UPSC Civil Services Examination – Number of Attempts
The number of attempts permitted in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is regulated by the Union Public Service Commission and varies according to the candidate’s category. Below is a clear, reader-friendly summary of the attempt eligibility framework.
Category-wise Attempt Limit for UPSC CSE
| Category | Number of Attempts Permitted | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| General Category | Maximum of 6 attempts | Candidates in the General Category can appear up to six times, subject to age limits. |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | Maximum of 9 attempts | Applicable to OBC candidates who are eligible to avail reservation benefits. |
| SC (Scheduled Castes) & ST (Scheduled Tribes) | No fixed limit on attempts | SC/ST candidates can take the examination as many times as they wish, until they reach the upper age limit. |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | Same attempt limit as the community category to which they belong. General PwBD: up to 9 attempts. |
Attempt limits for PwBD candidates follow their respective category (General/OBC/SC/ST), with the specific provision that a PwBD candidate in General Category is eligible for up to 9 attempts. |
Important Notes
- The attempt limit is always subject to the maximum age limit prescribed for each category.
- An appearance in any paper of the Preliminary Examination counts as one attempt.
- Candidates should plan their attempts strategically to make the best use of their eligibility window.