Navigating the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) eligibility rules is the first hurdle for every aspirant. With the release of the UPSC 2026 Notification, several key administrative updates—including new restrictions for serving officers and the permanent URN system—have been formalized.
If you are planning to sit for the exam on May 24, 2026, this guide provides a unique, comprehensive breakdown of the mandatory requirements you must meet.
1. Nationality Requirements
The nationality criteria vary depending on the specific service you aim to join.
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For IAS, IPS, and IFS: You must be a citizen of India.
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For Other Services (Group A/B): A candidate can be:
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A citizen of India, or
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A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
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A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to settle permanently.
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A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) migrated from specified countries (e.g., Pakistan, Sri Lanka, East African nations) with the intent of permanent settlement.
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2. UPSC Age Limit 2026 (Crucial Cut-off Date)
For the 2026 cycle, the age is calculated as of August 1, 2026.
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Minimum Age: 21 Years (Must be born on or before August 1, 2005).
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Maximum Age (General): 32 Years (Must be born on or after August 2, 1994).
Category-Wise Age Relaxation
| Category | Upper Age Limit | Total Relaxation |
| General / EWS | 32 Years | None |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 35 Years | 3 Years |
| SC / ST | 37 Years | 5 Years |
| PwBD | 42 Years | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 37 Years | 5 Years |
3. Educational Qualification
The UPSC does not require a specific percentage or stream. Whether you are from an Arts, Science, or Engineering background, the playing field is level.
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Minimum Degree: A Bachelor’s degree from any government-recognized university.
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Final Year Students: You can apply for the Prelims 2026 if you are in your final year. However, you must produce proof of passing the degree while filling out the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) for the Mains.
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Professional Degrees: Candidates with MBBS (even if the internship is pending) or other professional degrees like CA/ICWA are fully eligible.
4. Number of Attempts
An “attempt” is counted the moment you appear for General Studies Paper-I in the Prelims. Simply filling out the form does not count as an attempt.
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
| General / EWS | 6 Attempts |
| OBC | 9 Attempts |
| PwBD (Gen/OBC/EWS) | 9 Attempts |
| SC / ST | Unlimited (Until age limit) |
5. Important Restrictions for 2026
The Commission has introduced strict rules to prevent “seat blocking”:
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Serving IAS/IFS Officers: If you are already appointed to the IAS or IFS and continue to serve, you are not eligible to appear for the 2026 exam.
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IPS Restrictions: Serving IPS officers cannot opt for the Indian Police Service again in their service preference.
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The URN Rule: All candidates must register via the Universal Registration Number (URN). This is a one-time process; you do not need to register again for future UPSC exams.
