Eligibility criteria for government jobs are guidelines set by recruiting bodies to select applicants to fill specific roles in departments and ministries in India. The eligibility criteria for govt jobs ensure ideal candidates fill available roles in India’s public sector. Requirements to secure a govt job vary according to the level of government, department, or vacancy.
Understanding eligibility requirements equips candidates with enough information to choose suitable jobs across departments and ministries in the public sector.
Common eligibility requirements for govt jobs apply to central, state-level, defence, judiciary, and other sectors. Each sector has specific criteria that determine the selection of candidates based on educational qualifications, age limits, exam requirements, and other factors.
Educational Qualifications
Essential educational qualifications usually range from 10th to professional degrees based on the role.
| Sector | Minimum Qualification | Examples of Required Degrees |
| Central Government | 10th to Graduation | B.A., B.Sc., Engineering |
| State Government | 10th to Graduation | State Board Certification, Graduation in any discipline |
| Public Sector Undertakings | Graduation in specific disciplines | B.E./B.Tech., B.Com., MBA |
| Defence/Paramilitary | 10th to Graduation | SSC, HSC, Graduate in any stream |
| Judiciary | Law Degree | LLB, Integrated Law programs |
Many PSUs require applicants to possess bachelor’s degrees in various disciplines. Some high-level roles in PSUs may also require an MBA along with other professional certifications.
Age Limits for Government Jobs
Government jobs have specific age limits by sector and the limits range between 17 and 35 years old in most cases. State government and judiciary employees have wider age ranges for employment overall and offer higher relaxation limits for specific group.
Defence sector employment has the shortest age range (usually between 17 and 23 years old) compared to other govt jobs.
| Sector | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation for SC/ST | Age Relaxation for OBC |
| Central Government | 18 | 30 | 5 years | 3 years |
| State Government | 18 | 35 | 5 years | 3 years |
| PSUs | 21 | 30 | 5 years | 3 years |
| Defence/Paramilitary | 17 | 23 | 5 years | 3 years |
| Judiciary | 21 | 35 | 5 years | 3 years |
Age limits for central government jobs may not apply to all roles; however, relaxation can be available to 40-year-old applicants in many cases. State government jobs may offer different age limits based on their rules. State-specific age limits may offer higher or lower relaxation across available roles.
GATE-based hiring may apply to some roles in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) where maximum application age does not exceed 30 years.
The maximum age to be eligible for defence sector employment is usually 23 years. However, applicants seeking senior roles may get higher limits that could add 3 to 5 years to the maximum required age.
Available roles in the judiciary may see applicants secure roles between 21 and 35 years of age. However, specific state rules may determine age limits for judiciary workers.
Exam Requirements and Selection Process
Govt jobs that require applicants to pass exams are common when central or state-level roles are available. Special exams may also be necessary to gain employment in the defence sector and other specific areas.
| Sector | Exam Requirements | Selection Process |
| Central Government | SSC, UPSC, Civil Services | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| State Government | State PSC exams | Written test, Interview |
| PSUs | GATE, individual PSU exams | Based on GATE score or PSU exams, GD, Interview |
| Defence/Paramilitary | NDA, CDS, AFCAT, CAPF exams | Written test, Physical tests, SSB Interview |
| Judiciary | Judicial Service Exams | Preliminary, Mains, Interview |
Eligibility Criteria for Central Government Jobs
Central govt roles offered through SSC, UPSC, and ministries usually have eligibility criteria based on educational qualification, age limit, nationality, and other factors.
See an illustration of posts available through SSC CGL, the educational requirements, and age limit to understand differences in criteria based on position:
| SSC CGL Post | Educational Requirement | Age Limit |
| Assistant Audit Officer | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline | 20-30 years |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Bachelor’s with Statistics/Maths | 18-32 years |
| Tax Assistant | Bachelor’s Degree | 18-27 years |
Requirements for central govt jobs differ based on the exam conducting body and set guidelines to recruit employees into such roles.
Eligibility Criteria for State Government Jobs
State-level employment opportunities usually come with varying eligibility criteria candidates must fulfil. States can set their eligibility standards and usually demand candidates to satisfy requirements like educational qualification, age limit, and domicile requirements.
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
PSUs are high-value jobs that require candidates to meet or exceed set eligibility standards while considering applicants for employment. Major PSUs will usually require candidates that hold technical or engineering degrees, applicants no older than 30 years, and technical skills with a valid GATE score.
| PSU | Position | Education | Age Limit | Exam Requirement |
| ONGC | Graduate Trainee | B.E./B.Tech. | 21-28 years | GATE Score |
| BHEL | Engineer Trainee | B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech | 21-30 years | GATE Score |
Defence and Paramilitary Forces
Working in the Defence and paramilitary requires stringent eligibility criteria. Candidates must pass tough physical tests and possess required educational qualifications to secure roles into India’s defence sector.
| Force | Position | Education | Age Limit | Physical Standards |
| Indian Army | Soldier | 10th/12th | 17.5-21 years | Height, Chest, Weight |
| BSF | Constable | 10th | 18-23 years | Physical Efficiency Test |
Judiciary Jobs
Jobs in the judiciary require a law degree and practicing experience (for senior roles). Applicants usually need to be between 21 and 35 years old to secure employment in this sector.
| Position | Educational Requirement | Age Limit | Additional Requirements |
| Civil Judge | LLB degree | 22-35 years | State judiciary exams |
| Magistrate | LLB degree | 21-35 years | Experience in practicing law |
Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories
Government jobs provide age relaxation for special categories. These categories cover some castes and tribes, backward classes, disabled people, and ex-servicemen. Age relaxation limits differ among categories.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3-5 years, depending on service |
Conclusion
Eligibility criteria for govt jobs offers structure to recruitment into govt roles in specific sectors. Candidates need to understand certain eligibility criteria like age limits, educational qualifications, physical standards, exam requirements, and more to secure govt jobs.
Knowing what each govt job requires ensures candidates can choose suitable job roles that align with their age limits, current educational qualifications, and other requirements.