Age Restrictions for Appearing in the Exam

Introduction
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts various exams for recruitment to civil services, including the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Aspiring candidates must meet certain age requirements to be eligible to appear in these exams.

Age Criteria
The age criteria for appearing in the UPSC exams vary depending on the specific exam and the category of the candidate. The general age restrictions are as follows:

1. Minimum Age: The candidate must be at least 21 years old on the date of the examination. This means the candidate should have been born not earlier than a specified date.

2. Maximum Age: The upper age limit varies based on the category of the candidate and the exam. The maximum age limit is as follows:
- General Category: The maximum age limit is usually 32 years.
- OBC (Other Backward Classes): The maximum age limit is generally 35 years.
- SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): The maximum age limit is usually 37 years.
- Physically Disabled Candidates: The maximum age limit is extended by a certain number of years, which varies depending on the disability.

Relaxation of Age Limits
The UPSC provides certain relaxations in the upper age limit for specific categories or conditions. These relaxations are as follows:

1. Ex-Servicemen: The maximum age limit is further relaxed by the length of military service rendered plus an additional five years.

2. Central Government Employees: The maximum age limit can be relaxed up to a certain number of years based on the length of service, subject to a maximum of five years.

3. Widows, Divorced Women, and Women Judicially Separated: The maximum age limit can be relaxed up to a certain number of years.

4. Educationists: The maximum age limit can be relaxed up to a certain number of years for certain educational institutions.

Conclusion
The UPSC exams have specific age restrictions that applicants must meet to be eligible. These age criteria ensure that candidates have sufficient maturity and experience to take up the responsibilities of the civil services. It is important for candidates to carefully check the specific age limits and relaxations applicable to their category before applying for the exams.