UPSC age limit at a glance
You must be at least 21 and under 32 on 1 August of the exam year. Reserved categories get extra years on the upper limit: 3 for OBC, 5 for SC/ST and 10 for persons with benchmark disabilities (13 for OBC and 15 for SC/ST PwBD candidates). Ex-servicemen get 5 years and defence personnel disabled in operations 3 years, with conditions set out in the notice.
Age limit and dates of birth by category
CSE 2027 Expected, not yet notified
Not notified yet. UPSC's 2027 calendar puts the notification on 13 January 2027 and prelims on 23 May 2027. Shown with the 2026 rules, which have not changed for years.
| Category | Age on 1 Aug 2027 | Born between |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 21 to under 32 | 2 Aug 1995 – 1 Aug 2006 |
| OBC | 21 to under 35 | 2 Aug 1992 – 1 Aug 2006 |
| SC / ST | 21 to under 37 | 2 Aug 1990 – 1 Aug 2006 |
| PwBD (General / EWS) | 21 to under 42 | 2 Aug 1985 – 1 Aug 2006 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21 to under 45 | 2 Aug 1982 – 1 Aug 2006 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 21 to under 47 | 2 Aug 1980 – 1 Aug 2006 |
| Ex-servicemen (General / EWS) | 21 to under 37 | 2 Aug 1990 – 1 Aug 2006 |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | 21 to under 35 | 2 Aug 1992 – 1 Aug 2006 |
CSE 2026 Official
UPSC Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026
| Category | Age on 1 Aug 2026 | Born between |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 21 to under 32 | 2 Aug 1994 – 1 Aug 2005 |
| OBC | 21 to under 35 | 2 Aug 1991 – 1 Aug 2005 |
| SC / ST | 21 to under 37 | 2 Aug 1989 – 1 Aug 2005 |
| PwBD (General / EWS) | 21 to under 42 | 2 Aug 1984 – 1 Aug 2005 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21 to under 45 | 2 Aug 1981 – 1 Aug 2005 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 21 to under 47 | 2 Aug 1979 – 1 Aug 2005 |
| Ex-servicemen (General / EWS) | 21 to under 37 | 2 Aug 1989 – 1 Aug 2005 |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | 21 to under 35 | 2 Aug 1991 – 1 Aug 2005 |
Number of attempts
| Category | Attempts |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC / ST | Unlimited, within the age limit |
| PwBD (General / EWS / OBC) | 9 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | Unlimited, within the age limit |
Appearing in even one paper of the preliminary exam counts as an attempt. Applying without appearing does not.
How UPSC counts your age
Age is counted on 1 August of the exam year, not on the exam date. “21 to 32” means you must have turned 21 by that day and must not yet have turned 32. The calculator above works out the exact range of birth dates for your category and every exam year you fit, assuming the rules stay the same.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about this calculator and how to understand its results.
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2027?
If the 2026 rules continue, General and EWS candidates must be at least 21 and under 32 on 1 August 2027, which means born between 2 August 1995 and 1 August 2006. UPSC plans to publish the CSE 2027 notification on 13 January 2027.
Can I apply if I turn 32 on 1 August?
No. The notice says you “must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August”, so turning 32 on that day makes you ineligible for that year.
What is the UPSC age limit for OBC and SC/ST?
OBC candidates get 3 extra years (under 35) and SC/ST candidates 5 extra years (under 37). For CSE 2026 that means OBC candidates born on or after 2 August 1991 and SC/ST candidates born on or after 2 August 1989.
How many attempts do I get?
Six for General and EWS, nine for OBC, and unlimited for SC/ST, all within the age limit. PwBD candidates in General, EWS or OBC get nine. You need both: an attempt left and an age within the limit.
Which date of birth does UPSC accept?
The one recorded in your Class 10 (matriculation) or equivalent certificate. UPSC does not accept a change of date of birth later.
Sources
- UPSC: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026.
- UPSC calendar 2027: CSE 2027 notification 13 January 2027, prelims 23 May 2027.