The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for conducting one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India, the Civil Services Examination (CSE). It is the gateway to becoming an Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), or other central government services officer. In this article, we outline the eligibility criteria for UPSC aspirants.

1. Nationality

To be eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, the nationality requirements are as follows:

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS): Candidates must be citizens of India.
• Other Services: For other central services, candidates can be either:
  • A citizen of India.
  • A subject of Nepal or Bhutan.
  • A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
  • A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries (e.g., Pakistan, Sri Lanka) with the intention of permanently settling in India.

2. Educational Qualification

To be eligible for the UPSC exam, candidates must hold a graduation degree from a recognized university. Final-year students awaiting results are also eligible to apply, provided they can submit their final degree before the Main Examination.

3. Age Limit

The minimum age to apply for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is 21 years, and the maximum age limit varies based on the candidate’s category:

• General category: Maximum 32 years.
• OBC category: Maximum 35 years.
• SC/ST category: Maximum 37 years.
• PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): Maximum 42 years.

4. Number of Attempts

The number of attempts allowed for UPSC varies by category:

• General category: 6 attempts.
• OBC category: 9 attempts.
• SC/ST category: Unlimited attempts until the maximum age limit.
• PwBD: 9 attempts for General and OBC, and unlimited for SC/ST.

5. Physical Standards

Candidates must meet the physical standards as prescribed by the UPSC for services like IAS, IPS, and IFS. Different services have different physical and medical requirements, especially for the police services (IPS) and defense-related services.

6. Conclusion

Meeting the eligibility criteria is the first step toward attempting the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Aspirants must ensure they meet all the necessary requirements before applying, as non-compliance may lead to disqualification. The combination of educational qualifications, age limits, and physical fitness is key to being eligible for UPSC.