The full form for UPSC is Union Public Service Commission.UPSC organizes the recruitment exam for the Union Government and is consulted by the Indian President for specific matters. The UPSC conducts the CSE exam known as the UPSC Civil Services Exam. The minimum eligibility criteria for most of the UPSC exams is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. For services other than IPS, IAS, IFS citizens from other nations are also eligible.UPSC exam such as All India Services are mainly reserved only for Indian citizens. Before understanding the eligibility criteria candidates should know which are the exams conducted by the UPSC.
The following exams are conducted by the UPSC as per the dates notified in the UPSC exam calendar –
- Civil Services Exam also known as CSE exam including IAS, IPS and IFoS
- CAPF – Combined Armed Police Forces
- Combined medical Services Exam (CMS)
- Engineering Services exam (IES)
- Combined Geo-Scientist exam
- Indian Statistical Services Exam/Indian Economic Services(ISS/IES)
- (NA and NDA) -Naval Academy exam and National Defense Academy
- CDS- Combined Defense Services exam
UPSC eligibility:
The minimum eligibility criteria for the majority of the UPSC exams is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. The UPSC eligibility for different UPSC exams is presented below in the table.
| UPSC exam | Eligibility |
| Civil Services exam | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| Engineering Services exam | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| CAPF exam | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| Combined Medical Services Exam | Degree of MBBS |
| Combined Defense Services exam | INA-Engineering degree of a recognised Institute or university
AFA-Graduation with Math and Physics class 12 or Bachelor of engineering IMA-Graduation from a recognised university |
| Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services Exam | Post graduate Degree in Applied Economics or Economics or Business Economics or Econometrics from a recognised University |
| Combined Geo Scientist exam | Master’s degree in Geology or Applied Geology or Geological Science or Mineral Exploration or Marine Geology or Engineering Geology or Resources Management or Coastal Areas Studies or Petroleum or Petroleum Geosciences or Earth Science and resources Management or Oceanography |
| National Defense Academy and Naval Academy exam | Air Force and Naval wings – Passed in Class 12 or Equivalent examination with Mathematics and Physics |
Components for UPSC eligibility:
There are different eligibility criteria for the UPSC exam which the candidate should understand clearly.UPSC eligibility has not changed in recent years. This section contains the information of each component of the eligibility criteria for the UPSC exam. UPSC eligibility can be divided into the following sections.
- IAS Age Limit
- Nationality
- Educational Qualification for UPSC exam
- Special restrictions
The candidate must fulfill each eligibility criteria. If the candidate is unable to fulfill the required eligibility criteria the candidate will not be eligible for the UPSC exam.
UPSC IAS age Limit:
The UPSC IAS age limit has been mentioned in the official IAS notification provided by the UPSC. UPSC can cancel the application of the candidates who do not fall under the prescribed age limit by the UPSC . The Candidate must ensure that they are between the age limit provided for IAS by the UPSC.
IAS age limit for General category candidates:
- 21 years -Lower age limit
- 32 years – Upper age limit
UPSC IAS eligibility:Nationality
IAS is known as Indian Administrative Service. For services other than All India Services(IPS , IAS, IFos), candidates from other nations are also eligible. The All India Services are reserved only for Indian Citizens.
Central Civil Services Eligibility:
Below are the candidates which can be appointed for the Central Civil Service.
- A citizen from India
- a citizen from Bhutan
- A citizen from Nepal
- With the intention of permanently settling in India a Tibetan refugee who was in India before 1 January 1962.
- An Indian origin person with the intention of permanently settling in India who had migrated from Burma, Pakistan, East African countries of Kenya, Sri lanka,The United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zaire, Malawi, Vietnam, Ethiopia and Uganda.
For the Indian Foreign Service the candidates from other countries are not eligible as this service is reserved for Indian citizens only.
Qualification for IAS:
There is no minimum percentage criteria in the qualifying exam for the CSE exam and also the IAS exam is open to all exams. Basically the educational qualification required for IAS is that the candidates must have a graduation degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university or institute.Graduate candidate with any marks or percentage is applicable to become an IAS officer.
Qualification for the Medical Field candidates:
The Candidates who have qualified the M.B.B.S or other Medical examination while their internship is not completed at the time of submission of their applications for CSE exam will be provisionally let into the examination.
Special restrictions for the IAS :
The candidates who are already appointed as an IAS or Indian Foreign Services will not be eligible to compete in the IAS exam. They will be required to resign to compete again in the IAS exam.The candidate must be physically and mentally fit as after the interview the candidates are required to undergo a medical test at the allotted medical center.
