Understanding UPSC Exam Eligibility: Age Limits, Attempts, and Cut-Offs

Understanding UPSC Exam Eligibility: Age Limits, Attempts, and Cut-Offs – A Guide by Indus IAS Academy, Bangalore

For every UPSC aspirant, having a clear understanding of eligibility criteria and exam cut-offs is crucial. At Indus IAS Academy, Bangalore, we believe that the first step towards successful preparation is clarity. Here's a detailed overview of age limits, attempt rules, and cut-off marks to help you plan your UPSC journey with confidence.

📌 Age Limit – Are You Eligible to Apply?

The minimum age to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is 21 years, and the maximum age limit varies based on the candidate's category. Age is calculated as on August 1st of the exam year.

Category	Minimum Age	Maximum Age
General (UR)	21 years	32 years
OBC	21 years	35 years
SC/ST	21 years	37 years
PwBD – General	21 years	42 years
PwBD – OBC	21 years	45 years
PwBD – SC/ST	21 years	47 years

This generous age range ensures that candidates from all backgrounds have a fair opportunity to compete in this prestigious exam.

📚 Number of Attempts – Know Your Chances

UPSC also restricts the number of attempts for candidates based on their category:

Category	Attempts Allowed
General (UR)	6 attempts
OBC	9 attempts
SC/ST	Unlimited (till 37 yrs)
PwBD (General/OBC)	9 attempts
PwBD (SC/ST)	Unlimited (within age)

It’s important to plan each attempt wisely. Indus IAS mentors help aspirants optimize their strategy so they can make every attempt count.

✅ UPSC Prelims – Cut-Offs and Qualifying Marks

The Preliminary stage has two papers:

• Paper I – General Studies (GS): 200 marks – used to determine merit.

• Paper II – CSAT: 200 marks – qualifying only; minimum 33% (66 marks) required.

✳️ 2023 Prelims Cut-Offs (Paper I - GS):

• General: 75.41

• OBC: 74.75

• SC: 59.25

• ST: 47.82

Aspirants must focus on Paper I while ensuring they clear CSAT with ease. At Indus IAS, we provide exclusive CSAT sessions to help students overcome this qualifying hurdle.

✍️ UPSC Mains – Marking Structure and Cut-Offs

The Mains exam includes 7 merit-based papers, each of 250 marks, totaling 1750 marks. Additionally, there are two qualifying papers:

• Paper A (Indian Language) – Minimum 75/300 (25%)

• Paper B (English) – Minimum 75/300 (25%)

To be considered for the final merit list, aspirants must also score at least 10% in each merit-based paper.

2023 Mains Cut-Offs (Out of 1750):

• SC: 694

• ST: 692

🎯 Final Selection – Mains + Interview

The final stage includes the Personality Test (Interview), which carries 275 marks, bringing the total to 2025 marks.

2023 Final Cut-Offs (Mains + Interview):

• SC: 890

• ST: 891

These numbers give a realistic idea of the competition. With a strategic plan and consistent guidance, crossing these benchmarks is entirely possible.

🎓 Indus IAS Academy – Your Trusted Partner in UPSC Preparation

At Indus IAS Academy, Bangalore, we focus on personalized mentoring, quality content, and strategic preparation. Our faculty members, many of whom are ex-civil servants and subject experts, understand the pulse of the exam.

Whether you're attempting your first UPSC exam or making your final attempt, we ensure that you're not alone in your journey.

Success in UPSC requires more than just hard work – it demands clarity, strategy, and the right guidance. Understanding the age limits, attempts allowed, and previous year cut-offs helps aspirants make informed decisions. At Indus IAS Academy, we’re committed to building a community of focused, well-prepared, and confident civil service aspirants.

Ready to Begin Your UPSC Journey? Contact Indus IAS Academy, Bangalore today and take the first step towards your dream career in civil services.

Media Team | Indus Academy

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