Every year, millions of young people dream of becoming IAS, IPS, or other civil service officers through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. However, many aspirants feel confused about where to start, which books to read, and how to formulate a study plan. If you are preparing for the UPSC exam from scratch, this guide will assist you in understanding the examination pattern and selecting the right study materials, thereby enabling you to clear India’s toughest competitive exam.
What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a prestigious examination in India, for which lakhs of young aspirants apply every year. It consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. Upon qualifying all three stages, candidates are appointed as IAS, IPS, IFS, or IRS officers, based on their rank and cadre preferences.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC 2026
To apply for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026, candidates must fulfil certain eligibility conditions related to nationality, age, educational qualification, and the number of attempts.
Nationality
For the IAS and IPS services, a candidate must be a citizen of India. For some other services, candidates from certain neighbouring countries may also be eligible as per UPSC rules.
Educational Qualification
Candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university, as well as those currently in their final year of study, are eligible to appear for the Preliminary Examination; however, the Mains Examination can only be taken after the degree has been awarded.
Age Limit
Generally, students are between the ages of 21 and 32; however, age relaxations are available for candidates belonging to reserved categories, in accordance with government regulations.
Number of Attempts
General category candidates are allowed 6 attempts, OBC candidates get 9 attempts, while SC/ST candidates may attempt the examination until they reach the upper age limit.