The Candidates applying for the examination should ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions for admission to examination.

1. Eligibility

The eligibility criteria required for a candidate to be able to apply for UPSC IAS exam are:

A citizen of India: The candidate applying for the IAS should be a citizen of India.

Age limit: 21 to 32 years; there is relaxation of the upper age limit for SC, ST, OBC, physically handicapped candidates as well as ex- servicemen.

Bachelor's degree: Candidate must possess a degree from any of recognized university.

Candidates who have appeared for the qualifying examination are also eligible to appear for the preliminary examination.

Relaxation in age

The upper age limit prescribed above will be relaxable under the following conditions.

Upto a maximum of five years to a Scheduled Caste (SC) or a Scheduled Tribe (ST)

Upto a maximum of three years to Other Backward Classes (OBC)

Upto a maximum of five years if a candidate is domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from the 1st January, 1980 to the 31st day of December, 1989

Number of Attempts

Every candidate appearing at the examination shall be permitted Six attempts at the examination.

This restriction on the number of attempts will not apply in the case of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

The number of attempts permissible to candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes, who are otherwise eligible shall be nine.