The eligibility criteria for the IAS exam are set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and include requirements related to nationality, age, educational qualifications, and number of attempts. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria:
1. Nationality
For Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS):
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
For other services:
- A candidate can also be a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan.
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1962 with the intention of settling permanently in India is also eligible.
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of settling permanently in India is eligible. However, such candidates must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Indian government.
2. Age Limit
The candidate must meet the following age requirements (as of 1st August of the year of the exam):
Age Relaxation:
- General category: 21 to 32 years
- OBC (Other Backward Classes): 21 to 35 years
- SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): 21 to 37 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 21 to 42 years (for General), 21 to 45 years (for OBC), 21 to 47 years (for SC/ST)
- Defense Services Personnel: 21 to 35 years
- Ex-servicemen: 21 to 37 years
- Government servants: Upper age limit is extended by up to 5 years for those working in the Government.
Number of Attempts:
- General category: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the maximum age limit (37 years)
- PwD (General): 9 attempts
- PwD (OBC): 9 attempts
- PwD (SC/ST): Unlimited attempts until the age limit (47 years)
Note : If a candidate appears for the Prelims exam more than once, each attempt will count toward the limit.
3. Educational Qualification
Candidates must meet the following educational criteria:
- Bachelor’s Degree: The candidate must hold a degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates who are in the final year of their degree are also eligible to apply but must produce proof of passing their degree before the Mains exam.
- Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognized by the government as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree are also eligible.
4. Physical Standards
For candidates applying for IPS (Indian Police Service), there are additional physical requirements that need to be met, which include:
Height:
- Men: Minimum 165 cm
- Women: Minimum 150 cm
Chest:
- Men: 84 cm (unexpanded), 89 cm (expanded)
- Women: 79 cm (unexpanded), 84 cm (expanded)
Vision:
- Candidates must meet specific eyesight requirements, such as 6/6 or 6/9 vision in at least one eye.
Candidates applying for IAS are not required to meet these physical standards, but those applying for IPS must meet the physical standards listed.
5. Number of Attempts
- General Category: Candidates are allowed a maximum of 6 attempts in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
- OBC Category: Candidates are allowed a maximum of 9 attempts.
- SC/ST Category: Candidates have unlimited attempts until they reach the maximum age limit (37 years).
- PwD Category: Relaxed attempts based on the category and age.
Important Points:
- Candidates appearing for the final year of their degree examination are also eligible for the exam but must provide proof of passing the exam by the time of the Mains exam.
- Candidates who have appeared in the final exam but are awaiting results are also eligible to apply for the exam, but they must present proof of eligibility before the Mains exam.
