.
  1. First, there are restrictions on reapplying after selection : any candidate who has been appointed to the IAS or IFS through a previous exam cannot apply again unless they first resign from their post. Additionally, candidates selected for the IPS who are currently serving cannot opt for the IPS again in the 2025 exam.
  2. Second, candidates must meet specific medical and physical fitness standards outlined in the UPSC notification. Physical tests will be conducted after the interview, and candidates applying for services like IPS must be declared physically fit by the board to be eligible for allocation.
Want guidance to prepare well for UPSC 2025? Enroll today in PW UPSC Online courses .

UPSC Eligibility 2025 FAQs

What is the age limit for applicants in the UPSC General category?

The age restriction for General Category in UPSC CSE is 21 years to 32 years.

Which educational qualifications are required by UPSC?

A candidate must hold a graduate degree in any stream to be eligible for the IAS exam. Final-year students are also eligible to apply, provided they can submit proof of qualifying for the degree during document verification.

Can 12th grade graduates apply for the UPSC exam?

No. A student who has completed their 12th grade is not eligible to qualify for the IAS exam since the minimum UPSC criterion for educational requirements is graduation with a bachelor's degree.

Can someone with a diploma apply for UPSC?

No, a diploma holder is not qualified to take the UPSC Civil Services test. To take the test, aspirants must apply with at least a graduation degree.

Who is eligible for the UPSC CSE 2025?

Candidates who are at least 21 years old and have completed their graduation can apply, provided they are not older than 32 years. To apply for services like IAS, IFS, and IPS, candidates must be Indian citizens.
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