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UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Age, Qualification, Nationality, Medical Standards

UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Age, Qualification, Nationality, Medical Standards

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on Jul 10, 2024 03:06 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the IAS 2025 eligibility criteria in the official notification on January 22, 2025, at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC CSE eligibility criteria 2025 is based on nationality, age limit, educational qualification, number of attempts, and medical standards. As per the exam eligibility criteria, candidates between the age group of 21 to 32 years with a graduation degree are eligible to apply for the UPSC IAS exam.

Interested applicants needed to check the UPSC IAS eligibility criteria thoroughly. Applicants belonging to the reserved category will be eligible for relaxation in the UPSC age limit criteria.

UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Overview

Aspirants can check the UPSC IAS eligibility and other details related to the exam in the below table.

UPSC IAS Exam Highlights

ParticularsDetails

Exam Name

Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination

Examination Body

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Exam Level

National

UPSC Eligibility 2025

Nationality - Indian

Age limit - 21 years to 32 years

Educational Qualification - Graduation

Number of attempts

General/ EWS - 6

OBC/ General (PwD) - 9

SC/ ST - No limit (can apply till upper age limit is reached)

IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025

The IAS eligibility criteria has multiple components which together determine the eligibility of candidates for the examination. The different components of IAS eligibility are mentioned below:

  • Nationality

  • IAS age limit

  • Educational Qualification

  • Attempt limit

  • Medical standards

UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria - Nationality

According to the UPSC IAS eligibility, any candidate who is a citizen of India can apply for the exam. More details on the IAS 2025 eligibility on nationality are mentioned below.

  1. Citizen of India or

  2. A subject of Nepal/ Bhutan or

  3. Tibetan refugee who came to India, to permanently settle here before January 1, 1962, or

  4. People of Indian origin who migrated from Uganda, Burma, Pakistan, Zambia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

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Note: Applicants belonging to categories 2, 3 and 4 in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India are eligible to apply in the examination.

Other Quick Links: IAS exam dates 2025

IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Age Limit

Union Public Service Commission prescribes the age limit in the official UPSC IAS notification 2025. As per the age limit eligibility criteria, those between 21 to 32 years as of August 1, 2025, can fill out the IAS application form 2025. Applicants belonging to the reserved category are eligible for age relaxation as per the rules set by UPSC. For more details on IAS exam age limit and age relaxation, check the tables below:

UPSC IAS age limit 2025 eligibility criteria

Category

IAS age limit

General

21 to 32 years

IAS eligibility criteria 2025 - Age Relaxation

Categories

Age relaxation

General

No age relaxation

OBC

3 years

SC/ ST

5 years

Defense Services Personnel, who got disabled during operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence

3 years

Ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers (CO) and ECOs/ SSCOs who will render at least five years Military Service as of August 1, 2021, and have been released

5 years

ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service as of 1st August 2021

5 years

In the following cases: blindness and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, locomotor disability including acid attack, cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, victims and muscular dystrophy, intellectual disability, autism, specific learning disability and mental illness

10 years

Candidates ordinarily domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir from January 1, 1981, to December 31, 1989.

5 years

Quick Links: UPSC IAS 2025 syllabus

UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Educational Qualification

The educational qualifications that one must have to be eligible to apply for the Civil Services 2025 exam for all the posts are mentioned in the notification. They must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university as laid down under the law. For more details on the IAS educational qualifications, check the table below:

IAS education qualification

IAS educational qualification

Bachelor's degree (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BBA, BCA, B.Tech etc.) with at least one of the subjects namely Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology or a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Forestry or in Engineering from recognized university.

Note: Applicants awaiting their final graduation result can also apply for IAS exam. And there is no minimum UPSC qualification percentage required.

Other Links: How to prepare for IAS exam 2025

UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - UPSC attempts limit

The Commission also mentions the number of UPSC attempt limits for every category of candidates. The minimum number of attempts is given to General/ EWS category applicants. For more information the UPSC attempt limit check the table below:

UPSC attempt and age limit

Category

UPSC Civil Services Age Limit

Number of Attempts

General/ EWS

32

6

OBC

35

9

SC/ ST

37

No limit

General Physically Disabled

35

9

OBC Physically Disabled

38

9

SC and ST Physically Disabled

40

No limit

Disabled servicemen (General)

35

Disabled servicemen (OBC)

38

Disabled servicemen (SC and ST)

40

Note: As per the UPSC rules, not withstanding the disqualification/ cancellation of candidature, the appearance of the applicant in the IAS exam will count as an attempt.

Check Here List of Other Government Exams

IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Medical Standard

Applicants appearing for the IAS exam must be physically fit and have a sound mind. After the CSE personality test, the selected applicants undergo several medical tests at the medical centre notified by the commission. Candidates must pass all the medical tests to get admitted to any of the services.

Note: For more details on the medical requirements for the CSE exam read the eligibility criteria in the official IAS notification 2025.

Who are not eligible to apply for Civil Services Exam

According to the IAS eligibility criteria 2025, applicants who are serving in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS)/ Indian Foreign Services (IFS)/ Indian Police Services (IPS) can not appear for the IAS exam 2025 unless and until they resign from their current deputation.

IAS Application Form 2025

UPSC will release the UPSC IAS 2025 application form on January 22, 2025 on the official website. The IAS application form has two parts - One Time Registration (OTR) and filling application form. On successful completion of both parts of the IAS application process, applicants will receive a confirmation regarding the same.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. What is the IAS exam age limit?

The UPSC age limit to apply for IAS 2025 exam is 21 to 32 years as on August 1, 2025.

2. What is the qualification for IAS in UPSC?

According to the IAS qualification, candidates must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline to apply for the IAS exam.

3. Are all the posts under UPSC CSE gazetted posts?

Yes, all the posts under Civil Services Exam gazetted posts.

4. Will UPSC reduce age limit in 2025?

Candidates are recommended to go through the UPSC CSE official notification to know the age limit. The UPSC CSE age limit likely not reduce in 2025.

5. Will the UPSC pattern change in 2025?

It is unlikely that the IAS 2025 exam pattern will change much in 2025.

6. How many attempts for UPSC 2025?

Candidates of general category have 6 attempts, while OBC candidates have 9 attempts. Candidates belonging to SC/ST category do not have a limit.

7. What is the IAS age limit for female?

Aspirants can check the IAS qualification and age limit for females from the above article.

8. Which degree is best for UPSC IAS 2025?

The best degree to become an IAS officer is a Bachelor of Arts (BA), as it covers many of the topics in the UPSC CSE 2025 syllabus.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello,

When choosing an IAS coaching institute, it's important to consider factors such as faculty quality, study materials, success rate, infrastructure, fees, and student support. Here are some highly regarded IAS coaching institutes in India:

1. Vajiram & Ravi

  • Location: Delhi
  • Pros: Experienced faculty, comprehensive study materials, high success rate.
  • Cons: Relatively expensive.

2. ALS IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with branches in various cities.
  • Pros: Good faculty, structured programs, and regular tests.
  • Cons: Can be costly, and the quality may vary across branches.

3. Vision IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with branches in other cities.
  • Pros: Detailed study materials, current affairs updates, regular mock tests.
  • Cons: Some students find the pace fast.

4. Sriram IAS

  • Location: Delhi
  • Pros: Strong emphasis on comprehensive understanding, quality teaching.
  • Cons: Limited branches compared to others.

5. Drishti IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with a few branches in other cities.
  • Pros: Affordable fees, good study material, and supportive faculty.
  • Cons: Infrastructure might be less impressive.

6. Upkar Institute

  • Location: Multiple cities.
  • Pros: Focus on affordable coaching, quality materials.
  • Cons: Less known compared to the top-tier institutes.

7. The Hindu Zone

  • Location: Online coaching.
  • Pros: Flexibility of online classes, good faculty, and resources.
  • Cons: Online learning might not suit everyone.

Hope it helps !

It's great that you are taking the initiative to pursue your dream of becoming an IAS officer, Bettaswamy. Many working professionals like you crack the UPSC exam every year.

Anxiety often stems from dwelling on uncertainties. Instead, focus on what you can control – your daily preparation. Break down your study plan into manageable chunks and celebrate small goals. Challenge negative thoughts with realistic and empowering self-talk. Instead of "what if I fail," tell yourself, "I am putting in the effort to succeed, and I am capable of learning from any outcome." Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to calm your mind and reduce stress.

Plan your study schedule around your work commitments. Utilize pockets of time for revision and dedicate focused study time during evenings or weekends.

Plan your study schedule around your work commitments. Utilize pockets of time for revision and dedicate focused study time during evenings or weekends.

Connect with other UPSC aspirants or online forums for motivation and sharing strategies. Consider joining a coaching institute that caters to working professionals.

https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse

I hope it helps!

Hello!

I assume you want to know the eligibility criteria to becoming an IAS. First of all, to become an IAS,  one has to clear UPSC CSE examiner. There are certain eligibility criteria for applying in this examination and they are as follows:

  • Bachelor's degree from any recognised college.
  • Age between 21-32; with some relaxation for reserved categories.
  • Citizen of India ora subject of Nepal/ Bhutan or Tibetan refugee who came to India, to permanently settle here before January 1, 1962, or People of Indian origin who migrated from Uganda, Burma, Pakistan, Zambia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

For more information, please visit the website by clicking on the link given below:

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-eligibility-criteria#toc_1

And other government jobs, the eligibility test is different for different jobs. It would have been if you could mention the government job you are interested in.

Hope this answers your query. Thank you

Dear aspirant !!

Hope you are doing good !

Yes it will be considered because Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) is a 4-year degree course . It is a multi-disciplinary profession with core subjects including speech pathology, language pathology, and audiology.

Hope it helps you ;

Thank you

Dear Aspirant !

Hope you are fine!

The main subjects for the UPSC Exam are Indian Politics, Indian Economy, International Relations, Science and Technology, Geography, History, Environment and Ecology, and related Current Affairs . There are 25 subjects and 23 literature optional that one can choose from in addition to this..

Thank you

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