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Check Your Complete Eligibility
Age is just one part of the picture. Follow this guide to ensure you meet all requirements before submitting your application.
Tip: Check age first. It is the fastest way to know whether you may be eligible before checking other rules. The official notification always controls.
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Use this as a planning screen, then verify the current official notice.
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Fill in your profile and run the evaluator to see the age window, qualification reminder, and the official checks you still need to verify.
Full Eligibility Checklist
Work through each step. Every section is included in the generated page and can be expanded or collapsed for easier reading.
01Age EligibilityEvery exam specifies a minimum and maximum age limit as of a cut-off date mentioned in the official notification.
Every exam specifies a minimum and maximum age limit as of a cut-off date mentioned in the official notification.
- UPSC CSE: 21–32 years (General); 21–35 (OBC); 21–37 (SC/ST); relaxation for PwD
- SSC CGL: 18–32 years for most posts (varies by post); relaxation for reserved categories
- IBPS PO / SBI PO: 20–30 years (General); up to 35 years (SC/ST)
- NDA: 16.5–19.5 years at the time of joining; calculated from the notification date
- RRB NTPC: 18–30 years for most posts (Graduate Level); 18–33 years for some posts
- State PSCs (UPPSC, BPSC, WBCS): 21–40 years typically; varies significantly by state
Practical tip: Use the Age Calculator below to check whether you fall within the age range for your target exam.
02Educational QualificationYou must hold the specific degree or certificate by the application closing date, not just at the time of joining.
You must hold the specific degree or certificate by the application closing date, not just at the time of joining.
- Civil Services (UPSC CSE / State PSCs): Any Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university
- SSC CGL: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- SSC CHSL: 12th Pass from a recognized Board
- SSC MTS / GD Constable: 10th Pass (Matriculation) from a recognized Board
- IBPS PO / SBI PO: Any Bachelor's Degree; computer proficiency is often required
- RRB JE: 3-year Diploma or B.E./B.Tech in a relevant engineering branch
- NDA: 12th Pass (PCM mandatory for Navy and Air Force wing)
- CTET Paper I: D.El.Ed (2-year); CTET Paper II: B.Ed from a recognized institution
- UGC NET: Master's Degree with minimum 55% marks (50% for reserved categories)
- Final-year students: Eligible to apply but must show proof of passing before document verification
Practical tip: Check the official notification wording. Sometimes graduation means any degree; sometimes it is subject-specific.
03Nationality & CitizenshipIndian citizenship is required for most Central Government exams. Some exams allow candidates from neighbouring countries under specific conditions.
Indian citizenship is required for most Central Government exams. Some exams allow candidates from neighbouring countries under specific conditions.
- Must be a citizen of India under the applicable constitutional and statutory rules
- For certain posts, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or qualifying Tibetan refugees may be eligible under specific conditions
- NRI / PIO / OCI candidates are generally not eligible for government service posts unless the notice says otherwise
- Some state exams require domicile proof of that state
- Naturalized citizens should carry proof of citizenship acquisition
Practical tip: Domicile for state exams is separate from citizenship. Check both.
04Physical & Medical StandardsDefence, police, and paramilitary exams have strict physical fitness requirements. Medical examination is conducted after the written test.
Defence, police, and paramilitary exams have strict physical fitness requirements. Medical examination is conducted after the written test.
- Defence (NDA/CDS): Vision, hearing, orthopaedic, and general fitness standards specified by the services
- CAPF (BSF/CISF/CRPF/etc.): Height, chest, running, long jump, and other standards vary by notice and category
- SSC GD Constable: Height, race, and physical standards vary by category and recruitment notice
- RRB: Medical categories such as A1/A2/A3 apply to loco pilots and other safety-related posts
- Civil Services / Banking / Teaching: Usually no physical standards, only a fitness declaration
- PwD candidates: Standards can be relaxed; check the accepted disability category for each exam
Practical tip: Get a medical check-up early for physical posts so you know your baseline before the selection stages.
05Character & BackgroundGovernment employment requires a clean background. Criminal records, misconduct cases, or dismissals from service can affect eligibility.
Government employment requires a clean background. Criminal records, misconduct cases, or dismissals from service can affect eligibility.
- Do not assume a past issue is irrelevant; read the notice and disclose information honestly
- Dismissal or removal from government service may affect appointment
- Debarment from public examinations can affect future applications
- A character certificate from a gazetted officer or school/college principal may be needed at document verification
- Pending cases and required disclosures must be handled exactly as the official notice directs
Practical tip: Always disclose honestly. Hiding details in a background check can cause more harm than the original issue.
06Number of AttemptsMany competitive exams cap how many times you can appear. This is separate from age eligibility.
Many competitive exams cap how many times you can appear. This is separate from age eligibility.
- UPSC CSE: 6 attempts (General); 9 attempts (OBC); unlimited until the age limit for SC/ST, subject to the official rules
- UPSC CDS / NDA: No general attempt limit is specified; age and other conditions apply
- SSC CGL / CHSL / MTS: Usually no attempt limit; age and notice conditions apply
- IBPS PO / Clerk / SBI PO: Check the specific notice for age and attempt conditions
- State PSCs: Vary by state; read the current notice rather than relying on a general table
- For UPSC, an attempt can count when you appear in a compulsory Prelims paper; verify the current rule
Practical tip: For any exam with an attempt limit, read the current notification before using an attempt for practice.
07Other RequirementsSome exams have additional criteria based on the nature of the post.
Some exams have additional criteria based on the nature of the post.
- Language: Some state exams require knowledge of the official state language
- Marital status: Some defence exams have restrictions for candidates in specific entries
- Computer proficiency: Mandatory for many banking and clerical posts
- Knowledge of a local area: Required for some police or field-level posts
- Sports / NCC / NSS: May give preference marks or eligibility benefits in certain state-level exams
Practical tip: Read 'desirable' versus 'essential' carefully. Desirable criteria may affect final selection but not initial screening.
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