Exams / UPSC Prelims / Eligibility
UPSC Prelims eligibility: age limit, relaxation, fee and qualification
Read from Union Public Service Commission's own notice: Civil Services Examination, 2026 - Examination Notice (Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE), dated 4 Feb 2026. Shishya read it on 26 Oct 2026. Open the official notice.
Civil Services 2026 notice. The 2027 notice was not out on 26 Oct 2026. A newer notice can change any of this — confirm on www.upsc.gov.in before you apply.
Am I eligible for UPSC Prelims?
Type your date of birth, category and qualification. The answer is as per the notice dated 4 Feb 2026.
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Age limit and qualification by post
21 to 32 years on 1 Aug 2026 for General Age is counted on 1 Aug 2026.
| Post | Age (General) | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Services (IAS, IFS, IPS and Central Services) - 933 vacancies incl. 33 PwBD | Born 2 Aug 1994 to 1 Aug 2005 (21-32) | Graduate degree from a university set up by central/state Act, deemed university, or equivalent qualification.Final-year students may apply. |
Age relaxation by category
OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD up to +15 years
| Category | Years added | With a disability (PwBD) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | None | +10 |
| EWS | None stated | +10 |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | +3 | +13 |
| SC | +5 | +15 |
| ST | +5 | +15 |
- PwBD relaxation is up to 10 years; notice says SC/ST/OBC candidates who are also PwBD or ex-servicemen get cumulative relaxation (so 13 years for an OBC candidate with a disability and 15 for SC/ST)
- Defence personnel disabled in operations and released: up to 3 years
- Ex-servicemen incl. commissioned officers/ECOs/SSCOs with 5+ years military service as on 1 Aug 2026 released on completion etc.: up to 5 years
- ECOs/SSCOs with 5 years done and extended assignment, with MoD certificate: up to 5 years
- No relaxation for EWS stated
Application fee
- ₹100: Prelims fee for all except female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates
- ₹0: Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates (exempt)
Those admitted to Mains pay a further Rs 200 (same exemptions). Fee not refundable.
Other conditions in the notice
- IAS, IFS, IPS: must be a citizen of India; other services also open to Nepal/Bhutan subjects, pre-1962 Tibetan refugees and specified persons of Indian origin with eligibility certificate
- Attempts: 6 for General/EWS; 9 for OBC; unlimited for SC/ST; PwBD 9 for GL/EWS/OBC and unlimited for SC/ST (subject to age limit)
- Appearing in any one Prelims paper counts as an attempt
- Serving IAS/IFS members cannot appear; IPS selectees cannot opt for IPS again
- Physical/medical standards per Appendix-III of CSE Rules 2026
Questions
What is the age limit for UPSC Prelims?
21 to 32 years on 1 Aug 2026 for General, as per the notice dated 4 Feb 2026 (Union Public Service Commission). Confirm on https://www.upsc.gov.in.
What age relaxation does UPSC Prelims give?
OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD up to +15 years, as per the notice dated 4 Feb 2026. Confirm on https://www.upsc.gov.in.
What is the UPSC Prelims application fee?
₹100: Prelims fee for all except female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates; ₹0: Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates (exempt) (as per the notice dated 4 Feb 2026).
What qualification is needed for UPSC Prelims?
Civil Services (IAS, IFS, IPS and Central Services) - 933 vacancies incl. 33 PwBD: Graduate degree from a university set up by central/state Act, deemed university, or equivalent qualification. (as per the notice dated 4 Feb 2026).
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These facts are paraphrased from the official notice linked above, read with AI help; the notice is the final word. Ex-servicemen, government employees, widows and other special relaxations are listed in the notes above, not in the check.