Approximately 10 lakh aspirants take the UPSC exam every year, but only 0.2% of candidates clear it. 

So, if you’re dreaming of becoming a civil servant, you must know it’s a challenging yet rewarding journey. To ensure you’re on the right track, it’s essential to ask yourself whether you have checked the UPSC eligibility criteria for 2025. Knowing these details, from age limits to the number of attempts, can save you a lot of stress early on.

In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know so you can start your UPSC journey confidently!

UPSC Civil Services Exam Overview

The Civil Services Examination (CSE), conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), aims to recruit candidates for various civil services posts, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Revenue Service (IRS). 

The CSE is conducted annually and follows a strict selection process consisting of three main stages: preliminary examination, main examination, and personality test (interview).

Exam Pattern

1. Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Exam consists of two compulsory objective-type (MCQ) papers:

Note: Blind candidates are, however, allowed an extra time of twenty minutes on each paper.

2. Main Examination

A. Written Examination

The written examination consists of the following papers:

Notes: 

1. The qualifying papers are of Matriculation or equivalent standard, and the marks obtained in these papers are not counted for ranking.
2. The question papers (other than the literature of language papers) are set in Hindi and English only.

List of Optional Subjects: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English.

Also Read: UPSC CSE Complete Syllabus

B. Personality Test / Interview

After the written exam, qualified candidates are called for an interview worth 275 marks. A Board of competent and unbiased panel members interviews the candidate. The objective of the interview is to assess the candidate's suitability for a career in civil services, focusing on their personality, general awareness, and intellectual qualities.

Pro Tip: As a candidate, you must show an active interest in your academic subjects and current events happening locally and globally. You must also stay curious about new ideas and discoveries, and showcase them to the interviewers.

The final merit list is based on the total marks obtained in the Mains Examination (written and interview), which adds up to a maximum of 2025 marks. The selection process considers the candidate’s exam score and preference for different services and posts.

Not sure about your eligibility or preparation strategy? At ICS Institute, we’ll help you clarify your doubts, build a solid plan, and ensure you’re fully prepared.

With the UPSC exam pattern and stages laid out, it's time to explore the key eligibility criteria for UPSC 2025, so you can ensure you're fully qualified to begin your preparation.

UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2025

The official notification for UPSC CSE 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025. It outlines the eligibility criteria for candidates aspiring to appear for the exam. These criteria include essential aspects such as age limit, educational qualifications, and nationality. 

Additionally, certain relaxations are provided for reserved categories, including SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates. Reservation benefits, such as variation in cut-off marks, are applicable at each level of the selection process. 

Therefore, it is crucial to understand whether you qualify for these benefits before proceeding with your preparation. Let’s begin.

1. UPSC Age Limit

According to the UPSC, the age limit for the CSE 2025 as of August 1, 2025, is:

• General: 21 - 32 years.  
• OBC (Other Backward Classes): 21 - 35 years (including a maximum relaxation of three years).
• SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): 21 - 37 years (including a maximum relaxation of five years).
• PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities): 21 - 42 years (including a maximum relaxation of ten years).

Note: PwBD includes candidates with: 

(a) blindness and low vision; 

(b) deaf and low hearing;

(c) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness; 

(d) locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy; and

(e) Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d), including deaf-blindness.

• Ex-serviceman (Defence Services personnel) Discharged From Duty Due To Disability:

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• Ex-serviceman Discharged After 5 Years' Duty:

2. Educational Qualification

To be eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), candidates must meet the following educational requirements:

• Minimum Educational Qualification:
  
  • A Bachelor’s degree from a government-recognized university or an equivalent professional or technical qualification recognized by the Government.
  • The degree must be from a university incorporated by an Act of the State or Central Legislature, any institution established by an Act of Parliament, or one declared to be a deemed university under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act of 1956.
• Eligibility for Final-Year Students:
  
  • Candidates in the final year of their undergraduate degree or awaiting results can appear for the UPSC Prelims Examination.
  • However, when applying for the UPSC Mains Examination, they must prove they have passed the degree.
• Eligibility for Medical Students:
  
  • Candidates who have completed the final year of MBBS or any other medical course but have not completed their internship can still apply for the UPSC Mains Examination.
  • However, they must submit a certificate from the concerned authority confirming the completion of their medical exams along with their Mains application.
  • During the interview, they must produce the original degree or a certificate confirming completion of all requirements (including the internship).
• Graduation from Other Universities:
  
  • In exceptional cases, candidates with a graduation degree from universities not listed above may be allowed to appear if UPSC approves their institution.

This covers the essential educational qualifications needed to appear for UPSC CSE 2025. Please verify all criteria before applying.

3. Number of Attempts

The number of attempts allowed for the UPSC Civil Services Examination varies based on the candidate’s category. Here is a summary of the attempt limits:

• General Category: Maximum six attempts until the maximum age limit.
• OBC (Other Backward Classes): Maximum nine attempts until the maximum age limit.
• SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): Unlimited attempts until the maximum age limit.
• Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD):
  
  • General/OBC: Maximum nine attempts until the maximum age limit.
  • SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the maximum age limit.
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): Maximum six attempts until the maximum age limit (32 years).
• Ex-Servicemen: Ex-servicemen discharged due to disability or after 5 years of service will be eligible as per the category limits (General, OBC, SC/ST, or Disabled).

Note: An attempt is only counted if you appear for the UPSC Prelims Exam. Just applying does not count as an attempt.

4. Nationality

Candidates applying for the UPSC CSE Exam must satisfy the following nationality requirements:

• IAS, IPS: A Citizen of India.
• IFS: A Citizen of India or a Person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, and Vietnam, to settle in India permanently.
• Other Services: 
  
  • A citizen of India, Nepal, or Bhutan, or
  • A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 to settle permanently, or
  • A Person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zaire, and Vietnam, to settle in India permanently.

Note: Candidates who are citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan Refugees must furnish a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. They can appear for the exam before obtaining the certificate, but will receive an appointment offer only after the Government of India issues the certificate.

Did You Know? To become a Civil Servant through the UPSC CSE, candidates must pass the written exams and meet specific physical fitness standards outlined in Appendix III of the UPSC Exam Rules published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary, February 2023. This is especially important for roles like IPS officers or positions in Indian Railways and police services.

Considering the UPSC eligibility criteria 2025, let’s examine the restrictions you must know before submitting your application.

Restrictions on Applying For the UPSC Civil Services Examination

UPSC has set certain restrictions for candidates already serving in specific civil services to maintain fairness and streamline recruitment. Here’s a look at those restrictions:

• IAS/IFS Officers: Candidates who are already appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Foreign Service (IFS) based on a previous UPSC CSE result and are currently serving in these positions cannot appear for the UPSC exam in the same year.
• IPS Officers: Candidates who have been appointed to the Indian Police Service (IPS) through a prior UPSC CSE result and are currently serving as IPS officers cannot opt for IPS as a preference in the same year.

Conclusion

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a prestigious and rigorous exam that recruits civil servants for key positions such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. 

Understanding the exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and other requirements is essential for any aspirant who wishes to succeed.

However, that’s not enough. Only 50% of candidates who apply make it to the prelims exam, and out of those, just 5% advance to the mains. 

Only about 20% of those candidates reach the interview round, and only 40% make it to the service. Given the fierce competition, a well-planned preparation strategy and execution are mandatory. 

That’s where the ICS Institute for Competitive Examinations can help.

With over a decade of experience, ICS has been a trusted name in providing high-quality coaching and guidance for UPSC and other competitive exams in Karnataka. 

Ready to start your journey towards a successful career in civil services? Contact ICS today to begin your preparation with the best coaching support available in North Karnataka.

FAQs

1. Is a diploma holder eligible for UPSC?

No, a diploma holder is not eligible to appear for the UPSC Civil Services exam, as the UPSC candidates must have at least a graduation degree before applying. 

2. Is there a minimum percentage required for graduation for the IAS exam?

No, there is no minimum percentage needed to score in your graduation. You only require a Bachelor’s degree from a government-recognized university.

3. Do female candidates get any extra attempts or age relaxations?

NO, there is no age relaxation or extra attempts for female candidates in UPSC CSE. However, they don’t have to pay the application fees.

4. What is the creamy layer for OBC candidates, and how does it impact the relaxations?

The creamy layer concept sets a threshold based on the income of the candidate's parents to determine eligibility for OBC reservation benefits. Suppose the parents' combined income exceeds Rs. 8 lakh per year for non-government employees, or is determined by the parents' rank for government employees. In that case, the candidate is considered part of the creamy layer and is not eligible for reservation benefits or relaxations.