Average Age of UPSC Selected Candidates – UPSC Toppers Age, Average Age of IAS Officer
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 20th, 2023
The average age of UPSC-selected candidates who pass the IAS exam is approximately 26.9 years, based on a study executed. It is observed that many candidates appearing for the examination clear it even on the first attempt and at quite a young age. The IAS topper Anudeep Durishetty unveils the importance of never giving up. After failing thrice he could clear the IAS exam in 2013 at 28 years. Tina Dabi (22 years) is the youngest IAS topper who acquired admirable AIR 1 in the civil services examination (2015). Walk through the article to get complete details about the average age of UPSC-selected candidates as provided here.
The average age of UPSC-selected candidates will galvanize many candidates to adopt a unique preparation strategy to get their names enlisted therein. In contrast, candidates preparing for the IAS exam for many years exemplify diligence, tolerance, and perseverance such as Kanishak Kataria who presents an incredible success story. This article illustrates the complete details of the average age of UPSC-selected candidates, and toppers’ age and describes the success of a few popular toppers from 2001 to 2022.
Table of content
What is Average Age of UPSC Selected Candidates?
An individual who desires to clear the exam must possess aptitude, confidence, and commitment toward the final goal. The youngest IAS Officer in India, Ansar Shaikh, cleared the IAS exam with appropriate planning and preparation. It is a remarkable accomplishment to gain the IAS topper’s rank at an extremely young age.
By putting in immense dedication and hard work he could make his name enlisted among the youngest IAS Officers and reduced the average of the UPSC toppers age. The table below gives the average age of the IAS topper who attained the All India Rank 1. It can be easily understood from the table that the average age of UPSC-selected candidates is around 27 years.
Year | Name of UPSC Selected Candidates | Age of UPSC Toppers |
2001 | Alok Ranjan Jha | 27 |
2002 | Ankur Garg | 22 |
2003 | Roopa Mishra | 26 |
2004 | S Nagarajan | 25 |
2005 | Mona Pruthi | 27 |
2006 | Mutyalaraju Revu | 27 |
2007 | Adapa Karthik | 28 |
2008 | Shubhra Saxena | 30 |
2009 | Shah Faesal | 27 |
2010 | S Divyadharshini | 24 |
2011 | Shena Aggarwal | 24 |
2012 | Haritha V Kumar | 26 |
2013 | Gaurav Agrawal | 29 |
2014 | Ira Singhal | 31 |
2015 | Tina Dabi | 22 |
2016 | Nandini K R | 27 |
2017 | Anudeep Durishetty | 28 |
2018 | Kanishak Kataria | 26 |
2019 | Pradeep Singh | 29 |
2020 | Shubham Kumar | 25 |
2021 | Ansar Ahmed Shaikh | 21 |
2022 | Shruti Sharma | 25 |
2023 | Ishita Kishore | 27 |
Average Age of IAS Officers
The life of an IAS Officer is endowed with numerous roles and responsibilities, and the preparation of the most sought-after exam prepares the candidates well for the upcoming roles. Ira Singhal became the IAS topper at 31 in 2014 despite having some physical abnormalities due to a well-enriched UPSC preparation strategy.
The average age for clearing UPSC lies under the age range of 26 to 28 years, whereas 26.9 years is the average age of UPSC-selected candidates. Given below are the details about the toppers and other relevant information. Candidates can download UPSC study material to understand the expert’s advice in preparing for the UPSC exam and to know the latest exam trends.
Anudeep Durishetty UPSC Topper (2017)
- Anudeep Durishetty’s age was 28 when he cleared the civil services examination.
- Madhavi was Anudeep Durishetty’s wife.
- The total number of attempts taken by Anudeep Durishetty was 5, and the very first time he gave the exam was in 2012.
Kanishak Kataria (AIR 1) – IAS Topper 2018
- Kanishak Kataria is famous for topping the UPSC exam of 2018 on the very first attempt.
- He scored 1121 marks out of a total of 2025 marks.
- Kanishak Kataria’s age when he cleared UPSC was 26.
Ira Singhal (UPSC Exam Topper 2014)
- Ira Singhal became the IAS topper in 2014.
- She got AIR 1 rank and was one of the IAS toppers at the age of 30, despite being physically challenged.
- Ira appeared for the exam three times in 2010, 2011, and 2013.
Tina Dabi IAS Topper (2015)
- Tina was a 22-year-old woman who topped the 2015 UPSC examination on her first attempt.
- She was an IAS officer of the 2016 batch who got engaged to the IAS officer of the 2013 batch, Dr. Pradeep Gawande.
- Ria Dabi, Tina Dabi’s younger sister, cracked the IAS examination and secured 15th rank.
Increase in Average Age of UPSC Selected Candidates
The table demonstrates that the women falling under the age bracket of 24 to 26 years and men lying under the age range of 26 to 28 years excelled in the UPSC exam for the year 2019. A multitude of candidates take the UPSC exam but only a few can crack the exam and become one of the IAS Officers selected every year. The average age of the UPSC-selected candidates segregated in the prelims and mains have been highlighted here by the experts. The candidates can take a look at the illustrated table lying herein to gain complete knowledge of the average age of UPSC-selected candidates.
Average Age of UPSC Selected Candidates: Females Candidate in UPSC 2019
The table below illustrates the female candidates selected for the IAS exam in the prelims and mains phases. The percentage will reflect the average age of UPSC-selected candidates.
- The highest percentage (35.0%) were from the age level 21-24 years in the UPSC Prelims 2019.
- The highest percentage (32.3%) of the female candidates suggested were also from 24-26 years old.
Age Group | Average Age of UPSC Selected Candidates In UPSC Prelims | Average Age of IAS Officers |
21-24 Years | 35.0% | 16.3% |
24-26 Years | 23.6% | 29.8% |
26-28 Years | 17.2% | 27.3% |
28-30 Years | 11.5% | 15.2% |
30 Years & above | 12.7% | 11.4% |
Total | 31.3% | 13.2% |
Average Age of UPSC Selected Candidates: Distribution of Male Candidates in UPSC 2019
The table below illustrates the average age of UPSC selected candidates in 2019. This list elaborates on the percentages of male candidates selected for the exam in 2019.
- The highest percentage (26.8%) of male candidates who appeared for the prelims exam were from the age group 21-24 years.
- The majority of male candidates who passed the UPSC mains exam 2019 belonged to the age group 26-28 years, bearing a percentage count of 25.6%.
Age Group | Average Age of IAS Officers | The average age of UPSC selected candidates in Mains exam |
21-24 Years | 26.8% | 13.0% |
24-26 Years | 22.6% | 24.3% |
26-28 Years | 18.6% | 25.6% |
28-30 Years | 14.0% | 18.5% |
30 Years & above | 18.0% | 18.6% |
Total | 68.7% | 86.8% |
The toppers and the candidates who have got selected adopted a unique strategy to clear the exam. Hard work and tenacity are the key ingredients in determining the level of success the candidates can achieve.