The UPSC attempt limit 2026 is six tries for General candidates and nine for OBC candidates. Age limits are 32 for General and 35 for OBC. Only 1,009 of 5,83,213 Prelims candidates got through in CSE 2024.
These counts come from the Union Public Service Commission’s CSE 2024 final result, declared on April 22, 2025. Officers for the IAS, the IPS, the IFS and central Group A services come through UPSC.
Posts have fallen. There were 1,129 vacancies in CSE 2024, and the CSE 2026 notification lists 933.
That is 196 fewer posts in two cycles. The Federal put 2026 applications at 8.19 Lakh.
What is the UPSC attempt limit 2026 for each category?
A General candidate gets six attempts and must finish by age 32. OBC candidates get nine attempts, with the cap at 35.
SC and ST candidates may attempt until they turn 37. The window opens at 21.
For a General candidate, 21 to 32 is 11 years. Nobody tells you when the last attempt is gone.
How many candidates clear each stage of the Civil Services Examination?
5,68,586 candidates sat the CSE 2024 Prelims and did not clear it. Of 5,83,213 who appeared, 14,627 went through.
2,845 reached the interview. The recommended list held 1,009 names. That rate is 0.17%.
So 99.83% of those who sat the paper went home.
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| Stage | CSE 2024 candidates |
|---|---|
| Applied | 9,92,599 |
| Appeared in Prelims | 5,83,213 |
| Cleared Prelims | 14,627 |
| Reached interview | 2,845 |
| Recommended | 1,009 |
Shakti Dubey topped CSE 2024. Of the 1,009 names, 725 were men and 284 were women.
Why did UPSC posts fall from 1,129 to 933?
UPSC has published no reason for the fall. CampusFeed found no UPSC statement explaining it.
The CSE 2026 notification says 933 may change after inputs from Cadre Controlling Authorities. 33 posts are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.
In CSE 2024 the count was 1,129 vacancies, including 50 for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.
What does one UPSC attempt cycle cost a family?
Vineetha spent about Rs 5 Lakh on coaching and a Delhi hostel from May 2019. Her father is a head constable.
Vrinda Dixit spent nearly Rs 5 Lakh across four years. She now works at the Quality Council of India.
Sumit Gomes paid Rs 1.6 Lakh in 2017 for a batch of about 500 students. The Federal reported these figures.
The exam fee is small. Candidates pay Rs 100 to UPSC, and SC, ST, women and candidates with disabilities pay nothing.
Where do UPSC candidates go after the last attempt?
Vineetha took a job at Tech Mahindra. Keerthy S is 29 and studying an MCA in artificial intelligence.
Keerthy S failed the Prelims in 2021 and 2022, cleared it in 2023, then missed Mains by 10 marks.
Shruti Shrivastava cleared Mains and was cut at the interview. She now runs the Sashaktikaran Foundation.
That foundation began with 10 women and 300 to 400 students. It now employs 31 rural women and serves about 900 children.
30 saal ki age par 2 attempts bache hain, to kya karein?
Count the age cap first, not the attempts. A General candidate aged 30 has two years to the cap of 32. That allows two more Prelims at most.
The CSE 2026 Prelims ran on May 24 at 83 centres. Mains followed on August 21 at 27 centres.
Where candidates can get mental health support
Tele MANAS is the free government helpline on 14416. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched it on October 10, 2022.
It runs 53 cells across 36 States and Union Territories, in 20 languages. By April 2025 it had taken more than 20,05,000 calls.
Shruti Shrivastava put it plainly. “Don’t isolate yourself. UPSC does not ask you to stop living your life.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attempts do I get for the Civil Services Examination in 2026?
General candidates get six attempts at the Civil Services Examination. OBC candidates get nine. SC and ST candidates may attempt until they reach the age limit of 37 years. The General age cap is 32 years, and the minimum age is 21.
What is the UPSC age limit for General candidates?
The UPSC age limit for General and EWS candidates is 32 years. Minimum age is 21 years. OBC candidates may apply until 35 years. SC and ST candidates may apply until 37 years.
How many people cleared CSE 2024?
The CSE 2024 final result recommended 1,009 candidates. 5,83,213 had appeared in the Prelims, so the success rate was 0.17%. Results were declared on April 22, 2025. Shakti Dubey topped the list.
How many vacancies are there in CSE 2026?
The CSE 2026 notification lists 933 vacancies. 33 of those are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. Vacancies in CSE 2024 totalled 1,129. That 933 figure may change after inputs from Cadre Controlling Authorities. Applications closed on February 24, 2026.
Where can a candidate get free mental health help?
Tele MANAS is the free government helpline on 14416. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare runs it in 20 languages. Operations cover 53 cells across 36 States and Union Territories. Calls began on October 10, 2022.
Last verified: October 23, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with the Union Public Service Commission before you act.
