• Updated on 6 Jul, 2026 by Gazal Arora
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UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026 has been prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification released on February 4, 2026. Candidates applying for the examination must satisfy the eligibility conditions related to age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and number of attempts before submitting the application form.
UPSC IAS Eligibility 2026 requires candidates to have a recognised bachelor's degree, fulfil the prescribed age criteria as on August 1, 2026, and remain within the permissible number of attempts applicable to their category. Candidates claiming reservation or age relaxation must also possess valid supporting documents as specified in the notification.
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Highlights
UPSC eligibility criteria define the minimum conditions candidates must fulfil to appear for the Civil Services Examination. These include age, educational qualification, nationality, permissible attempts, and applicable relaxations for reserved categories. Below are the key highlights related to the UPSC CSE 2026 Recruitment:
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age (General) | 32 Years (as on August 1, 2026) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university |
| Nationality | Indian Citizen (IAS & IPS); other services as per UPSC notification |
| Number of Attempts | General – 6, OBC – 9, SC/ST – Unlimited (within age limit) |
| Age Relaxation | Available for OBC, SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-servicemen, and other eligible categories |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit
UPSC CSE Age Limit 2026 is calculated as on August 1, 2026. Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the prescribed date to be eligible under the General category. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories according to the Government of India rules.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
| General/EWS | 21 Years | 32 Years |
| OBC | 21 Years | 35 Years |
| SC | 21 Years | 37 Years |
| ST | 21 Years | 37 Years |
| PwBD (General) | 21 Years | 42 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21 Years | 45 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 21 Years | 47 Years |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit Relaxations
Candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for upper age relaxation as prescribed by UPSC. Below are the category-wise age relaxations:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| Defence Services Personnel disabled during operations | 3 Years |
| Ex-servicemen (completed 5 years of service) | 5 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 Years |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 Years |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification
UPSC Educational Qualification 2026 requires candidates to possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Government of India. Below is the UPSC Educational Qualification 2026:
| Criteria | Requirement |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor's Degree |
| Recognised Universities | Central, State, Deemed Universities or Institutions established by an Act of Parliament |
| Professional Degrees | BE, BTech, MBBS, and equivalent recognised professional degrees are eligible |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing before the prescribed stage of the examination |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Number of Attempts
UPSC CSE Eligibility 2026 specifies that the maximum number of attempts varies according to the candidate's category. An attempt is counted when a candidate appears in at least one paper of the Preliminary Examination. Below is the prescribed number of attempts for each category:
| Category | Number of Attempts |
| General | 6 |
| EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC | Unlimited (within age limit) |
| ST | Unlimited (within age limit) |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 9 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 9 |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | Unlimited (within age limit) |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality
UPSC Nationality Eligibility 2026 differs slightly for IAS, IPS, and other Civil Services. Below is the service-wise UPSC Nationality Eligibility 2026:
| Service | Nationality Requirement |
| IAS | Indian Citizen only |
| IPS | Indian Citizen only |
| Other Civil Services | Indian Citizen, Subject of Nepal, Subject of Bhutan, Tibetan Refugee (before 1 January 1962), or Person of Indian Origin migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
What is the minimum age required for UPSC CSE 2026?
Candidates must have attained 21 years of age as of August 1, 2026, to be eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
What is the maximum age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?
The upper age limit is 32 years for General/EWS candidates, with applicable relaxations for OBC, SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-servicemen, and other eligible categories as per UPSC rules.
Is there any age relaxation for female candidates in UPSC CSE?
No, there is no separate age relaxation for female candidates. Age relaxation is provided only based on category, disability, ex-servicemen status, or other criteria notified by UPSC.
Can final-year graduation students apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
Yes, candidates appearing in the final year of their graduation may apply provisionally, provided they submit proof of passing the qualifying examination within the timeline prescribed by UPSC.
Is a diploma holder eligible for UPSC CSE 2026?
No, a diploma alone is not sufficient. Candidates must possess a recognised Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification to be eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.