IAS Officer Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the post of an IAS officer are defined by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). You must meet specific requirements related to age, education, nationality, and number of attempts to apply.
Eligibility Summary
| Age Limit (GEN) | 21 to 32 years |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Nationality | Indian / Nepal / Bhutan / Tibetan refugee (before Jan 1, 1962) |
| Experience | No prior experience required |
| Number of Attempts (GEN) | 6 |
Educational Qualification
You must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India.
If you are in your final year of graduation, you can still apply, provided you can produce proof of passing before the final stage of the examination.
Age Limit
You must be between 21 and 32 years of age as on the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification (usually 1st August of the exam year).
Example: If the cut-off date is 1 Aug, 2025, then you must be born between 2 Aug, 1993 and 1 Aug, 2004 (both inclusive).
Age Relaxation
| Sl. | Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 5 Years |
| 2. | OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| 3. | Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years |
| 4. | Ex-Defence Services personnel* | 3 Years |
| 5. | Ex-Servicemen** | 5 Years |
| 6. | Servicemen (ECOs/SSCOs)*** | 5 Years |
* Defence Services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof
** Ex-servicemen, including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs, who have rendered at least five years of Military Service as on 1st August 2026 and have been released on completion of assignment (or whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from that date), otherwise than by dismissal or discharge for misconduct or inefficiency, or on account of disability attributable to Military Service, or on invalidment.
*** ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service as on 1st August, 2026 and whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on three month's notice on selection from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.
Nationality
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement
Experience
No prior work experience is required. You can apply as a fresher.
Number of Attempts*
The number of attempts is counted based on how many times you appear in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
The number of attempts you get depends on your category:
| Category | Number of Attempts |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) (OBC (NCL)) | 9 attempts |
| SC / ST | Unlimited (up to the age limit) |
| PwBD (General / EWS / OBC (NCL)) | 9 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | Unlimited (up to the age limit) |
*An attempt is counted if a candidate appears in at least one paper of the Preliminary Examination.