What counts as an attempt in UPSC Civil Services Exam?

An attempt is counted only if you actually sit for at least one paper of the Preliminary Examination. Applying for the exam but not attending does not count.

How are attempts counted for SBI PO?

For SBI PO, attempts are counted only if you appear in the Main Examination. Appearing in the Preliminary exam does not count as an attempt.

Do SSC exams (CGL, CHSL, MTS) have attempt limits?

No, Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams do not have attempt limits. You can appear as many times as you want as long as you are within the age eligibility limits.

Are there attempt limits for BPSC or MPPSC?

No, State PSC exams like BPSC (Bihar) and MPPSC (Madhya Pradesh) have no limits on attempts. You can appear unlimited times up to the upper age limit.

How many attempts are allowed for JAIIB and CAIIB?

IIBF allows 5 attempts within 3 years from first registration, whichever is earlier, for both JAIIB and CAIIB. Exams run twice a year (May/June and Nov/Dec). Applying counts as an attempt even if you do not appear; skipped windows do not. Enter first registration year and cycle on the JAIIB or CAIIB calculator to estimate attempts left and the last eligible session. CAIIB also requires JAIIB (or Part 1 of the Associate Examination). Verify the latest IIBF Rules & Syllabus PDFs on iibf.org.in.

Govt Exam Attempt Limits & Calculator 2026

Check attempts remaining for UPSC, SBI PO, RBI, CDS, NDA, BPSC, RAS, JAIIB, CAIIB and more. Select your exam and category below.

CDS Attempt Calculator NDA Attempt Calculator BPSC Attempt Calculator RAS / RPSC Attempt Calculator JAIIB Attempt Calculator CAIIB Attempt Calculator

Attempts Eligibility Checker 🎯

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Attempt Limits Comparison Table 2026

Overview of attempt limits for major central and state government recruitment examinations.

Exam Name	General / EWS	OBC (NCL)	SC / ST	Attempt Counting Rule
UPSC CSE UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS)	6	9	Unlimited	Counts if you appear in any Prelims paper.
UPSC IES UPSC Engineering Services (IES/ESE)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
UPSC CDS UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
UPSC NDA UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
UPSC CAPF UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) AC	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SSC CGL SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SSC CHSL SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SSC MTS SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SSC GD SSC General Duty (GD) Constable	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SSC CPO SSC Central Police Organisation (CPO) SI	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SSC Steno SSC Stenographer Grade C & D	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SSC JE SSC Junior Engineer (JE)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
IBPS PO IBPS Probationary Officer (PO/MT)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
IBPS Clerk IBPS Clerk	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
SBI PO SBI Probationary Officer (PO)	4	7	Unlimited	Counts only if you write the Main exam.
SBI Clerk SBI Clerk (Junior Associate)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RBI Grade B RBI Grade B Officer	6	9	Unlimited	Counts only if you write Phase-I.
RBI Assistant RBI Assistant	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RRB NTPC RRB Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RRB Group D RRB Group D	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RRB JE RRB Junior Engineer (JE)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RRB ALP RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
UPPSC PCS UPPSC Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RPSC RAS RPSC Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
MPPSC SSE MPPSC State Service Examination	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
BPSC CCE BPSC Combined Competitive Examination	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
TNPSC CCSE TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
MPSC Rajyaseva MPSC State Service Examination (Rajyaseva)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
CGPSC SSE CGPSC State Service Examination	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
OPSC OCS OPSC Odisha Civil Services (OCS)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RRB Technician RRB Technician Grade-III (CEN 02/2026)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
RRB Technician Gr-I RRB Technician Grade-I Signal (CEN 02/2026)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
DSSSB DSSSB Combined Recruitment (Advt. 03/2026)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
UPSSSC Auditor UPSSSC Auditor & Assistant Accountant (Exam 14/2026)	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit.
JAIIB Junior Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers	5	5	5	5 attempts or 3 years from first registration, whichever is earlier. Applying counts even if you do not appear.
CAIIB Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers	5	5	5	5 attempts or 3 years from first registration, whichever is earlier. Applying counts even if you do not appear.