New Delhi: From this year onwards, civil service aspirants will get two attempts more than the current four to crack the competitive exam.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has effected major changes in norms of civil services examination like granting aspiring candidates two additional attempts and consequential age relaxations from this year onwards.
There is, however, no restriction on number of attempts by a candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories.
There will also be consequential age relaxations from this year onwards. A candidate between the age group of 21 and 32 years as on August 1, 2014 can take the prestigious exam.
According to the notification, a candidate "must have been born not earlier than August, 2, 1982 and not later than August 1, 1993" to take the exam.
The examination conducted by the UPSC to select Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers among others.
The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2014 will be held on August 24.
The examination is conducted in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview.
The number of vacancies to be filled through the examination is expected to be approximately 1,291, which includes 26 reserved for physically handicapped category, the notification said.
There has been no other change in the format and syllabi of exam papers.
