How it's calculated
The CSE 2026 notice says a candidate "must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years" on 1 August 2026, and prints the matching range of dates of birth. The calculator checks your date of birth against that range, moves the earliest allowed date back by your category's relaxation, and counts your remaining attempts.
Estimate only. Official results, marks and eligibility are decided by the Union Public Service Commission. Verify on the official website.
Worked example: born 20 May 1993
Age on 1 August 2026: 33 years 2 months. The General limit allows dates of birth from 2 August 1994, so this candidate is over the limit as a General candidate.
As an OBC candidate (3 years' relaxation) the earliest date moves to 2 August 1991, so the same candidate is eligible, with up to 9 attempts.
Age limit and attempts by category (CSE 2026)
| Category | Upper age relaxation | Born on or after | Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | None | 2 August 1994 | 6 |
| OBC | 3 years | 2 August 1991 | 9 |
| SC / ST | 5 years | 2 August 1989 | No limit |
| PwBD (General / EWS) | 10 years | 2 August 1984 | 9 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years | 2 August 1981 | 9 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 years | 2 August 1979 | No limit |
| Ex-servicemen / ECO / SSCO, 5+ years' military service (General / EWS) | 5 years | 2 August 1989 | 6 |
| Ex-servicemen / ECO / SSCO, 5+ years (OBC) | 8 years | 2 August 1986 | 9 |
| Ex-servicemen / ECO / SSCO, 5+ years (SC / ST) | 10 years | 2 August 1984 | No limit |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations (General / EWS) | 3 years | 2 August 1991 | 6 |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations (OBC) | 6 years | 2 August 1988 | 9 |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations (SC / ST) | 8 years | 2 August 1986 | No limit |
Everyone must be born on or before 1 August 2005 (21 years). "No limit" means unlimited attempts within the age limit.
Conditions to note
- Ex-servicemen relaxation needs at least five years' military service on 1 August 2026 and release on completion of assignment, on disability attributable to service, or on invalidment (or ECOs/SSCOs whose assignment is extended with the Ministry of Defence certificate).
- PwBD candidates are appointed only if they meet the physical and medical standards for the services allocated to PwBD candidates.
- Attempts are also subject to Rule 12 of the Civil Services Examination Rules, 2026.
- Apart from these relaxations, the notice says the age limits "can in no case be relaxed".
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for UPSC Civil Services?
Under the CSE 2026 notice you must have attained 21 years and not attained 32 years on 1 August 2026, i.e. be born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005. The upper limit is 35 for OBC and 37 for SC/ST.
How many attempts are allowed in UPSC CSE?
Six for General and EWS candidates, nine for OBC, and no limit for SC/ST (within the age limit). PwBD candidates get nine attempts if General, EWS or OBC, and no limit if SC/ST.
Does appearing in prelims count as an attempt?
Yes. An attempt at the Preliminary Examination counts as an attempt, and appearing in even one prelims paper counts. Applying without appearing does not.
Can OBC and ex-servicemen relaxations be combined?
Yes. The notice says SC, ST or OBC candidates who are also ex-servicemen or PwBD get cumulative relaxation under both categories. For example, an OBC PwBD candidate gets 13 years.
Which date of birth does UPSC accept?
Only the date of birth in your Matriculation / Secondary certificate or an accepted equivalent. Horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts and service records are not accepted, and no later change is allowed.
What about CSE 2027?
UPSC has not yet published the CSE 2027 notice. This page follows the CSE 2026 notice and will be updated when the new notice comes out. Do not assume the 2027 rules will be identical.
Sources
- UPSC Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSP dated 04-02-2026: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026, para 3(II) and 3(IV), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)