Government Job Age Limit Relaxation 2026 — SC/ST/OBC/EWS Complete Guide

1. General Category Age Limits

UPSC IAS: 21–32 years (6 attempts). SSC CGL: 18–27 years (some posts up to 30). IBPS PO: 20–30 years. RRB NTPC: 18–36 years. Railway Group D: 18–36 years. State PSC: Varies by state (typically 21–35 for general). Always check the official notification for each exam.

2. SC/ST Age Relaxation

SC and ST candidates get 5 years relaxation across almost all central government exams. UPSC: Limit becomes 37 years, attempts unlimited. SSC CGL: 32 years (some posts 35). IBPS: 35 years. This is mandatory per Government of India rules and applies to all central government posts.

3. OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Age Relaxation

OBC-NCL candidates get 3 years age relaxation in central government exams. UPSC: 35 years, 9 attempts. SSC CGL: 30 years. IBPS: 33 years. Note: OBC certificate must be in the prescribed format for central government posts (not just state format) and must not be older than 1 year on the application date.

4. EWS (Economically Weaker Section)

EWS candidates get 10% reservation but generally NO age relaxation (unlike SC/ST/OBC). The EWS category was introduced in 2019. Always verify the specific exam notification as some exams have started providing 5-year relaxation to EWS.

5. PwD and Ex-Servicemen

PwD (Persons with Disabilities): 10 years relaxation (General PwD), 15 years (OBC PwD), 15 years (SC/ST PwD). Ex-Servicemen: 3 years beyond upper limit after deducting military service. This means a soldier with 10 years of service applying for a post with 30-year limit gets 30 - 10 + 3 = 23 as effective limit.

6. Other Relaxations

Widows/Divorced Women: 35 years (general), 38 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST) for certain posts. Central Government Employees: 5 years for posts filled by DPC. Candidates domiciled in J&K during 01 Jan 1980 – 31 Dec 1989: 5 years additional relaxation. Always check the notification for exam-specific relaxations.

Frequently Asked Questions