Upper age-limit for civil services exam fixed at 32: Government
The government has informed the Rajya Sabha that it has decided on an upper age limit of 32 years as of August 1, 2018, for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the UPSC. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said the cap is relaxable for candidates from reserved categories, and dismissed allegations of unfair treatment to some candidates in this respect.
Singh's written reply in the Rajya Sabha
"As per guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoP&T) on crucial date for determining age limits for competitive examination conducted in parts by the UPSC/SSC vide OM No. AB.14017/70/87-Estt.(RR) dated 14th July, 1988, the cut-off date for Civil Services Examination is decided," Singh said.
The UPSC examination is one of India's toughest
The CSE is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annually. Successful candidates are chosen for roles in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. About 5L candidates appear every year for about a thousand posts. This year, the number of vacancies was estimated to be 980.
Two written tests and an interview
Graduates or final year degree students are eligible to apply for the UPSC exams. Candidates have to clear three rounds - the Prelims, which is an objective written test; the Main, a subjective written test; and an interview. There is negative marking for wrong answers in the objective paper. Only those who clear one stage can move on to the next.
Timeline for the 2018 exam
This year, the Prelim was held on June 3, and results were declared on July 15. Those who qualified can appear the Main that will commence on September 28. The deadline for filling up the Detailed Application Form (DAF) ends 6pm, August 6.
