Overview

• Subbarao proposes reducing the UPSC Civil Services Exam’s upper age cap from 32 to 27 and limiting candidates to three attempts to discourage repetitive test preparation.
• He contends that the existing framework rewards exam-taking skills over public administration potential by offering a wide 21–32 age span and up to six tries, invoking the psychological sunk cost fallacy.
• The reform package includes a new annual recruitment channel for seasoned professionals aged 40–42 to introduce real-world experience into the bureaucracy.
• Historical records show that at least five expert panels, from the 1955 Qualifications Committee to the 2008 Administrative Reforms Commission, advocated similar age and attempt limits but were stymied by political considerations.
• Stakeholders caution stricter cutoffs could undercut opportunities for candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds who depend on age relaxations and multiple exam attempts.