Can you tell me about the minimum percentage of marks required in Graduation to apply for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Examination conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)?

[ReenaK]

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was formerly known as Imperial Civil Service (ICS) is the Civil Services Examination and one of the toughest competitive exams in India. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of officers for the All India Administrative Civil Service.


Eligibility Requirements

One must be a citizen of India


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

One belonging to categories (B), (C), (D) and (E) should furnish a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. Such candidates may take the exam before getting the said certificate of eligibility, but he/she would get the offer of appointment only after the certificate has been issued by the Government of India.

One belonging to categories (B), (C) and (D) is not eligible for appointment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).


One must have a graduation degree from any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.


Final year students can also apply.


The age limit to appear for IAS Exam is 21 years - 32 years.

Upper age limit is fixed different for different categories, which is:

Category Upper Age Limit Number of Attempts

General 32 6

OBC 35 9

SC/ST 37 Unlimited

General Physically Disabled 35 9

OBC Physically Disabled 38 9

SC/ST Physically Disabled 40 Unlimited

Disabled servicemen (General) 35

Disabled servicemen (OBC) 38

Disabled servicemen (SC/ST) 40