UPSC Age Limit 2025: Check Category-Wise Eligibility, Relaxation & Attempts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prescribes specific age limit criteria for candidates appearing in various examinations, particularly the Civil Services Examination (CSE) - which includes prestigious posts like IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. Understanding the age eligibility is crucial for aspirants planning to appear in UPSC 2025.

UPSC Age Limit 2025: Complete Guide to Eligibility — Image from PTI

UPSC Age Limit 2025: Eligibility Criteria for IAS, IPS, IFS & Other Posts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year for recruitment to top government services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. One of the most important eligibility criteria for aspirants is the age limit, which varies depending on the candidate's category (General, OBC, SC/ST, PwBD, etc.).

For UPSC 2025, candidates must be at least 21 years old and should not exceed 32 years of age as of August 1, 2025 (for General category). However, age relaxation is applicable for candidates belonging to reserved categories. It is essential for all applicants to thoroughly understand the age requirements and the number of attempts allowed before applying. Knowing these details early helps aspirants plan better, especially if they are nearing the upper age limit. Read on to get a complete breakdown of the UPSC 2025 age eligibility and relaxation rules.

UPSC Age Limit 2025: Category-Wise Eligibility, Relaxation & Attempts

Category	Minimum Age	Maximum Age	Age Relaxation	Number of Attempts
General (UR)	21 Years	32 Years	None	6
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)	21 Years	32 Years	None	6
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	21 Years	35 Years	3 Years	9
Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)	21 Years	37 Years	5 Years	Unlimited (up to age limit)
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) - General	21 Years	42 Years	10 Years	9
PwBD - OBC	21 Years	45 Years	13 Years	9
PwBD - SC/ST	21 Years	47 Years	15 Years	Unlimited (up to age limit)
Defence Personnel (Disabled during service)	21 Years	Varies by category	Up to 5 Years	As per respective category
Ex-Servicemen, ECOs/SSCOs	21 Years	Varies by category	Up to 5 Years	As per respective category

Note: Age is calculated as of August 1, 2025 for UPSC 2025.

Age Relaxation Details

OBC candidates get 3 years of relaxation.

SC/ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation.

PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) get 10 years (additional relaxation based on category).

Ex-servicemen and ECOs/SSCOs also get age relaxations based on service conditions.

Number of Attempts Allowed

Category	Attempts
General	6
OBC	9
SC/ST	Unlimited (Till Age Limit)
PwBD	9 (General / OBC), Unlimited (SC/ST)

Conclusion

Understanding the UPSC age limit criteria is a crucial first step for every aspirant aiming to appear in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. Whether you belong to the General, OBC, SC/ST, or PwBD category, knowing the minimum and maximum age limits, as well as the relaxations and number of attempts, can help you prepare strategically and avoid disqualification. With proper awareness of the eligibility conditions and accurate documentation, candidates can confidently proceed with their UPSC journey. Always refer to the official UPSC notification for the final and most updated eligibility details before applying. Planning ahead and verifying your eligibility can make all the difference in this highly competitive examination.