Punjab Civil Service Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

A mandatory educational qualification for all candidates is a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Additionally, all applicants must have passed Matriculation (10th standard) with Punjabi as a compulsory or elective subject. Candidates applying for specialized roles such as the Deputy Superintendent of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Jails must also satisfy additional physical fitness criteria, including specific minimum height and chest measurements, as mandated by the commission.

The eligibility criteria regarding age for the Punjab Civil Services examination is strictly defined. Candidates must be between 21 and 37 years of age. It is vital to verify the specific age calculation date as mentioned in the official notification to ensure compliance with the age limit requirements. Certain posts, such as that of Deputy Superintendent of Police, carry specific age constraints, including a reduced maximum age limit of 28 years, to ensure that candidates meet the physical requirements of law enforcement roles.

The selection process for the Punjab Civil Services is conducted in three rigorous stages:

• Preliminary Examination: An objective-type test consisting of two papers—General Studies and CSAT. This stage screens candidates for the Mains. Paper I carries weightage for merit, while Paper II is qualifying.
• Mains Examination: A descriptive-type test comprising seven papers, including English, Punjabi, and various General Studies papers. It evaluates in-depth knowledge and analytical capacity.
• Interview: The final stage, accounting for 150 marks, tests the personality and administrative aptitude of the candidates. Document verification is conducted during this phase.

• Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes candidates are entitled to age relaxation as per the state government policy.
• Backward Classes of Punjab state are eligible for age relaxation.
• Ex-Servicemen and their lineal descendants (LDESM) enjoy specific age relaxations.
• Persons with Disabilities (PWD) receive age relaxation in accordance with official state norms.
• The specific criteria for each category are outlined in the official PPSC recruitment notification, and candidates must provide valid certificates to claim these benefits.