UPSC Reform: Ex-RBI Chief Proposes 40-Plus Age Limit, Attempt Limits, and Mid-Career Entry; Know it All

2 min read

Somdatta Roy

Senior Content Writer | Updated on - May 29, 2025

Former head of India's central bank, Duvvuri Subbarao, wants big changes to how India recruits its civil servants. He suggests two main things: first, make UPSC exam harder to get into by lowering the age limit and reducing the attempt limit. Second, he wants a regular way for experienced professionals in their 40s to join the IAS in the middle of their careers.

Former RBI Governor Subbarao recently highlighted the intense competition of the civil services exam, observing that for every successful candidate, at least ten others dedicate years to preparation but ultimately fail. He pointed out this as an "abysmal waste of productive years," emphasizing the psychological burden and "sunk cost fallacy". Due to the current system allowing aspirants up to 6 attempts between ages 21 and 32, many faces significant challenges. He argues that this extended eligibility often privileges exam technique over inherent merit, making the selection process prone to errors. Drawing from his experience in the 1970s, when only 2 attempts were allowed within a tighter age range 21-24 years, he now suggests a more balanced approach that is a maximum of 3 attempts and an upper age limit of 27 years.

Ex-RBI Chief Duvvuri Subbarao

To complement this, Subbarao envisions a second, permanent annual recruitment channel for experienced professionals aged 40-42. This would be distinct from ad-hoc lateral entries, operating as a competitive tier managed by UPSC. He believes these "Tier 2 recruits" would bring invaluable real-world experience and external governance exposure, addressing gaps in younger recruits' backgrounds and making the civil service "collectively more relevant and useful, and maybe even more caring."

However, Subbarao emphasizes the importance of retaining the current entry route for young candidates, acknowledging their "youthful spirit, raw enthusiasm and unspoilt enterprise." He concludes that while the civil service exam has greatly improved over the past five decades, there's still a need to "push the envelope" for further reform.

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