How Many Attempts for UPSC? – Check UPSC Attempt Limit Category-wise
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
How Many Attempts for UPSC: There are a total of six attempts for the UPSC Exam for the candidates belonging to the general category. In its official notification, the Union Public Service Commission mentioned the UPSC Attempt Limits for all categories – General, SC/ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD. Initially, the UPSC Attempts for the general category was four but was later changed to six attempts till 32 years of age.
This article will discuss how many attempts for UPSC Exam are allowed for candidates from various categories like General, OBC, SC/ST, Physically Handicapped, Disable servicemen, etc. Candidates must take note of the UPSC Attempt Limit before applying for the CSE and try clearing the exam on their first attempt only.
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How Many Attempts for UPSC?
Per the UPSC Eligibility criteria, candidates are only eligible to apply for the UPSC Exam a limited number of times. Each candidate must know his/her attempt limit to execute a proper plan to succeed. Each attempt is crucial, and candidates must aim to make as few UPSC attempts as possible to crack the Civil Services Examination.
The lowest number of UPSC Attempts are for the candidates from general categories, i.e., Six, and candidates from SC/ST categories get the highest number of UPSC Attempts.
Besides the UPSC Attempts, candidates must also look at their Age Limit. Otherwise, the attempts are of no use. Candidates should take advantage of the number of attempts before reaching their upper age limit.
Candidates must remember that the number of attempts is the same for IPS, IRS, IFS, and others. Below we will discuss the number of attempts allowed for candidates from each category.
UPSC Attempts for General Category
As mentioned above, candidates from the general category get a lower number of UPSC Attempts, which is six. Additionally, the upper age limit is 32 years. General Category candidates must fulfill their six attempts before reaching their upper age limit.
| IAS Attempts for General Category | |
| Number of Attempts | 6 |
| Upper Age Limit | 32 |
IAS Attempts for OBC Category
Candidates from the OBC category get relaxation of the upper age limit and on UPSC Attempts. The UPSC Attempt Limit for the OBC category is 9. Also, the upper age limit for OBC candidates is 35 years in the IAS Exam.
| UPSC Attempts for OBC Category | |
| Number of Attempts | 9 |
| Upper Age Limit | 35 |
UPSC Attempt Limit for SC/ST
SC/ST candidates get an unlimited number of IAS attempts till the upper age limit is reached. The upper age limit for the SC/ST candidates is 37 years. This implies that SC/ST candidates can apply as often as they want until the age of 37 years.
| UPSC Attempts for SC/ST Category | |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited till the upper age limit is reached |
| Upper Age Limit | 37 |
UPSC Attempts for Physically Handicapped (PwD)
Physically handicapped candidates also get relaxation on their upper age limit and the number of attempts for UPSC. Physically Handicapped candidates from the general and OBC categories get 9 UPSC Attempts. Physically Handicapped candidates from SC/ST categories get unlimited attempts until their upper age limit is reached.
The upper age limit for the Physically Handicapped is 42 years.
| IAS Attempts for Physically Handicapped | |
| Number of Attempts | 9 attempts for Gen and OBC; Unlimited attempts for SC/ST till the prescribed age limit. |
| Upper Age Limit | 42 |
IAS Attempts for Disabled Servicemen
The UPSC Attempt Limit for Disabled Servicemen is unlimited till the upper age limit is reached for SC/ST category. The Disabled servicemen from the general category get age relaxation up to 37 years. Disabled servicemen from the OBC category get age relaxation up to 38 years, and SC/ST categories get 40 years of upper age limit relaxation.
| UPSC Attempts for Disabled Servicemen | |
| Number of Attempts | 9 attempts for Gen and OBC; Unlimited attempts for SC/ST till the prescribed age limit. |
| Upper Age Limit | 37 (Gen), 38 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST) |
