Eligibility Criteria

UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025  - Age, Qualification, Nationality, Medical Standards
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious competitive exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. To be eligible for the UPSC CSE, candidates must meet certain criteria, which include the following:

Nationality:

Candidates must be citizens of India, or
Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
Individuals of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit:

The minimum age limit for candidates is 21 years.
The maximum age limit varies based on the category:
General category: 32 years
OBC (Other Backward Classes): 35 years
SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): 37 years
Defense Services Personnel, disabled in operations during hostilities: 35 years
Ex-servicemen including commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs: 37 years
Candidates domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1989: 37 years
Physically disabled candidates (blind, deaf-mute, locomotor disability): 42 years
Educational Qualification:

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from any recognized university. Candidates who are awaiting their results or are in the final year of their degree course are also eligible to apply. However, they must produce the proof of passing the exam with their application for the main exam.
Number of Attempts: