Eligibility for UPSC Civil Service Exam in Kochi (May 2024):
The eligibility criteria for the UPSC Civil Service Exam, scheduled for May 2024 in Kochi, Ernakulam, remain consistent across all examination centers. Irrespective of the center, candidates must adhere to the same syllabus, pattern, and eligibility requirements.
Age Eligibility: Candidates must be a minimum of 21 years old to appear for the exam. The age is calculated based on the candidate’s age as of August 1 of the examination year. Therefore, individuals who are 20 years and 364 days old are not eligible. This age requirement is uniform for all categories of candidates.
Educational Qualification: The educational qualification is also standardized for all categories, including SC, ST, OBC, and General candidates. All applicants must hold a degree in any field, be it engineering, medicine (MBBS), arts, or any other discipline. Even candidates in their final year of the degree program can apply, provided they select the option indicating their appearance for the degree exam.
Minimum Marks Requirement: The UPSC does not set a minimum mark requirement for the degree exam. Whether a candidate scores a gold medal or simply passes the degree exam, both are considered eligible to apply for the UPSC Civil Service Exam. As of 2024, there is no specified minimum mark for the examination.
Maximum Age Limit: The maximum age limit varies based on the candidate’s category. For General candidates, the limit is 32 years, OBC candidates can apply until the age of 35, and for SC and ST candidates, the maximum age limit is 37.
Number of Attempts: The number of attempts allowed depends on the candidate’s category. SC and ST candidates have no maximum limit on attempts until the age of 37. OBC candidates can attempt the exam up to 9 times, while General category candidates have a limit of 6 attempts. It’s important to note that even appearing for the prelims counts as one attempt. Additionally, if a candidate completes all formalities but does not appear for the exam, it is not considered as an attempt.
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