The UPSC Age Limit 2025 is a crucial factor for candidates aspiring to join prestigious Indian services such as IAS, IPS, and IFS through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. It determines whether a candidate is eligible to apply based on their age. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the UPSC Age Limit for 2025, including category-wise age limits, relaxations, educational qualifications, and other critical eligibility requirements.
UPSC Age Limit 2025 Overview
The UPSC Age Limit 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.
The UPSC Age Limit considers two main aspects:
- The minimum age required to appear for the exam.
- The maximum age limit for various categories.
UPSC Minimum Age Limit 2025:
- The minimum age limit for candidates applying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is 21 years.
- Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years on August 1, 2025, to be eligible for applying.
UPSC Maximum Age Limit 2025:
- The maximum age limit varies based on the candidate’s category, as discussed below.
- The age limit is calculated as of August 1, 2025, and candidates must ensure they are within the age brackets specified.
| UPSC Age Limit 2025 Overview | |
| Minimum Age | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 32 years |
| Relaxation | Based on Category |
| Number of Attempts | 6 |
| Exemption | Based on Category |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | Graduate |
| Citizenship Qualification | Service-wise requirements are provided below. |
| Medical Qualification | Required for technical services such as IPS |
UPSC Age Limit 2025 Category Wise
The UPSC Age Limit 2025 is categorized based on caste, gender, and other factors. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the UPSC Age Limit according to various categories:
| Category | Minimum Age Limit | Maximum Age Limit |
| General Category | 21 years | 32 years |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 21 years | 35 years |
| SC/ST (Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe) | 21 years | 37 years |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 21 years | 42 years |
| Female Candidates | 21 years | Varies by category (SC/ST/OBC) |
UPSC Age Limit for General Category
For candidates belonging to the general category, the maximum age limit is 32 years, with a minimum age of 21 years as of August 1, 2025.
UPSC Age Limit for OBC
Candidates belonging to the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category enjoy a relaxation of 3 years. Therefore, their maximum age limit is 35 years.
UPSC Age Limit for SC/ST
Candidates belonging to the SC/ST (Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe) category receive a maximum age limit relaxation of 5 years. Therefore, their maximum age limit is 37 years.
UPSC Age Limit for Female Candidates
Female candidates benefit from the same category-wise age relaxations as other categories (OBC, SC, and ST). Therefore, the UPSC Age Limit for female candidates will be the same as for male candidates in their respective categories.
UPSC Age Relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, and Ex-servicemen Candidates
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.
- SC/ST Candidates: A relaxation of 5 years is provided, extending the maximum age limit to 37 years.
- OBC Candidates: A relaxation of 3 years is provided, extending the maximum age limit to 35 years.
- PwD Candidates: Persons with disabilities receive a relaxation of 10 years, making their maximum age limit 42 years.
- Ex-Servicemen: Ex-servicemen, including commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs, are given a relaxation of up to 5 years. However, this is subject to specific criteria regarding their service duration.
| Category of Candidates | Age Relaxation in UPSC |
| Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 3 years |
| Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen (Commissioned Officers, Emergency Commissioned Officers and Short Service Commissioned Officers) with at least five years of service. | 5 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
(a) blindness and low vision; (b) deaf and low hearing; (c) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness; (d) locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy; and (e) multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d) including deaf-blindness |
10 years |
UPSC Eligibility 2025 Based on Number of Attempts
The UPSC Age Limit for 2025 is also influenced by the number of attempts a candidate can make. The number of attempts is counted from the candidate’s first appearance in the UPSC exam.
| Category | Number of Attempts | Maximum Age (Years) |
| General and EWS | 6 | 32 |
| OBC | 9 | 35 |
| PwBD | 9 | 42 |
| SC and ST | Unlimited | 37 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 9 | 37 |
| Disabled Defence Services Personnel | 9 | 35 |
| General/OBC/EWS PwBD candidates | 9 | See below Description |
| SC/ST categories PwBD candidates | Unlimited | See below Description |
| Age Relaxation for PWD Candidates
The prescribed upper age limit of an examination (wherever applicable) is relaxable up to a maximum of 10 years in the case of candidates belonging to PwBD categories as below (a) low vision and blindness; (b) deaf and hard of hearing; (c) Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy; (d) Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness; (e) Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (e) including deaf, blindness. PwBD candidates, who also belong to either SC or ST or OBC or Ex-servicemen, are eligible for grant of cumulative age-relaxation under both categories. |
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General Category Candidates
For candidates in the general category, the maximum number of attempts is 6.
OBC Candidates:
Candidates in the OBC category are allowed 9 attempts.
UPSC Age Limit For St Sc:
Candidates in the SC/ST category can attempt the exam an unlimited number of times until they surpass the maximum age limit for their category.
Conclusion
The UPSC Age Limit 2025 is a critical eligibility criterion for candidates aspiring to join the prestigious Indian Civil Services. Understanding the category-wise UPSC Age Limit and the corresponding age relaxations is crucial for applicants. By following the rules for educational qualifications, citizenship, and medical criteria, candidates can ensure they meet all the necessary requirements to appear for the exam.
Make sure to regularly check official UPSC notifications for any updates to the UPSC Age Limit or related eligibility criteria before applying for the exam in 2025.
UPSC Age Limit 2025
Is There Any Age Relaxation For PwD Candidates?
Yes, PwD candidates receive a relaxation of 10 years, making their maximum age limit 42 years.
How many attempts can a General category candidate make for UPSC?
A general category candidate can attempt the UPSC exam a maximum of 6 times.
Is there an age relaxation for female candidates?
The age relaxation for female candidates is the same as for their respective categories (General, OBC, SC, ST). However, female candidates are not given any additional relaxation.
