Age-limit in IAS exams relaxed

After increasing the number of attempts for civil service aspirants, the government has now raised the age limit for appearing in the examination for which over two lakh people appear every year. Last month, the government had announced the increase in the number of attempts by two in all categories, but had left open the issue of increasing the age limit. The Department of Personnel and Training on Tuesday announced the decision on the extension of age limit. According to new provisions, a general category candidate will have six attempts in place of the previous four. The age-limit for a general candidate has been increased to 32 years from the existing 30. For an SC/ST candidate, the number of attempts is unlimited and the age limit has been raised to 35 years. Until last year, the stipulation was for seven attempts and an age limit of 33 years for aspirants belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). However, as per the revised norms, an OBC candidate will now get nine attempts until 35 years of age. Physically challenged candidates in the general and OBC categories will now be eligible for nine attempts as against the seven. The revised age-limit will be 42 years for general and 45 years for OBC candidates. There is no cap on the number of attempts for physically handicapped candidates in the SC/ST categories, while there will be an age limit of 47 years for them as against the present 45 years. The Civil Services Examination (Preliminary), 2014, is tentatively scheduled to be held on August 24. The examinations are conducted in three stages-- preliminary, mains and interview. As per norms, a candidate who has attained the age of 21 years can apply for the examination.   DHNS