UPSC IES Age Limit 2026 — Check Your Eligibility by Category
The UPSC Engineering Services (IES/ESE) (2026) sets the age limit at 21–30 years for General category candidates, calculated as on 1 January 2026. Reserved categories receive relaxation: OBC candidates get 33 years, SC/ST candidates 35 years, and PwD candidates 40 years upper limit.
Category-Wise Age Limits
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 21 years | 30 years | - |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 21 years | 33 years | +3 yrs |
| SC / ST | 21 years | 35 years | +5 yrs |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 21 years | 40 years | +10 yrs |
Eligible Date of Birth (DOB) Range for UPSC IES 2026
To qualify for the 2026 cycle, your birth date must fall within the dates specified below for your category (calculated as of the age count date: 1 January 2026).
General / EWS (Unreserved) 21-30 Years
📅 Candidate must be born between:
2 January 1996 to 1 January 2005
(Both dates inclusive)
OBC Category (3 Year Relaxation) 21-33 Years
📅 Candidate must be born between:
2 January 1993 to 1 January 2005
(Both dates inclusive)
SC / ST Category (5 Year Relaxation) 21-35 Years
📅 Candidate must be born between:
2 January 1991 to 1 January 2005
(Both dates inclusive)
PwD Category (10 Year Relaxation) 21-40 Years
📅 Candidate must be born between:
2 January 1986 to 1 January 2005
(Both dates inclusive)
💡 Enter your DOB to check if YOU are eligible for UPSC IES 2026
Check Your Eligibility →Detailed Age Limit Information
📋 Age Criteria
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age (General): 30 years
- Age Calculation Date: 1 January 2026
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission
🎯 Attempts Limit
- General: No limit
- OBC: No limit
- SC/ST: No limit
Age Relaxation Rules
Standard Relaxations
- OBC (NCL): 3 years relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 years relaxation
- PwD: 10 years relaxation
Important Notes
- • Relaxations are applied on the upper age limit only
- • Minimum age remains same for all categories
- • Cumulative relaxations apply for eligible candidates
- • Always verify with official notification
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the age limit for UPSC IES 2026?
A: The UPSC IES (Engineering Services Examination) 2026 age limit is 21-30 years for General category candidates, calculated as on 1st January 2026.
Q: What is the UPSC IES age limit for OBC candidates?
A: OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation with a maximum age limit of 33 years for UPSC IES 2026.
Q: What is the UPSC IES age limit for SC/ST candidates?
A: SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation with a maximum age limit of 35 years for UPSC IES 2026.
Q: What is the UPSC IES attempt limit?
A: There is no attempt limit for UPSC IES/ESE examination. Candidates can appear as many times as they want, provided they meet the age eligibility criteria.
Q: How many attempts for IES general category?
A: There is no limit on attempts for General category or any other category in UPSC IES/ESE. You can take the exam as many times as you wish as long as you are within the age limit of 30 years (General) or relaxed limits for other categories.
Q: What is the UPSC ESE attempt limit?
A: There is no limit on attempts for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES). Candidates can appear unlimited times until they reach the upper age limit.
Q: On which date is age calculated for UPSC IES?
A: The UPSC IES 2026 age count date is 1st January 2026 (01-01-2026). Your age as on this date determines your eligibility.
Q: What is the age relaxation for PwD in UPSC IES?
A: PwD candidates get 10 years relaxation with a maximum age limit of 40 years for UPSC IES 2026.
Q: What is the minimum age for UPSC IES?
A: The minimum age for UPSC IES/ESE is 21 years as on 1st January 2026.
Q: What is the Indian Engineering Services age limit for SC?
A: SC category candidates get 5 years relaxation in the Indian Engineering Services (IES/ESE), making their upper age limit 35 years.
Browse all UPSC IES FAQs in the FAQ hub · Eligibility calculator
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Try the Age Calculator →Age limits are based on the 2026 official notification released by Union Public Service Commission. Last verified: 2026-02-04. Always check the official notification at Union Public Service Commission website