What counts as an attempt in UPSC Civil Services Exam?
An attempt is counted only if you actually sit for at least one paper of the Preliminary Examination. Applying for the exam but not attending does not count.
Govt Exam Attempt Limits & Calculator 2026
Check attempts remaining for UPSC, SBI PO, RBI, CDS, NDA, BPSC, RAS, JAIIB, CAIIB and more. Select your exam and category below.
CDS Attempt Calculator NDA Attempt Calculator BPSC Attempt Calculator RAS / RPSC Attempt Calculator JAIIB Attempt Calculator CAIIB Attempt Calculator
Attempts Eligibility Checker 🎯
Check if you have remaining attempts for your target government exam
Attempt Limits Comparison Table 2026
Overview of attempt limits for major central and state government recruitment examinations.
| Exam Name | General / EWS | OBC (NCL) | SC / ST | Attempt Counting Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) | 6 | 9 | Unlimited | Counts if you appear in any Prelims paper. |
| UPSC IES UPSC Engineering Services (IES/ESE) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| UPSC CDS UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| UPSC NDA UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| UPSC CAPF UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) AC | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SSC CGL SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SSC CHSL SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SSC MTS SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SSC GD SSC General Duty (GD) Constable | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SSC CPO SSC Central Police Organisation (CPO) SI | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SSC Steno SSC Stenographer Grade C & D | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SSC JE SSC Junior Engineer (JE) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| IBPS PO IBPS Probationary Officer (PO/MT) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| IBPS Clerk IBPS Clerk | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| SBI PO SBI Probationary Officer (PO) | 4 | 7 | Unlimited | Counts only if you write the Main exam. |
| SBI Clerk SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RBI Grade B RBI Grade B Officer | 6 | 9 | Unlimited | Counts only if you write Phase-I. |
| RBI Assistant RBI Assistant | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RRB NTPC RRB Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RRB Group D RRB Group D | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RRB JE RRB Junior Engineer (JE) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RRB ALP RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| UPPSC PCS UPPSC Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RPSC RAS RPSC Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| MPPSC SSE MPPSC State Service Examination | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| BPSC CCE BPSC Combined Competitive Examination | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| TNPSC CCSE TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| MPSC Rajyaseva MPSC State Service Examination (Rajyaseva) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| CGPSC SSE CGPSC State Service Examination | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| OPSC OCS OPSC Odisha Civil Services (OCS) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RRB Technician RRB Technician Grade-III (CEN 02/2026) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| RRB Technician Gr-I RRB Technician Grade-I Signal (CEN 02/2026) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| DSSSB DSSSB Combined Recruitment (Advt. 03/2026) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| UPSSSC Auditor UPSSSC Auditor & Assistant Accountant (Exam 14/2026) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| India Post GDS India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | No attempt limit. Unlimited attempts up to age limit. |
| JAIIB Junior Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 attempts or 3 years from first registration, whichever is earlier. Applying counts even if you do not appear. |
| CAIIB Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 attempts or 3 years from first registration, whichever is earlier. Applying counts even if you do not appear. |
Attempt Calculator FAQs
How are attempts counted for SBI PO?
For SBI PO, attempts are counted only if you appear in the Main Examination. Appearing in the Preliminary exam does not count as an attempt.
Do SSC exams (CGL, CHSL, MTS) have attempt limits?
No, Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams do not have attempt limits. You can appear as many times as you want as long as you are within the age eligibility limits.
Are there attempt limits for BPSC or MPPSC?
No, State PSC exams like BPSC (Bihar) and MPPSC (Madhya Pradesh) have no limits on attempts. You can appear unlimited times up to the upper age limit.
How many attempts are allowed for JAIIB and CAIIB?
IIBF allows 5 attempts within 3 years from first registration, whichever is earlier, for both JAIIB and CAIIB. Exams run twice a year (May/June and Nov/Dec). Applying counts as an attempt even if you do not appear; skipped windows do not. Enter first registration year and cycle on the JAIIB or CAIIB calculator to estimate attempts left and the last eligible session. CAIIB also requires JAIIB (or Part 1 of the Associate Examination). Verify the latest IIBF Rules & Syllabus PDFs on iibf.org.in.