MPSC State Service Exam – Maharashtra Public Service Commission Eligibility Criteria 2026

The educational qualification required for the MPSC Rajyaseva examination is focused on ensuring that candidates possess the foundational knowledge required for high-level administrative service. The criteria are as follows:

• Bachelor's Degree: The mandatory educational requirement for all posts under the MPSC Rajyaseva recruitment is a Bachelor's Degree from a university recognized and registered in India.
• Equivalency: Candidates who possess a degree that is considered equivalent to a Bachelor's degree by the university or state government are also eligible to apply.
• No Specific Stream: The notification generally requires a general graduation degree, meaning candidates from various academic streams—Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, etc.—are eligible to participate, provided their degree is from a recognized institution.
• Verification: During the document verification stage, candidates must present their original degree certificates and mark sheets to verify their eligibility. Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation may be allowed to apply, but they must possess their final degree certificate by the time of the document verification process.

It is strictly advised that candidates verify that their degree is from a recognized institution to avoid complications. Failure to provide valid proof of educational qualification during the selection process will result in immediate disqualification.

The eligibility for the MPSC Rajyaseva examination regarding age is clearly defined to ensure a fair opportunity for all age groups while maintaining the seniority and experience requirements for administrative roles. The following criteria apply to all candidates:

• Minimum Age Limit: The minimum age for appearing in the Rajyaseva examination is 19 years. This requirement is uniform across all communities and does not have specific relaxations.
• Maximum Age Limit: For candidates belonging to the General (Unreserved) category, the upper age limit is set at 38 years.
• Age Relaxation: The commission provides specific relaxations in the upper age limit for reserved categories, which is subject to the government's prevailing rules and regulations at the time of notification.

Candidates must carefully verify their date of birth against the records in their school leaving certificate or birth certificate, as this will be used for official verification. It is essential to ensure that your age falls within the prescribed limit as of the date mentioned in the official notification. Any discrepancy found in the age documentation during the interview or document verification process may lead to the immediate rejection of the candidate's application.

The selection process for the MPSC Rajyaseva examination is structured in three distinct, sequential stages. Candidates must qualify in each stage to advance to the next.

1. Preliminary Examination

This is the first stage and serves as a screening test. It is a written exam containing objective-type questions covering General Studies and Aptitude. The primary objective is to select the best candidates for the Main examination. The cut-off marks for this stage are determined by the MPSC, and only those clearing this cut-off proceed further. The total marks for this stage are 400.

2. Main Examination

Candidates who succeed in the Prelims are eligible to appear for the Main examination. This is a descriptive written test that evaluates the candidate’s in-depth knowledge of subjects like Polity, Geography, Economy, and Human Resource Development. The mains include multiple papers (Paper I to VI), testing both language proficiency and subject-specific expertise. The total marks for the Mains are 800.

3. Personal Interview

The final stage is the personal interview. Candidates shortlisted from the Mains appear before a panel. This stage judges the candidate’s personality, presence of mind, mental ability, and overall field knowledge. The total marks for the interview are 100. The final merit list is prepared based on the cumulative scores of the Mains and the Interview.

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission provides age relaxation for specific categories to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity for candidates from diverse backgrounds. While the general upper age limit is 38 years, the following relaxations apply:

• Reserved Categories: Candidates belonging to backward classes and other reserved categories are granted specific years of relaxation in the upper age limit as per the Maharashtra State Government norms.
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS): Eligible candidates under the EWS category may receive age relaxation benefits as defined by the commission’s guidelines.
• PwD (Divyang) Candidates: Individuals with benchmark disabilities are provided with relaxation in the maximum age limit to facilitate their participation in the administrative services.
• Orphans: Special consideration and age relaxation are provided for orphan candidates, in accordance with the state’s reservation policy for orphans.

The exact number of years for which relaxation is applicable for each category is mentioned in the official notification. Candidates must ensure they possess valid, up-to-date certificates issued by the competent authority to claim these benefits during the application and verification stages.