ST Category Benefits in Government Exams
Scheduled Tribe candidates get the same level of age relaxation and fee benefits as SC — plus the same unlimited UPSC attempts. The key difference from SC is the reservation percentage: 7.5% instead of 15%. Here's the full breakdown across all major central government exams.
What ST Candidates Get
Age relaxation over the General category limit in every central government exam — same as SC.
Zero application fee in SSC, UPSC, and Railways. Reduced fee in Banking (IBPS, SBI).
7.5 out of every 100 central government vacancies are reserved for ST candidates.
Age Relaxation
ST candidates get 5 extra years over the General category upper age limit for every central government exam. The table below shows your actual upper age limit after relaxation.
| Exam | General Limit | Your Limit (ST) |
|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL | 32 years | 37 years |
| SSC CHSL | 27 years | 32 years |
| SSC MTS | 25 years | 30 years |
| SSC GD Constable | 23 years | 28 years |
| SSC CPO | 25 years | 30 years |
| IBPS PO | 30 years | 35 years |
| IBPS Clerk | 28 years | 33 years |
| IBPS RRB PO | 32 years | 37 years |
| SBI PO | 30 years | 35 years |
| SBI Clerk | 28 years | 33 years |
| RRB NTPC | 33 years | 38 years |
| RRB Group D | 33 years | 38 years |
| UPSC CSE (IAS/IPS) | 32 years | 37 years |
| CTET | No upper age limit | No upper age limit |
| NDA | 16.5–19.5 years | No relaxation |
| CDS | 19–25 years (varies) | No relaxation |
UPSC Attempts (ST gets Unlimited)
ST candidates have no cap on the number of UPSC Civil Services attempts, same as SC.
| Category | Max Attempts | Up to Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 6 attempts | 32 years |
| OBC | 9 attempts | 35 years |
| SC / ST | Unlimited | 37 years |
| PwD | 9 attempts | Age limit |
You can attempt UPSC CSE as many times as you want until you turn 37.
Application Fee
Like SC candidates, ST candidates are exempted from paying application fees in central recruitment bodies like SSC, UPSC, and Railways.
| Exam | General Fee | ST Fee | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL | ₹100 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹100 |
| SSC CHSL | ₹100 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹100 |
| SSC MTS | ₹100 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹100 |
| SSC GD Constable | ₹100 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹100 |
| SSC CPO | ₹100 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹100 |
| UPSC CSE | ₹100 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹100 |
| RRB NTPC | ₹500 | ₹250 | ₹250 |
| RRB Group D | ₹500 | ₹250 | ₹250 |
| IBPS PO | ₹850 | ₹175 | ₹675 |
| IBPS Clerk | ₹850 | ₹175 | ₹675 |
| IBPS RRB PO | ₹850 | ₹175 | ₹675 |
| SBI PO | ₹750 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹750 |
| SBI Clerk | ₹750 | Exempt (₹0) | ₹750 |
| CTET | ₹1200 (Paper 1) | ₹600 | ₹600 |
Reserved Seats
7.5% of all central government vacancies are reserved for ST candidates. You compete only within the ST pool for those seats. This applies to SSC, IBPS, SBI, Railways, UPSC, NVS, KVS, and all central government departments.
ST cut-offs are set separately from General, OBC, SC, and EWS cut-offs. You do not need to match the General category score to get selected.
Why 7.5% and not more?
The percentage is proportional to the ST population share in India as per constitutional provisions. In certain northeastern states and tribal-heavy regions, state-level ST reservation is significantly higher — sometimes up to 31% (Meghalaya) or 50% (certain Jharkhand posts). This page only covers central exams.Certificate You Need to Claim These Benefits
ST Caste Certificate
Issued by: District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, First Class Stipendiary Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or Tehsildar of your home district.
Your tribe must appear in the Central Government ST list. Tribal communities recognized in one state may not be recognized in another — your ST status is tied to the state where your tribe is notified.
The certificate is valid permanently. No renewal needed.
A Few Things to Know
- Minimum age is not relaxed. The lower age limit (usually 18) is the same for everyone.
- Physical standards not relaxed. Height, weight, and vision requirements for physical posts are the same for all categories.
- NDA and CDS: no relaxation. Fixed age bands for defence entry.
- State exams may give more. Many states with significant tribal populations have much higher ST reservation at the state level. Check state notifications separately.
- ST + PwD stacking. If you also have a disability, you get both benefits — your age relaxation would be +5 (ST) + 10 (PwD) = +15 years.
FAQ
Can I claim ST benefits if I apply to state-level recruitments in another state?
Generally, state-level reservation benefits (OBC, SC, ST) are restricted to candidates who are native to that state. If you apply for state-level exams outside your home state, you will be evaluated under the General (UR) category. However, for central government exams (like SSC, Banking, Railways, UPSC), your ST status is valid nationwide as long as your community is included in the Central ST list.
Does my ST certificate expire?
No. Similar to SC certificates, Scheduled Tribe certificates are valid permanently and do not require periodic renewal.
Can ST and PwD benefits be combined?
Yes, they stack. If you have a benchmark disability (40% or more) and belong to the ST category, your relaxations stack horizontally. For instance, your total age relaxation will be +15 years (+5 years from ST and +10 years from PwD).
Disclaimer: Age limits, fees, and reservation percentages are based on recent central government notifications. Individual exam cycles may vary. Always verify with the official notification before applying. Last reviewed June 2025.