UPSC CSE (Civil Services Exam — Prelims) Eligibility 2026

General eligibility

Age

21 to 32 years as on 1 August of the examination year. Age relaxation: SC/ST +5 years (up to 37), OBC (non-creamy layer) +3 years (up to 35), PwBD +10 years OVER AND ABOVE category relaxation, Defence Service personnel disabled in operations +3 years, Ex-servicemen +5 years. EWS candidates get NO age relaxation — they follow the General-category 21-32 band.

Education

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by Government of India. Professional degrees (MBBS, BE/BTech, CA, ICWA, LLB) are fully accepted. No minimum percentage required. Distance-learning and correspondence degrees from UGC-recognised universities are accepted. Final-year students may apply provisionally but must produce the degree certificate before the Mains DAF stage.

Nationality

For IAS and IPS: must be a citizen of India. For other services (IFS, IRS and others): citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with intent to settle permanently, or person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries to settle permanently.

Attempts

General: 6 attempts (till age 32). OBC: 9 attempts (till age 35). SC/ST: unlimited attempts (till age 37). PwBD (General/EWS/OBC): 9 attempts; PwBD (SC/ST): unlimited (till age 37). Appearing in Prelims even once counts as an attempt; withdrawal before Prelims does NOT count. Application fee: NIL for women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates; Rs 100 for General/OBC male.