UPSC Civil Services age limit by category
The Union Public Service Commission measures age on 1 August of the exam year. You must have turned 21 by that date and must not yet have reached the upper limit for your category. The upper limits and attempts below are from the CSE 2026 notification.
| Category | Age on 1 August | Born between (CSE 2026) | Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 21 – under 32 | 2 Aug 1994 – 1 Aug 2005 | 6 |
| OBC | 21 – under 35 | 2 Aug 1991 – 1 Aug 2005 | 9 |
| SC / ST | 21 – under 37 | 2 Aug 1989 – 1 Aug 2005 | Unlimited |
| PwBD (General / EWS) | 21 – under 42 | 2 Aug 1984 – 1 Aug 2005 | 9 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21 – under 45 | 2 Aug 1981 – 1 Aug 2005 | 9 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 21 – under 47 | 2 Aug 1979 – 1 Aug 2005 | Unlimited |
How to calculate your UPSC age
- Take 1 August of the exam year as the cut-off (for CSE 2026: 1 August 2026).
- Count your completed years, months and days from your date of birth to that date.
- You are eligible if the completed years are at least 21 and below your category limit.
Example: a General candidate born on 10 March 1998 is 28 years, 4 months and 22 days old on 1 August 2026, so they are eligible, and their last CSE by age is 2029 (they turn 32 in March 2030).
The calculator also shows your last eligible year, which helps you plan your attempts. Remember that the attempt limit and the age limit both apply, so you stop at whichever comes first. Preparing for defence instead? Try the NDA age limit calculator.
Age limit and attempt limit: whichever comes first
Your eligibility ends at the first of two limits: the upper age for your category or the number of attempts. A General candidate who starts at 22 can use all six attempts before turning 32; one who starts at 28 will run out of age first, after four exam cycles. The calculator shows both, so you can plan realistically.
What counts as an attempt?
An attempt is counted as soon as you appear in at least one paper of the preliminary examination. Applying and not turning up does not count. Withdrawing your application before the exam does not count either.
Common mistakes
- Counting age on the exam day. UPSC always uses 1 August of the exam year, even though the preliminary exam is held in May or June.
- Mixing up “up to 32” and “under 32”. For General candidates the rule is that you must not have reached 32 on 1 August. Someone whose 32nd birthday is on 1 August is not eligible.
- Adding relaxations together incorrectly. PwBD relaxation (10 years) is added on top of the category relaxation: 10 + 3 = 13 years for OBC, 10 + 5 = 15 years for SC/ST.
Your date of birth is taken from your matriculation or secondary school certificate. For any other date arithmetic, try the age calculator between two dates or the date calculator.