The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is one of India’s most prestigious and challenging competitive exams. Age eligibility is a critical factor for aspirants. Understanding the UPSC age limit 2025, including the category-wise distinctions, is essential for candidates. This article provides an in-depth explanation of the UPSC age limit for general category, SC/ST, OBC, and female candidates. It also covers the UPSC minimum age limit, maximum age limit, and the rules governing them.
The UPSC Age Limit 2025 determines whether a candidate is eligible to apply based on their age. It is one of the key eligibility criteria for candidates appearing in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The age limits differ based on various factors, including the candidate’s category, gender, and whether they belong to any reserved category. Candidates should carefully check their eligibility before applying for the UPSC exam in 2025.
UPSC Age Limit 2025 Overview
The UPSC age limit for 2025 determines the age range within which candidates can apply for the civil service exam. This limit varies based on the candidate’s category, with specific relaxations available for reserved categories. The key factors for age eligibility are as follows:
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
| General | 21 years | 32 years | None |
| OBC | 21 years | 35 years | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 21 years | 37 years | 5 years |
| Female (General) | 21 years | 32 years | None |
| Female (OBC) | 21 years | 35 years | 3 years |
| Female (SC/ST) | 21 years | 37 years | 5 years |
| PwBD (General) | 21 years | 42 years | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21 years | 45 years | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 21 years | 47 years | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (General) | 21 years | 37 years | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (OBC) | 21 years | 40 years | 8 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) | 21 years | 42 years | 10 years |
Candidates must have attained the minimum age of 21 years as of August 1, 2025, to be eligible to apply for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Age proof, such as a birth certificate or 10th-grade certificate, is mandatory during the application process.
UPSC Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories
Age relaxation is an essential factor in the UPSC Age Limit for 2025. It allows certain candidates to apply even if they exceed the maximum age limit prescribed for their respective categories.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 3 years |
| Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen with at least five years of service | 5 years |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | 10 years |
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are further categorized into blindness, low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, locomotor disabilities (including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy), and multiple disabilities, allowing them a relaxation of up to 10 years. PwBD candidates, who also belong to SC/ST or OBC categories, are eligible for cumulative age relaxation under both categories.
UPSC IAS Exam Number of Attempts
Candidates can attempt the UPSC examination a specific number of times based on their category. The number of attempts is counted from the candidate’s first appearance in the UPSC exam.
General and EWS candidates are allowed a maximum of six attempts. OBC candidates can attempt the exam up to nine times, while SC and ST candidates have unlimited attempts until they reach the upper age limit. Similarly, EWS candidates with benchmark disabilities and physically disabled candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories are permitted up to nine attempts. SC and ST physically disabled candidates are granted unlimited attempts until reaching the upper age limit.
UPSC Exam Female Candidates Age Limit
Female candidates do not receive a specific age relaxation for being female. However, they are eligible for the same relaxations available for OBC, SC, and ST categories. Their eligibility is as follows:
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
| General Female | 21 years | 32 years | None |
| OBC Female | 21 years | 35 years | 3 years |
| SC/ST Female | 21 years | 37 years | 5 years |
UPSC Age Limit Important Notes
- The date for calculating age eligibility is August 1, 2025.
- Candidates born after this date are not eligible.
- Candidates must provide official age proof during the application process.
- Relaxations are cumulative for eligible categories, such as PwBD candidates belonging to SC/ST or OBC.
UPSC Age Limit FAQs
Q. What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)?
Ans. The UPSC CSE is a competitive examination conducted annually to recruit candidates for administrative roles such as IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.
Q. What is the minimum age to apply for UPSC 2025?
Ans. The minimum age to apply for the UPSC 2025 exam is 21 years for all candidates, regardless of category.
Q. What is the maximum age limit for UPSC 2025?
Ans. The maximum age limit for UPSC 2025 varies by category: 32 years for general, 35 years for OBC, 37 years for SC/ST, and higher for PwBD and ex-servicemen.
Q. How many attempts are allowed for UPSC?
Ans. General category candidates can attempt the exam six times, OBC candidates get nine attempts, and SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts within the age limit.
Q. How is the age for UPSC calculated?
Ans. The age is calculated as of August 1, 2025. Candidates must be at least 21 years old and not exceed their category’s maximum age on this date.
