The Uttar Pradesh Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services Examination (UPPCS) is held annually by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). It is one of the state's most prominent competitive examinations, drawing thousands of applicants hoping to join the government.
One of the most frequently asked questions by applicants is the number of attempts in UPPSC, as effective exam preparation requires knowledge of the attempt limit as well as eligibility requirements. In this blog, we'll talk about who can try, how to get ready, and how many times you can try. We'll also look at how UPPSC books and previous year papers can help you do your best.
Understanding UPPSC Exam
There are three phases to the UPPCS exam:
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Initial Assessment: Type of Objective
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Main Exam: Descriptive writing
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Personality test and interview
The state uses this test to pick people for many big jobs, like Deputy Collector, Block Development Officer, and other top posts.
Most candidates can take the UPPCS exam as many times as they like, unlike some other competitive exams like UPSC. This implies that, as long as you fulfill the age restriction and other requirements for eligibility, you are free to take the test as often as you like.
To put it simply, the number of attempts is solely determined by your age. You are unable to retake the exam once you have reached the maximum age allowed for your category.
Age Limit for UPPCS (as per latest notification)
Category |
Minimum Age |
Maximum Age |
General |
21 years |
40 years |
OBC |
21 years |
43 years |
SC/ST |
21 years |
45 years |
PWD (General) |
21 years |
55 years |
PWD (OBC/SC/ST) |
21 years |
58 years |
The Relationship Between Age Limit and Attempts
Assume you are 24 years old and in the General category when you take the UPPCS exam for the first time. If the exam is administered annually, you can take it every year for 17 years since you will have 17 years before you reach the 40-year-old upper age limit.
Due to the three-year age relaxation, this number rises for OBC candidates and even more for SC/ST candidates.
In short:
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No attempt limit on numbers.
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Your shots are only that you have to be eligible.
Additional Requirements for UPPCS Eligibility
Along with being of a certain age, the following prerequisites have to be met:
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Country of origin: Applicant has to be an Indian Citizen.
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A Bachelor's Degree: You must have achieved a bachelor's degree from an accredited university before the application deadline. Some positions may require certain certifications.
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Physical Measurements: Some posts require that you always meet these height and chest measurements, such as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
Understanding the attempt limit in UPPSC
Though there is no limit on attempts, it's still crucial not to take attempts lightly. Years wasted without adequate planning will only cause you loss. A good strategy is to treat your first or second attempt as your best attempt, because with age, responsibilities, and personal commitments may increase, making it harder to focus entirely on preparation.
Read More: UPPSC 2025: 2-Month Smart Study Plan to Crack the Prelims
How to Prepare for UPPCS Effectively?
Setting up for the UPPCS takes a lot of planning and hard work. Even though you can try many times, think of it as if every try counts. Many people fight for a few job spots.
This is how you can maximize your chances:
1. Read the UPPCS syllabus carefully
If you want to crack the exam, you need to understand the exam pattern first. And this can be done by thoroughly reading the syllabus. Learn the division of subjects in the prelims and mains. Prelims: General Studies Paper I and Paper II (CSAT). The main written exam includes multiple descriptive papers: General Hindi, Essay, and General Studies.
2. Solve UPPSC Previous Year Question Papers
Solving previous year papers is the perfect way to understand the difficulty level, question trends, and important topics. This practice will help you: Identify frequently repeated topics. Improve your speed and accuracy. Students are prepared with confidence for the actual exam.
3. Choose the Right UPPSC Books
Choosing the correct UPPSC Books is difficult. Don't hoard tons of books; Instead, get a few good sources. For example: NCERT for History, Geography, Polity, and Science:- Best books for reference for advanced preparation. A book on UP GK to know everything about its culture, history, etc.
4. Draft a realistic study plan
Make a Study Plan. Divide your preparation into phases:
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Phase 1: Start with basics: NCERTs and easy resources.
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Phase 2: Gradually move on to some advanced books and notes.
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Phase 3: Get as many mock tests and re-revision
5. Focus on Current Affairs
This topic is very important for prelims as well as mains. Read Newspapers or follow online credible news sites, and go through the Monthly current affairs compilation. Prepare your personalized Short Notes for the last time revision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many aspirants make these mistakes, which can cost them precious attempts:
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Depending only on coaching without self-study.
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Ignoring the mains exam while preparing for prelims.
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Not practicing answer writing for descriptive papers.
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Starting current affairs preparation too late.
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Using too many books instead of revising the best ones repeatedly.
Remember, even though there is no attempt limit, every failed year is a lost opportunity.
Final Words
So, there is no limit on the number of attempts. Until you reach the maximum age allowed for your category, you are free to make as many appearances as you like. Because of this, UPPCS is marginally more adaptable than other competitive tests like UPSC.
This adaptability should not be taken for granted, though. Since there are only a few seats available and there are thousands of applicants, the only way to succeed is to prepare well. Choose the best UPPSC books for your preparation, stick to a strict study schedule, and use UPPSC Previous Year Question Papers to gain a better understanding of the test.
You can achieve your goal of becoming a government officer by passing UPPCS on your first few tries if you get started early, maintain consistency, and concentrate on both the preliminary and main exams.