Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Subject Exam

To appear in the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Subject Exam, candidates need to fulfill certain eligibility criteria set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The eligibility criteria include educational qualifications, age limit, and nationality requirements. Let's discuss each of these criteria in detail.

1. Educational Qualifications:
- A candidate must have a degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry from a recognized university or institute.
- Candidates who have appeared or are appearing in the final year of the qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provided they submit the proof of passing the exam along with the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the UPSC Main Examination.

2. Age Limit:
- The candidate must be at least 21 years old and not older than 32 years as of August 1st of the year of examination.
- Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to certain categories as per the government norms:
- OBC (Other Backward Classes): 3 years relaxation
- SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): 5 years relaxation
- Ex-servicemen: 5 years relaxation
- EWS (Economically Weaker Sections): 3 years relaxation

3. Nationality:
- A candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

4. Number of Attempts:
- General category candidates can attempt the UPSC examination a maximum of 6 times.
- OBC candidates have a limit of 9 attempts.
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts for SC, ST, and PwD (Person with Disabilities) candidates.

To sum up, to be eligible for the UPSC Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Optional Subject Exam, candidates must have a degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, meet the age criteria, and fulfill the nationality requirements. It is important for candidates to carefully read and understand the eligibility criteria before applying for the examination.