UPSC Eligibility and Age Limit 2026: What You Need to Know

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Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a big dream for many students, and the first step toward this goal is understanding the UPSC Eligibility and Age Limit 2026. These rules decide whether you can apply for the exam and help you plan your preparation correctly. Knowing the eligibility criteria beforehand prevents last-minute problems and ensures that you meet all the required conditions.

The eligibility rules mainly include four areas: age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and number of attempts. Before starting your preparation journey, make sure you check each requirement carefully.

Check Out: PW UPSC Books

Key Points of UPSC Eligibility and Age Limit 2026

The minimum age to appear for the UPSC exam is 21 years.
The maximum age limit for General category candidates is 32 years.
Reserved category candidates get age relaxation as per government rules.
Candidates must have completed graduation from a recognised university.

UPSC 2026 Eligibility

Every UPSC aspirant must fully understand the Eligibility and Age Limit for UPSC 2026. Even if you prepare well, you cannot apply if you do not meet these basic requirements. That is why checking the eligibility rules is one of the most important steps before starting your exam preparation.

On the PW Blog, we provide complete and updated details for all UPSC aspirants so they can plan their preparation smoothly.

Check Out: UPSC Previous Year Papers

Educational Qualification for UPSC 2026

To appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, candidates must meet the minimum educational requirement:

A graduate degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university is compulsory.
Students who are in their final year or waiting for their degree results can apply for the Preliminary Exam. However, they must submit proof of graduation before filling out the Mains Application Form.
Candidates with technical or professional degrees, such as engineering or other government-recognised qualifications, are also eligible.
MBBS students who have passed their final year exam but are still completing their internship can appear for the UPSC exam. They must submit their degree completion certificate before the Mains Exam.

These rules ensure that only candidates who have completed or are close to completing their graduation can participate.

Age Limit for UPSC 2026

The age limit for the UPSC Civil Services Exam has remained unchanged since 2015, and no changes have been introduced for 2026. All candidates must fall within the required age range on the date mentioned in the UPSC 2026 notification.

UPSC Age Limit 2026 (Category-wise)

Category	Maximum Age Limit
General / EWS	32 years
OBC	35 years
SC / ST	37 years
PwBD	42 years

The minimum age for all categories is 21 years.

Age relaxation for reserved categories ensures equal opportunities for candidates from different backgrounds.

Check out: UPSC Revision Books

Nationality Criteria for UPSC 2026

To apply for top services like IAS, IPS, and IFS, the candidate must be a citizen of India. For other civil services, candidates must meet any one of the following nationality conditions:

A citizen of India
A subject of Nepal
A subject of Bhutan
A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement
A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who migrated from countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, East African nations, or Vietnam to permanently settle in India

Candidates falling under categories B, C, D, or E must have an Eligibility Certificate issued by the Government of India. They may appear for the exam provisionally but will receive an appointment only after the certificate is verified.

Number of Attempts for UPSC 2026

UPSC limits the number of attempts candidates can make, based on their category. These limits ensure fairness and equal opportunity.

Category-wise Number of UPSC Attempts

General / EWS: 6 attempts (up to 32 years)
OBC: 9 attempts (up to 35 years)
SC / ST: Unlimited attempts (up to 37 years)
PwBD (General / EWS): 9 attempts (up to 42 years)

Important Notes on UPSC Attempts

If a candidate appears in the Prelims paper, it is counted as one attempt.
An attempt is counted even if the candidate withdraws or becomes disqualified later.
The terms General, EWS, SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD refer to the official categories used in the UPSC examination process.

These rules help candidates plan how many times they can attempt the exam and prepare accordingly.

Check Out: PW UPSC Modules

PW UPSC PYQ Book for UPSC 2026 Preparation

Designed especially for serious UPSC aspirants, the ‘PWONLYIAS UPSC 31 Years PYQs (2025–1995) GS Topicwise Solutions’ book gives you a systematic and effective way to prepare for the exam. With more than 3400+ solved questions, it covers all major topics, strengthens your basics, and improves your question-solving accuracy.

What This PW UPSC PYQ Book Offers:

UPSC 31 Years of PYQs (2025–1995): Includes over 3400 solved questions from the past 31 years, helping you understand exam trends and question styles.
Topic-Wise Arrangement: All questions are grouped under important areas like Analytical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Mental Ability, making your revision more organised and focused.
Option-Wise Explanations: Every question comes with a clear explanation for each option, helping you understand why an answer is correct and why others are not.
7-Year Trend Analysis: A detailed breakdown of the last 7 years’ papers highlights frequently asked topics, enabling strategic and smarter preparation.
Crisp and Clear Solutions: Simple, to-the-point explanations that boost your reasoning and analytical skills.
Visual Learning Support: Includes diagrams, maps, and infographics to improve memory and concept clarity.
PWOnlyIAS Extra Edge: Provides added insights and context to help you understand high-frequency topics and commonly tested concepts better.