UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024: Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Nationality, and Number of Attempts

UPSC IAS eligibility criteria is released by UPSC along with the official notification. Candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria in order to appear for the examination. In the event that an applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements, he would not be allowed to take the exam. UPSC notifies of any changes in eligibility criteria in its official notification, so candidates must read the notification carefully to confirm their eligibility.

Only candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements can fill out the UPSC IAS application form 2024. The application forms have to be filled out at the preliminary, mains, and interview stages. Students who clear the UPSC IAS prelims result 2024 will be required to fill out the Detailed Application Form. Meanwhile, interested candidates can check the detailed eligibility requirement to appear for the UPSC IAS Exam 2024 in the article below.

UPSC IAS Eligibility 2024 - Nationality

For the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service, a candidate must be a citizen of India.

For other services, a candidate must be either:—

(a) a citizen of India, or

(b) a subject of Nepal, or

(c) a subject of Bhutan, or

(d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or

(e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Note: Candidates belonging to b,c,d, and e categories shall have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India to appear for the examination. However, an appointment offer can only be made after the Government of India has issued the necessary eligibility certificate.

UPSC IAS Eligibility 2024 - Age Limit

The following table lists the minimum and maximum age limit for different categories of students taking the examination

Note: The age relaxation up to a maximum of five years in the case of ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service as on 1st August, 2022 and whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on three months notice on selection from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.

The age relaxation of up to a maximum of 10 years in the case of candidates belonging to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories.

UPSC IAS Eligibility 2024: Number of Attempts

UPSC allows aspiring candidates from general category to take six attempts for the IAS exam. The number of attempts vary for reserved category candidates. Interested aspirants can check the table below to learn more about the IAS exam attempts:

Note:

• Candidates appearing for the prelims examination will be taken as one attempt.
• Candidates who register for the IAS prelims exam but do not take the paper will not be considered as having attempted the exam. Thus, no attempt will be counted.
• If an aspirant's candidature is later denied or disqualified, applicants sitting for the examination will be deemed an attempt.
• Candidates chosen for the IAS/IFS (Indian Foreign Service) are not permitted to retake the exam (to improve their rank), even if there are attempts remaining.

UPSC IAS Eligibility 2024 - Educational Qualification

A candidate must have a Graduate degree from one of the Higher education institutions established by an Act of the Central or State Legislatures in India, or from another academic institution established pursuant to an Act of Parliament and proclaimed to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or an equivalent qualification.

Candidates in their final year or awaiting results may also take the UPSC prelim examination. All such applicants who intend to take the IAS examinations must submit proof of passing the specified examination along with their application for the IAS mains paper.

Candidates with technical and professional qualifications acknowledged by the government as equivalent to a technical and professional degree are also eligible for taking the UPSC CSE examination.

Medical students in their last year of MBBS who are yet to complete their internship are also eligible for IAS exam. However, a  certificate of course completion (including internship) from the University's authorities must be provided while submitting the Mains Examination application.

UPSC IAS Eligibility 2024 - Medical Standards

Candidates who attend the interview round must submit to medical tests/examinations. The UPSC assigns dates and hospitals to candidates. They must travel to the selected hospital and undertake the medical examination.

Medical examinations include blood and urine tests, blood pressure tests, diabetes tests, hearing abilities, lung function, heart rate, and X-rays. Additionally, candidates are required to undergo eye tests.

Conclusion

The eligibility criteria are of utmost importance when it comes to appearing for the UPSC examination. Candidates must fulfil the age criteria, and nationality, and must have the required educational qualification to apply for the examination. It is also to be noted there are no such criteria in the UPSC exam that candidates must have a particular discipline in their graduation. The exam is open to all candidates with bachelor's degrees from a recognized university or institution.