UPSC age limit 2026 at a glance
| Category | Relaxation | Upper age limit | Must be born on or after |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | — | 32 | 2 August 1994 |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 | 35 | 2 August 1991 |
| SC / ST | +5 | 37 | 2 August 1989 |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | +10 | 42 | 2 August 1984 |
| PwBD + OBC | +13 | 45 | 2 August 1981 |
| PwBD + SC/ST | +15 | 47 | 2 August 1979 |
| Ex-Servicemen (Gen) | +5 | 37 | 2 August 1989 |
Crucial date: 1 August 2026. Minimum age: 21 years (no lower-age relaxation). Attempts: General/EWS 6 · OBC 9 · SC/ST unlimited. Source: UPSC Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (04.02.2026), Para 3(II).
Why the crucial date matters more than your age today
Commissions do not measure your age when you fill the form or sit the paper. They measure it on one fixed day — the crucial date printed in the notification. A birthday two weeks after the crucial date belongs to the next cycle, not this one. And they count completed years: turning the limit age on the crucial date itself puts you out unless the notification states the limit is inclusive.
How to check your eligibility
- Enter the date of birth printed on your Class 10 / Matriculation certificate — that is the only document commissions accept.
- Keep the crucial date as shown (change it only if you are testing a different notification cycle).
- Pick your category so the relaxation is added to the upper limit correctly.
- Read the verdict, then confirm it against the official notification before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UPSC age limit for 2026?
21 to 32 years for General and EWS, reckoned on 1 August 2026. OBC gets +3 (35), SC/ST +5 (37) and PwBD +10 (42 for General/EWS).
On which date is UPSC age calculated?
1 August of the examination year. For CSE 2026 that is 1 August 2026; the 2027 cycle will fix its own date in the 13 January 2027 notification.
Is there any relaxation in the minimum age of 21?
No. The minimum is 21 completed years on 1 August for every category.
Can OBC/SC/ST relaxation be combined with PwBD?
Yes — the notice allows the relaxations to be added together, so PwBD + OBC reaches 45 and PwBD + SC/ST reaches 47.
Which document decides my date of birth?
Only the DOB on your Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate. Horoscopes, affidavits and service records are not accepted, and the recorded date cannot be changed later.
How many UPSC attempts do I have?
6 for General/EWS, 9 for OBC, and no limit for SC/ST as long as you are within the age limit.