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.

This Story also Contains
  1. UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Overview
  2. IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025
  3. IAS Application Form 2025
UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Age, Qualification, Nationality, Medical Standards
UPSC IAS Eligibility Criteria 2025 - Age, Qualification, Nationality, Medical Standards

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 Questions (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

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For becoming an IAS officer you have to give UPSC exam , and focus on excelling in academics, particularly in subjects like History, Geography, Political Science and English. Maintain a strong foundation in these areas and stay updated on current events and national/international issues. After 10th standard, choose the Humanities or Social Sciences stream, then graduate from a recognized university. Prepare for the UPSC and for studies you have to focus on excelling in academics, particularly in subjects like History, Geography, Political Science and English. Maintain a strong foundation in these areas and stay updated on current events and national/international issues. After 10th standard, choose the relevant subject and complete your higher education and graduation then prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, which includes preliminary, main and personality tests. Join coaching classes, develop skills like communication, leadership and problem-solving and stay motivated. And also research more about that exam.


Have a great day

Steps to become an IAS officer


Graduation


You should have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a known university

Arts: History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology

Science: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

Commerce: Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies

Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Examination:


Study the Syllabus: Learn the syllabus for Preliminary and Main exams.

Choose Elective Subjects: Take elective subjects that you enjoy and have expertise in

Study Material: Reference textbooks, handouts distributed during the coaching and internet resources.

Practice: Previous years' question paper, mock tests, etc

Coaching Institutes: Join a good coaching institute for formal guidance 3. UPSC Civil Services Examination:

Prelims Exam: An objective-type qualifying test that will make you eligible to appear in the Main examination.

Main Exam: Very subjective test which includes all subjects.

Interview: Personality test by a panel of experts.

Important Tips:


Start Early: Better preparation starts early.

Time Management: Manage your time very efficiently.

Consistency: Follow a regular study routine.

Stay Updated: Current affairs and news.

Seek Guidance: Who have an experience can be consulted upon for guidance.

Practice Regularly: Solve the previous year's paper and mock tests.

Stay Positive: Believe in yourself and work hard.

Hence, with these steps and dedication and perseverance, you're sure to achieve your end as an IAS officer.

Hello,

Yes, while IAS (Indian Administrative Services) preparation requires a graduation degree, here are steps you can take to start your IAS journey after completing your 11th standard (BiPC):

  1. Focus on Graduation : Choose a stream for your higher studies that aligns with your interest. Graduation is a mandatory qualification for IAS eligibility.
  2. Early Preparation : Start building a strong foundation in subjects like History, Geography, Economics, and Political Science, which are part of the IAS syllabus.
  3. Develop General Knowledge : Read newspapers daily and follow current affairs magazines to stay updated with national and international news.
  4. Improve Language Skills : Enhance your proficiency in English and one Indian language as per the Civil Services syllabus.
  5. Join Study Circles or Coaching : Enroll in pre-IAS foundation courses available for school students for a head start.
  6. Time Management : Create a balanced study schedule alongside your schoolwork to gradually prepare for the IAS exam.
  7. Participate in Competitions : Engage in essay writing and debates to boost your analytical skills and confidence.

To get more help, you can visit : https://www.careers360.com/careers/ias-officer

Hope it helps 1

Hello there,

Becoming both an IAS officer and a doctor is achievable but requires dedication and clear planning, as each career has distinct educational and examination paths. Here’s a roadmap to help you achieve both:

1. Complete Your MBBS to Become a Doctor

  • Enroll in an MBBS Program : First, you need to qualify for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and get admission to a medical college.

  • Complete Your Medical Degree : The MBBS program typically takes 5.5 years, including an internship.

  • Gain Experience (Optional) : You may choose to practice medicine for a few years to gain clinical experience, but it’s not mandatory if your goal is to pursue IAS right after MBBS.

    2. Prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)

  • Understand the UPSC Exam Structure : The UPSC CSE has three stages—Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. You can start preparing while in medical school or after completing MBBS.

  • Choose Your Optional Subject : As a doctor, you may consider taking medical science as your optional subject, though it’s not mandatory.

  • Develop a Study Plan : Balance your medical studies or job with UPSC preparation. Many doctors manage both by allocating dedicated study time each day.

  • Appear for the Exam : With a systematic approach, crack the UPSC exam and qualify for the IAS position.

    3. Career Path as a Doctor-IAS

  • IAS Training and Posting : After clearing UPSC, complete your training and take up your role as an IAS officer. You’ll have a broad scope to influence healthcare, public policy, and social development.

  • Consider Government Health Roles : In administrative roles, you could use your medical background to work in health-related departments, where your knowledge of medicine would be a unique asset.

    Additional Pathways

  • Alternative Approach : You could also join as a doctor in a government hospital and then transition to administration by appearing for the UPSC exam when ready.

  • Health Policy and Administration : Use your medical background in policy formulation or in roles within the Ministry of Health, combining both careers for impactful healthcare reforms.

This dual career path is ambitious but can be very rewarding, allowing you to serve in both the medical and administrative fields.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


Hello aspirant, The answer to this question is no. Both of these areas require your complete commitment and dedication. You can not manage both of these together. Also it is not allowed to do any other profession while performing duties as a IAS officer. If you want to practice medical profession then you have to leave your job.

Thank you

Hope it helps you.

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