To appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), a candidate must satisfy conditions of nationality, age, educational qualification and the permitted number of attempts. Here is a clear breakdown.
For the IAS and IPS, a candidate must be a citizen of India. For other services (like IFS, IRS), candidates from Nepal, Bhutan or Tibetan refugees (who came before 1962) and persons of Indian origin migrated from certain countries may also be eligible.
A candidate must hold a degree from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification. Final-year students can also apply for Prelims and appear in Mains only after producing proof of passing.
The minimum age is 21 years and the general-category upper limit is 32 years as on 1st August of the exam year. Age relaxation applies to reserved categories.
General category: 6 attempts. OBC: 9 attempts. SC/ST: unlimited attempts (up to the age limit). PwBD: 9 attempts for General/OBC and unlimited for SC/ST within age limits.
Yes. Final-year graduates can apply for Prelims and must submit proof of passing before the Mains examination.
The minimum age is 21 years as on 1st August of the year of examination.
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