BharatNotes Age limits vary by state and category; most start at 21 and cap between 37-40 for general category, with relaxations of 3-5 years for OBC and 5-10 years for SC/ST.
Age limits for the four largest state PCS exams, based on their latest notifications as of May 2026:
Comprehensive Age Limit Comparison Table
| Exam | General (Male) | General (Female) | OBC (Male) | OBC (Female) | SC/ST | Age Reference Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPPSC PCS 2025 | 21–40 | 21–40 | 21–43 | 21–43 | 21–45 | 1 July 2025 |
| BPSC 72nd CCE | 21–37 | 21–40 | 21–40 | 21–40 | 21–42 | 1 August 2026 |
| MPPSC SSE 2026 | 21–40 | 21–45 | 21–45 | 21–45 | 21–45 | 1 January 2026 |
| RPSC RAS 2025 | 21–40 | 21–45 | 21–45 | 21–45 | 21–45 | 1 January 2025 |
| MPSC Rajyaseva | 19–38 | 19–38 | 19–43 | 19–43 | 19–43 | As per notification |
| TNPSC Group 1 | 21–42 | 21–42 | 21–45 | 21–45 | 21–57 | 1 July of year |
Categories above apply to candidates with domicile/residence in the respective state. Relaxations outside home state vary; verify with official notification.
Key State-by-State Notes
UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh):
- OBC/SC/ST relaxation applies only to UP domicile candidates
- Ex-servicemen get additional 5-year relaxation over and above category relaxation
- No fixed attempt limit — candidates can appear until the upper age limit is crossed
BPSC (Bihar):
- General male has one of the strictest upper limits at 37 — the lowest among major PCS exams
- General female and OBC candidates get up to 40 years
- SC/ST candidates get up to 42 years
- Bihar domicile is mandatory for SC/ST/OBC relaxation
- No attempt limit — appear as many times as age allows
MPPSC (Madhya Pradesh):
- MP domicile required for relaxation benefits
- Female candidates of all categories (including General) get 5 extra years (up to 45)
- No attempt limit
RPSC RAS (Rajasthan):
- Rajasthan OBC/SC/ST female candidates can get up to 10-year relaxation (up to 50 years)
- Widowed and divorced women candidates: no upper age limit (subject to Rajasthan domicile)
- Special relaxation for TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) area SC/ST candidates
- No attempt limit
MPSC (Maharashtra):
- Age reckoned differently from most states — starts at 19, not 21
- Marathi language competency is mandatory regardless of domicile
- Open, Reserved (OBC), and Backward categories each have distinct sub-limits
TNPSC (Tamil Nadu):
- General category upper limit of 42 is among the most generous for open category
- SC/ST gets up to 57 years — extremely generous, reflecting Tamil Nadu's strong affirmative action framework
- Tamil language competency is mandatory
Attempt Limit Comparison: UPSC vs State PCS
| Exam | General | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE | 6 attempts (age 32 max) | 9 attempts (age 35 max) | Unlimited within age (age 37 max) |
| UPPSC PCS | No attempt limit | No attempt limit | No attempt limit |
| BPSC CCE | No attempt limit | No attempt limit | No attempt limit |
| MPPSC SSE | No attempt limit | No attempt limit | No attempt limit |
| RPSC RAS | No attempt limit | No attempt limit | No attempt limit |
This is a crucial strategic advantage of state PCS exams: a General category candidate who has exhausted their 6 UPSC CSE attempts at age 32 still has 8 more years to attempt UPPSC PCS, RPSC RAS, and MPPSC without any attempt-count restrictions.
Mentor Tip
When planning your overall civil services calendar, map your UPSC CSE remaining attempts against your age. If you are 28–29 (General) with 2–3 UPSC attempts remaining, now is the time to intensify state PCS preparation — not after UPSC attempts are exhausted. The goal is to enter government service, gain stability, and continue UPSC preparation from within service if desired.
