UPSC Exam Eligibility: Foreigners can also become government officers in India, rules have been made for people from Nepal and Bhutan..

UPSC Exam Eligibility: The UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the toughest exams in India. The youth who succeed in it get government jobs in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central civil services. Usually, only Indian citizens can appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, but under certain conditions, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and some other countries of Indian origin can also appear for the UPSC exam.

It is mandatory for candidates settled abroad to fulfill eligibility criteria such as nationality, educational qualification, and age limit. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan can apply for some central services, but they will have to obtain an eligibility certificate from the Government of India. The rules are strict for Sri Lankan citizens, and only those people of Indian origin who have come to India to settle permanently. Information about these rules has been given in the official notification of UPSC on upsc.gov.in.

UPSC Exam Eligibility Criteria: People from which countries can appear for the UPSC exam?

The UPSC exam is known for its tough selection process. It is mandatory to pass the 3-stage exam - prelims, mains, and interview. Indian citizenship is a necessary condition to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam. However, under certain conditions, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and some other countries may be allowed to appear in this exam for limited services. Understand the rules for this:

General Eligibility Criteria (Nationality) for UPSC Exam

Only the following youth can apply for the UPSC Civil Services Exam:

Indian citizens.

Citizens of Nepal or Bhutan, but only for certain services (such as IAS, IPS, and other central civil services except IFS), provided they have an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

Tibetan refugees who have come to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle in India.

Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam to permanently settle in India and have an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

How can citizens of Nepal and Bhutan appear for the UPSC exam?

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are considered foreigners. Still, they are allowed to appear for the UPSC Civil Services exam. But they are not eligible for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). They can apply for other central civil services (Group A and some Group B). For this, they must have an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India. Citizens of Sri Lanka cannot appear for this exam.

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Exam
Educational Qualification: The candidate must have at least a graduation degree from a recognized university. Graduation final year students can also apply for the UPSC prelims exam, but it is necessary to provide proof of degree to pass it and appear in the mains exam.

Age Limit (UPSC Exam Age Limit): As on August 1, 2025, the age of the candidate should be between 21 and 32 years (for the general category). The age limit is relaxed for reserved categories (OBC, SC/ST) and in some special cases.

Number of Attempts (UPSC Exam Attempts Limit): Maximum 6 attempts for the general category, 9 attempts for OBC, and no limit of attempts for SC/ST (up to age limit). If foreign nationals meet the eligibility criteria, then these rules will also be applicable to them.

Useful thing

Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or other countries must obtain an eligibility certificate from the Government of India to appear in the UPSC exam.

Eligibility for Sri Lankan citizens is possible only if they are of Indian origin and have come to settle permanently in India.
Nationality and other eligibility criteria are given in the notification on the official website of UPSC upsc.gov.in. One should read it carefully before applying.

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