- #1: UPSC age/attempt relaxation: DoPT elaborates further:
- Unofficial notes about age/attempt limit
- Q. what about IFoS exam?
- Q. What about JK residents and Ex-Servicemen?
- Q. Do Central service employees get additional age/attempt relaxation?
- Q. What counts as attempt?
- Q. When is the age counted? 1st August or 1st January?
- Q: is this age/attempt limit also valid for 2015, 2016, 2017? or is it only for 2015?
- Q. Creamy LAYER OBC = General = 6 attempts & 32 years
- Q: Changing category in between exams = permitted
- Q. Jat reservation in UPSC exam
- Non-cream layer jat outside those 9 states= General
- #2: Indian Engineering Service
- #3: NDA/NA Exam-I 2013 cutoffs
#1: UPSC age/attempt relaxation: DoPT elaborates further:
Feb 2014: Government approved two extra attempt for all categories in IAS/IPS exam (click me). But that notification was creating some confusion.
March 2014: now Department of Personnel and training (DoPT) issued a separate circular to elaborate the matter further. click me for the circular
Moral of that story circular is following:
General category
| before | AFTER | |
| attempt limit | 4 | 4+2 = 6 years |
| age limit | 30 years | 30+2=32 years |
OBC category
| before | AFTER | |
| attempt limit | 7 | 7+2=9 |
| age limit | 33 | 33+2=35 years |
SC/ST category
| before | AFTER | |
| attempt limit | unlimited | unlimited |
| age limit | 35 | 35+2=37 years |
PH category
| PH candidate from | before | AFTER | |
| PH from General/OBC category | attempt limit | 7 | 7+2=9 |
| age limit | 40 |
|
|
| PH from SC/ST category | attempt limit | unlimited | unlimited |
| age limit | 40 | SC/ST PH: 35+12=47 years |
Unofficial notes about age/attempt limit
These are not given in the official circular, but frequently asked by readers. So I’m replying these based on the previous trend/system/rules of UPSC.
Q. what about IFoS exam?
Q. does this relaxed age/attempt limit also applicable in Indian forest services (IFoS) exam?
Ans. No. This relaxation only applies to Civil service exam (IAS/IPS).
Forest service (IFoS) is a separate exam- its age/attempt limit is counted separately. Only the preliminary exam of IAS and IFoS are common. Therefore, we should continue assuming that IFoS age/attempt=old system remains. (unless UPSC notification changes it on 17th May 2014.)
Q. What about JK residents and Ex-Servicemen?
Ans. Since the circular is silent about them. We can assume the old system continues for them. However, every JK and Ex-serviceman can also be classified under Gen/OBC/SC-ST/PH. and therefore benefits / gets hurts accordingly (depends on how UPSC interprets it!). For example:
| Before | after | |
| J&K resident (SC/ST) | 30+10=40 |
|
I believe in view point #1. Let’s wait for the notification on 17th May.
Q. Do Central service employees get additional age/attempt relaxation?
Ans.
- No, for the IAS/IPS (Civil service exam).
- Yes, for CAPF (Assistant commandant exam)
Q. What counts as attempt?
- Appearing in the preliminary exam, count as attempt.
- Meaning, in past, if you had filled up the UPSC application form, but you remained ABSENT in the preliminary exam=> then it doesn’t count as attempt.
- If you wrote the preliminary exam, it counts as attempt. – Irrespective of whether you passed or failed.
Q. When is the age counted? 1st August or 1st January?
- Traditionally, UPSC civil service exam counted the age on 1st august of the given year.
- In Indian Engineering service exam, they count age on 1st January. But UPSC still silent on whether they’ll follow the same model for IAS/IPS exam or not? RTIs don’t reveal anything.
- So until any change is officially notified (on 17th May 2014), we should assume that for IAS/IPS (Civil service exam) exam, the Age limit is counted on 1st August.
- Meaning, as a general category candidate if you want to appear in 2014’s exam, YOU must not have crossed the 32 years on 1st August 2014.
Q: is this age/attempt limit also valid for 2015, 2016, 2017? or is it only for 2015?
Ans. I don’t know. And RTI is unlikely to reveal anything. Most likely the DoPT and UPSC will reply that “CPIO cannot predict the future course of action.”
Anyways, official notification of UPSC, will come on 17th May 2015. Hopefully that should throw some light. [This scenario is similar to optional subjects- no one knows when it’ll be removed from the mains exam, we can only come up with conspiracy theories.]
Q. Creamy LAYER OBC = General = 6 attempts & 32 years
- From above table, you can see OBC gets 9 attempts and 35 years.
- But that applies only to non-creamy layer OBC.
- It doesn’t apply to creamy layer OBC.
- for age/attempt limit: the creamy layer OBC is treated as General category candidate (meaning 6 attempt, 32 years).
In other words,
| OBC type | age limit | attempt limit |
| non-creamy layer | 35 | 9 |
| creamy layer | 32 | 6 |
How/why? Well observe the following screenshot of 2013’s application form. The UPSC form is designed in such way that creamy layer has to tick “General” category.
click me to enlarge
I repeat again, to claim OBC reservation benefit in UPSC, you need TWO certificates:
- OBC caste certificate
- Non-creamy layer certificate.
- Non creamy layer status depends on your parents’ income and property.
- It doesn’t depend on your income/property
- It doesn’t depend on your husband/wife’s income/property.
- If your mom/dad is government employee then INCOME criteria doesn’t apply. (e.g. if dad is class3 employee, then it doesn’t matter whether he gets 6 lakhs or 7 lakhs. You’re still non-cream layer. For more, read this PDF file click me)
Q: Changing category in between exams = permitted
Q. I had applied as general category in xyz year’s exam. But for 2014, I want to apply as OBC/SC/ST candidate. Is this permissible?
Ans. Yes. As long as you’ve the necessary documents. example, candidate gives 2012’s exam as gen and 2013’s as OBC.
Q. Jat reservation in UPSC exam
Q. This week (March 2014), cabinet cleared the file. So it’ll take some weeks before gazette notification is released. Only after that, local tehsildar/SDM/collector office will start issuing certificates. Can I claim reservation in in UPSC?
Ans. You’ve to keep two things in mind:
#1: closing date in normal circumstances:
- In UPSC exams, The closing date fixed for the receipt of the application is be treated as the date for determining the OBC status (including that of creamy layer) of the candidate.
- For 2014: UPSC prelim application starts from 17 May 2014 and ends at 16 June 2014.
- So, 16/06/2014 is the closing date.
#2: closing date in extra-ordinary circumstances:
(quoting UPSC notification from 2013): There may be a few cases where there was a little gap (say 2-3 months) between the issuance of a Government Notification enlisting a particular community in the list of any of the reserved communities and the date of submission of the application by the candidate. In such cases the request of change of community from general to reserved may be considered by the Commission on merit. In case of a candidate unfortunately becoming physically disabled during the course of the examination, the candidate should produce valid documents to enable the Commission to take a decision in the matter on merit.
–end of copy paste–
Non-cream layer jat outside those 9 states= General
OBC list is always “State-wise”. Cabinet has cleared OBC status only for the jats of nine states viz. Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
Meaning only the (non-creamy layer) Jats of those states will get OBC age/attempt benefit.
Consider this hypothetical situation:
A Jat candidate, who originally belongs to Madhya Pradesh but currently living in Delhi for last few months, to study in a coaching class. = No, he doesn’t get OBC reservation UNLESS he can prove that he is a domicile of Delhi. Meaning, he needs to show birth certificate, proof-of-resident/ration card/lightbill/phone bill etc.
If I recall correctly, Delhi sarkaar wants domicile proof that you/your parents are living in Delhi since 1993, only then you can get OBC certificate.
Moral of the story: you must have two certificates.
- OBC certificate (depends on state.)
- non-creamy layer certificate (depends on your parents’ income/property. BUT for government servent parents- it doesn’t depend on income but rank.)
Moving to the next topics:
#2 and #3 are based on RTI reply filed by Mr.Prashant Kumar.
#2: Indian Engineering Service
Q1. Can an engineer from Computer Science/Information technology eligible to sit in the exam? if yes, then under which subject (out of the four available) they may apply?
Q2. if a computer science candidate gets selected in another subject (Electrical, etc) is there any preference given to the Electrical candidate or all must be considered equal?
UPSC replies for Q1 and Q2:
The rules of ESE-2014 are yet to be finalized. However as per the rules of 2013, degree in engineering in any steam is essential educational qualification for appearing in the engineering service examination. A candidate may apply for the admission to the examination in respect of any one of the four categories of the services/posts viz. civil engineering or mechanical engineering or electronic engineering or electronics and telecommunication engineering.
Q3. Is there any provision or discussion over inclusion of Computer Science/ IT as one of the subjects in Engineering Service Exam in the coming years?
UPSC replies:
Query is hypothetical in nature and hence does not qualify as information as defined under section 2/F of the RTI act, 2005
Q4. What is the total time from Pre-Exam to Joining for a candidate in Engineering Service?
UPSC replies:
there is no such specific timeframe between the conduct of exam and joining of the candidate. It varies from year to year
Q5. How many Computer Science/IT students have applied and got selected in Engineering Service Exam 2011 and 2012?
UPSC replies:
The information regarding the qualification of candidates is neither compiled nor maintained in the manner asked for in the application. As such the information cannot be provided.
#3: NDA/NA Exam-I 2013 cutoffs
Q1. Please provide the cutoff marks for all categories in the NDA 2013 exam?
| NDA stage | marks secured by last candidate |
| written stage | 333/900 |
| final stage | 698/1800 |
Q2. Is the NDA cutoff paper-wise or overall?
UPSC replies: There is no separate paper wise cutoff in this exam.
Ref: scanned copy of UPSC RTI reply to Mr.Prashant Kumar.
People whose last attempt was in 2011 ( when CSAT was introduced ) and they crossed 30 after that , wont get any advantage of this age change . It seems kind of unfair as CSAT introduction is the primary reason for this age change . They too should get once chance again.
Well!! Who told you this. Is there any official document which says what you are saying or its just the rumor which generally originate from coaching class gossips in Delhi
Thanks for Acknowledging my RTIs
Dear Sir,
What still remains doubtful is whether this age relaxation be available for year 2015, 2016, etc.?
I’m 28 years old. And I wish to prepare and appear for 2015 and 2016 attempts.
My question to you is “whether a 28 year old, general category candidate, born before August 1st, be able to write the 2016, 2017 attempts?”
Thank you.
I am assuming you have become 28 this year before August 1st. Then you can definitely write 2015 – 29, 2016 – 30, 2017 – 31 but not 2018 because you would have crossed 32 years before August 1st. But if this year you become 29 before August 1st then you can only write 2015 and 2016.
Thank you Manukoleth. That was helpful.
the best news for all hardworking & sincere students….but be aware non serious candidate bcz if u dont work hard , u may waste another 2 important years of life, so better make the best possible use of this opportunity …all the best to all
is this additional attempt are permanent or temporary?why does dopt has not clarified?its make confusion in every body mind..
working as assistant in sbi(bihar).done B.E in cse(somehow i managed to pass engineering.hahaha).posted in rural area.want to prepare for upsc.but very less time.although i can manage but no group circle to study.any site where can have some friends to guide.one more question.i have given SSB(5TH DAY REJECTED)but my right hand fore finger is not proper due to accident at childhood.its bent.so for technical entry will they reject me in medical round??please reply.thank you.
Mrunal sir, It will be good for general candidates. Sir, I want to know that banking age limit for all candidates will be increase. General 30-32 yrs etc. Plz tell us
Is there will be any change for banking candidates age limit ? It will be happening or not.
Age= 32 years means one must be born AFTER 1st August 1982 in order to appear in the 2014 exam from general category.
Sir kya ex servicemen(difence personnel ) ke liye cse me koi quota hai
In Civil service, the Ex-serviceman only get age relaxation. no reservation in the seats.
Sir,Please mention clearly about age relaxation for ex serviceman in different categories ie gen obc sc st
Please consider a situation:
An OBC candidate has given 2 attempts earlier. At that time he belonged to Non-creamy layer. But suppose his income has now exceede the limit of 6 lakhs in the current year, implying that he now belongs to Creamy layer. So, for the next attempt, as he is now a creamy layer OBC candidate, will he get Total 9 attempts (OBC) or 6 attempts (General) ????
UPSC form is designed in such way that creamy layer=general.
But the question remains. Even if I am in creamy layer now (general), will they count my two attempts given as OBC candidate?
And if yes, will the total no of attempts be 6, including previous 2 ????
Mr Datta,
i’m answering by common sense. correct me if wrong. Only your current category matters. being General, you are entitled to 6 attempts. if you have utilized 2, then 4 is left with you.
Naveen
That’s what I also think.
Creamy layer is defined based on his parents income and not the candidates income. He can still use the relaxation benefit meant for OBC.
They consider the income of Family.
No. This is not so.. in all circumstances only parents income is considered. Dopt website clarifies it specifically in the notes section while defining the meaning of creamy layer..
hi mrunal,
i know u are busy with the articles related to the yearbook/economic survey of this year.
i want to bring ur kind attention towards the age
criteria of SSC CGL for all posts(except some special one), which is
18-27.
in a country like india no one will be completing their graduation by
18 years and starting 2-3 years such as 18-19-20 years of goes
waste(it mean officially it is 10 attempt for general category but
unofficially it is barely 5-6 attempt if he awake on time)
if UPSC can change the attempt criteria as a reform then why can’t SSC
can change the age criteria from 21-30.
As lot of decision have been taken after the campaigning of STUDENTS
(age reduction & then taken back in IBPS,UPSC attempt increased)
If the CAMPAIGN FOR SSC CGL age criteria are taken in a right manner
then it could be also good relief for the students who are preparing
for competitive exams and falling under general category.
I request you to share this in your portal (you have support of 50000+
candidates preparing for competition exam) & make aware to junta and
prepare the road map how they can start this campaign in peaceful
manner(letters, emails to ssc head office).
I know this is not possible to this year but it could be implemented
in next coming year, as RAHUL BABA is doing everything to get the
support for youth, it may be possible UPA government take it in a
priority topic.
Kindly consider the matter and let me know if there is any problem in
doing so, if any.
I am hopeful towards it that you will take SSC on ur foot as you have
taken UPSC by fling so many RTI’s,court cases etc.
thankyou
Are you doing essay writing practice , my friend?
sir if we attempt for prelims of IFoS will it be counted as an attempt for CSE(IAS).
plz clarify this doubt.
no if u had appeared specially for IFoS in 2013.
in hariya hpsc notification der r posts for hcs ex.br…what does this mean…can anybody tell me?
Those are your regular HCS posts for post of SDM, ETO etc. In short they for HCS. Closing date for application is 20th March but as it takes 48Hours after applying to deposit the challan, in effect the last date to apply for it is 18th March.
thanx rp….
Sir as per my knowledge the cremy layer criteria is also depend on a persons income if he employeed. Only when he is his/her parent dependent..parents income will be counted
Refer to dopt website. In all cases creamy layer definition is based on parents income only.
Gazette Notification regarding the inclusion of Jats in OBC, will be released now since the Model Code of Conduct has coe into effect or will it be done after the elections?
pls reply me … I would like know about PH-1,PH-2 and PH-3 in civils I’m a orthopaedic physically challenging person..so where do I under come in these type of PH-1,2 and 3
PH-1
Actually, it depends department to department…For UPSC, it goes like this
PH-1 — OH
PH-2 — VH
PH-3 — HH
mrunal sir, u hav not addressed my question :( my last attempt was in 2010 and now i am 28. will i be eligible ??? is this relaxation only for 2011, 2012, 2013 guys ???
@Raju, it doesn’t matter which year you gave attempt in.
assuming you’re general category who gave single attempt in 2010= you’re left with 6 minus 1 = five attempts. and age limit 32 years.
thank you mrunal sir. i meant my 4th attempt was in 2010. ur reply gave me enough confidence to start again . was confused with rumours till now..
@Raju ji…. you are eligible…get rid of all petty inhibitions and start preparing.. don’t waste too much of time and start preparing as you are just 28 and age limit even without any relaxation in picture is 30.. so pull your socks and prepare
What is the minimum age to appear in UPSC Now?
Sir as you’ve rightly mentioned no one can predict for how long the age relaxation is, that is, whether it will be continued in 2016 and beyond that. But suppose it is discontinued in 2016 or 2017 or 2018 wouldn’t that be like putting a certain section of students at a disadvantage as their seniors had taken 6 attempts but they only got 4 attempts.
mrunal sir…if i appear for a preliminary examination(IAS+IFOS) then it will definitely be counted as an attempt to civil services…but after qualifying it I appear only for civil services mains and not ifos mains….so will this be counted as an attempt to ifos????plzz reply???
if i have appeared for prelims four times(general category) and never sat for ifos mains…then will i be allowed to sit for prelims 5th time as i want to appear for ifos mains??? plzz reply….
sir is there any chance that upsc conduct ifos mains exam in hindi medium option
Yes chance is there 50/50
I have a question Mrunal Sir.
I am from Maharashtra. My caste is consider as OBC in Maharashtra state list. But it is not included or may be present with different name in Central list.
Will UPSC consider my application under OBC category…?
Hello Sir, will u plz tell me whether MCA candidates are eligible for Indian Engineering Services exam? Thank u…..
@Roopali…Dear only Degree in Engineering is eligible
pg student in physics can also apply for engg service
Mrunal sir. Upsc gives 10%resrvation to exservicemen in capf ac exam. However only 5 years age relaxatio. That means a exservicemen can apply upto 30 (gen) 33 obc and 35 sc/st. A person need to serve at least 15 yrs to get pension in defence after discharge from service after joining at the age of 18 yrs and above. This implies that exsrvcemen of gen and obc category not going to get any benefit of reservatio. Plz clarify can we ask for clarification from govt agenciea. Plz guide regards.
When is the age counted? 1st August or 1st January?
answer to this question if i may correct
that if an exam is planned in between january to june then 1st january
if exam is in july to december then 1st august is cutt off date
i had earlier posted a comment requesting people to see this ana,moly and have their right s of age
back to them
in capf asst comdt exam this year the exam is shifted in july so again 2nd august will be cutt off date but if we request upsc may be some provision could be made by them as many people will be able to apply
to all candidates
if one can give IFos exam and also IAS exam so both trial are mearge or separeted total ten trials .
Hi mrunal sir, actually I wanted to clarify that, I have given my first attempt in 2012,and second one in 2013, and now my age is 24 & I belong to general category.. So still how many attempts I ll get only 2 or 4.. Pls reply me sir… And also Iam planning to take a gap of one year and if I ll write in 2015 in that case how many attempts will I have….
sir i’m a obc candidate. i have doubt regarding creamy layer. according to details given below where do i stand:
caste; obc in central list
father: SBI employee joined as clerk …now depty. manager..age 55….his annual income from salary for last 3 yrs was above 6 lkh…. no other source of income
Mrunal sir ,
I am 24 running and completed 23 years on last december.
I hope that on the basis of csat i can crack pre exam but my preparation for mains gs and optional is not good .Before attempt relaxation notification came ,I had thaught to appear in 2015 but after notification i am thinking to appear in 2014.
But I have a confusion that UPSC will change
attempt to 4 in future say 2016 .
so please sir guide me whether i will appear in 2014 or not and explain about this possibilities.