Criteria for IAS Exam of Age

What are the basic age criteria for applying for IAS or Indian Administrative Service exam as I am 35 and want to sit for the exam but confused regarding age criteria? Also tell me about other eligibility criteria for applying for IAS or Indian Administrative Service?

Can you tell me in detail about the age criteria and other eligibility required to apply for IAS (Indian Administrative Service) examination conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)?

[pawan]

IAS (Indian Administrative Service) is one of the prestigious services among the 24 services like IPS; IFS etc. for the UPSC conduct Civil Services Examination (CSE) for selecting the candidates.

An officer selected into the Indian Administrative Service gets exposure in very diverse roles like the collector, commissioner, head of public sector units, chief secretary, cabinet secretary etc.

Minimum Educational Qualifications

Any degree (graduation) from:

Any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India
Or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament.
Or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956
Or possess an equivalent qualification.

Final year students can also apply.

Minimum Age
The minimum age to appear for IAS Exam is 21 years. This means that the candidate must have at least 21 years of age on 1st August of that given year when the exam is held.

Upper Age Limit
Upper age limit is also calculated on the date Aug 1. Upper age limit is fixed different for different a category, which is as:

Upper age limit for General category: 32 years.
Upper age limit for OBC: 35 years.
Upper age limit for SC/ST: 37 Years.
Upper age limit for Defence Services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof: 35 years.
Upper age limit for Ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service: 37 years.
Upper age limit for blind, deaf-mute and orthopedically handicapped persons (general category): 42 years.
Apart from the mentioned limits, OBC/ SC/ ST candidates will get the benefit of cumulative age relaxation.

Attempts

The number of attempts for IAS exam: General Category: 6 attempts till 32 years of age.
The number of attempts for IAS exam: OBC: 9 attempts till 35 years of age.
The number of attempts for IAS exam: SC/ST: unlimited attempts till 37 years of age.
NB: Physically Handicapped /disabled candidates belonging to General category will get the benefit of 9 attempts till the age prescribed by UPSC 42 years.