Panel to Govt: Lower the Upper Age Limit for UPSC Exam

A panel set up by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will be recommending the government to reduce the upper age limit for candidates appearing in the Civil Services examination.

The committee, headed by former education secretary BS Baswan, was formed in the last August by the Central Government to revamp the civil services examination.

Introduction of aptitude test in the UPSC preliminary exam by the previous government, has driven objections from the candidates. Consequently, the present government promised to review the examination and formed a commitee to look into the issue.

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Following are some of the points listed out by the commitee to support reduction of the age limit of the candidates:

• Speaking to Hindustan Times, BS Baswan said, "We feel that the entry age is on the higher side. At the same time, we realise that candidates should not be put to any unforeseen hardship. Therefore, we would prepare a road map which will give all candidates sufficient time to adapt to the new system."
• It is also said that about 6 to 11% of the candidates, who were 30 years old, were able to clear the examination in the year 2012 and 2013.
• In the last few decades, the upper age-limit for general category candidates has been increased from 24 years in 1960s to 32 years in 2014.
• While the upper age-limit for candidates from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes is relaxed by five years and for those from Other Backward Classes get a 3-year relaxation. There is additional 10 years relaxation for disabled candidates.
• Candidates, who are over 30 years, find it is difficult to adapt and internalise the core values according to demand, sought by the civil services.

A senior government official told Hindustan Times that a proposal would be put forth to the government once the panel submits the report.

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