UPSC Reservation for SC, ST, EWS, OBC, & Other Categories
Reservation in UPSC involves setting aside a certain percentage of seats for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and EWS in the Civil Services Exam. The eligibility criteria and the percentage of reservation in UPSC are discussed here.
Anil Solonki30 Jul, 2025
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Reservation in UPSC is an essential aspect of the recruitment process, aimed at providing equal opportunities to candidates from marginalized and underrepresented communities. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) applies a certain percentage of reservation in the Civil Services Examination as per the affirmative action policies of the Indian Government and constitutional mandates.
Accordingly, candidates from specific categories are granted relaxations in age, number of attempts, and cutoff marks. Reservation in UPSC is implemented in accordance with the policies set by the Government of India to ensure social justice and inclusivity in the country's administrative system. Read on to learn more about the reservation in UPSC and how to avail it.UPSC Reservation Percentage
The UPSC reservation system was introduced to benefit the disadvantaged section of the country that faced the lack of representation in elite government services. This followed the Constitution's guidelines to ensure equality of opportunity for all citizens. The total reservation in UPSC is divided into the following categories:| UPSC Reservation Percentage | |
| Category | Percentage of Reservation |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 27% |
| Schedule Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Schedule Tribes (ST) | 7.5% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 4% |
UPSC Reservation Eligibility
To avail of the benefit of the reservation, candidates need to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria mentioned in the official notification of UPSC CSE recruitment. The eligibility criteria for reservation in UPSC is as follows:- Category in UPSC Reservation List: Candidates whose community/caste/category is included in the UPSC reservation list as per the list published by the Central Government in the official gazette.
- Non-creamy Layer Certificate: The OBC category candidates must belong to the non-creamy layer and produce a certificate in favor of the same.
- Income & Asset Certificate: This applies to EWS candidates who must have proof of income below the ceiling set by the government and have the requisite I&A certificate for the respective financial year.
- Valid Certificate to Claim: Candidates from SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/Ex-servicemen must have valid certificates issued by the designated government authorities as proof of their eligibility criteria.
How to Apply for Reservation in UPSC?
There is no separate portal or form to apply for the reservation in UPSC. Candidates need to select their respective category in the IAS application form which will serve as their application/claim for reservation in the following process. The basic guidelines to apply for a reservation are as follows:- Select your category in the UPSC Prelims application form.
- Ensure that you have all the required documents and you will need to submit them for verification during the DAF I and personality test.
- The category once submitted will not be changed in any circumstances including PwBD type.
- General category candidates will not be allowed to change to a different category after submitting the application.
Reservation in UPSC for OBC Category
Candidates who belong to the non-creamy layer of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) are provided with 27% reservation in UPSC. Based on this, the following relaxation is available to OBC candidates:| UPSC Reservation for OBC | |
| Criteria | Relaxation |
| Age Limit |
|
| Upper Age Relaxation | 3 years |
| Number of Attempts | 09 |
| Attempts Relaxation Compared to General Category | 3 |
| Application Fees | Rs. 100/- (Male Candidates) |
Reservation in UPSC for SC/ST Category
The categories of Schedule Caste (SC) and Schedule Tribes (ST) have 15% and 7.5% reservations in UPSC respectively. However, the age and attempt limit for both categories are the same only the UPSC cut-off varies for the SC and ST categories:| UPSC Reservation for SC/ST | |
| Criteria | Relaxation |
| Age Limit |
|
| Upper Age Relaxation | 5 years |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited (Till maximum age) |
| Application Fees | Exempted |
Candidate can check UPSC Prelims Disblity Support Here
Reservation in UPSC for EWS Category
UPSC has a 10% reservation for the EWS category as per the 103rd Constitution Amendment Act 2019. According to this, candidates who belong to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the general category having an annual income of less than Rs.8 lakhs are eligible for reservation provided:- Candidates do not belong to SC, ST, or OBC categories.
- The annual gross income of family members is less than Rs. 8 lakhs for the respective financial year.
- The family members (parents, siblings, and spouses) do not own agricultural land with a size of 5 acres or more.
- The family members do not have 1000 square feet or a larger residential apartment.
- The family members do not have a plot/home in the notified municipalities with an area of 100 square yards or more or less than 200 square yards.
| UPSC Reservation for EWS | |
| Criteria | Relaxation |
| Age Limit |
|
| Upper Age Relaxation | No |
| Number of Attempts | 06 |
| Attempts Relaxation | No |
| Application Fees | Rs. 100/- (Male Candidates) |
Reservation in UPSC for PwBD Category
According to the guidelines of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016), UPSC offers reservations for Persons with Benchmark Disability. For instance, in the UPSC 2023 result, 30 PwBD category candidates were recommended out of a total of 1016 candidates. Here are the criteria for PwBD or PH reservation in UPSC:- Candidates must have a disability of at least 40% to be eligible:
- They must submit a valid disability certificate issued by a Central or State constituted medical board.
| UPSC Reservation for PwBD | |
| Criteria | Relaxation |
| Age Limit |
|
| Upper Age Relaxation | 10 years |
| Number of Attempts |
|
| Application Fees | Exempted |
UPSC Reservation Cut off
Since there is a reservation in UPSC for various categories, the cut-off for Prelims, Mains, and final stages varies category-wise. This ensures equality in representation in the top administrative services of the country. Here is the category-wise UPSC 2023 exam cut-off as per reservation percentage:| UPSC Cut off 2023 | |||
| Category | UPSC Prelims Cut Off | UPSC Mains Cut Off | UPSC Final Cut Off |
| General | 75.41 | 741 | 953 |
| EWS | 68.02 | 706 | 923 |
| OBC | 74.75 | 712 | 919 |
| SC | 59.25 | 694 | 890 |
| ST | 47.82 | 692 | 891 |
| PwBD 1 | 40.40 | 673 | 894 |
| PwBD 2 | 47.13 | 718 | 930 |
| PwBD 3 | 40.40 | 396 | 756 |
| PwBD 5 | 33.68 | 445 | 589 |
Reservation in UPSC FAQs
Is there any reservation in UPSC CSE?
Yes. There is a reservation in UPSC for certain categories such as SC, ST, and OBC.
What is the OBC quota in UPSC CSE?
There is a 27% reservation quota for OBC in UPSC.
What is the percentage of reservations in UPSC?
The reservation percentages in UPSC are 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC, and 10% for EWS.
Is there a reservation in UPSC Mains?
There is no separate reservation for Mains, however, the cut-off will be prepared separately for all categories based on reservation criteria.
Which category has the highest reservation in UPSC?
The OBC category has the highest reservation in UPSC.
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