Upper age limits are higher for reserved categories. The usual central-government pattern is:
| Category | Extra years |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 0 |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 |
| SC / ST | 5 |
| PwBD (General / EWS) | 10 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 |
Note that EWS candidates get no age relaxation. Ex-servicemen and some other groups have separate concessions that depend on the notification.
Example
If the General upper limit is 32, an OBC candidate can be up to 35 and an SC/ST candidate up to 37 on the cut-off date.
Check your own case with the age calculator for govt jobs, then confirm in the notification.
More examples
Take an exam with an upper limit of 30 years. A General or EWS candidate can be up to 30. An OBC non-creamy-layer candidate can be up to 33, an SC or ST candidate up to 35, and a PwBD candidate in the General category up to 40. A PwBD candidate who is also OBC gets 13 extra years, so up to 43, and a PwBD candidate in SC or ST gets 15, up to 45.
Points that cause confusion
- EWS does not get age relaxation. EWS reservation concerns seats, not age.
- Certificates. Category and disability certificates must be in the format and validity period the notification requires. Check the notice before you apply.
- Different rules for different bodies. State recruitment and some organisations have their own rules, so the table above applies to the usual central pattern only.
- Ex-servicemen and other groups. They have separate concessions that are not in this table.
Frequently asked questions
Is the relaxation added to the minimum age too?
No. Relaxation raises the upper age limit. The minimum age stays the same.
Can relaxations be combined?
The PwBD figures above already combine disability with category. Other combinations depend on the notification.
Where can I check my own case?
Use the age calculator linked above, then confirm in the notification.