The answer is no. Just applying or registering for the UPSC Exam does not qualify as an attempt. The count of attempts starts only when a candidate physically appears for the preliminary examination. Therefore, if a candidate, for whatever reason, fails to appear for the examination after registration, it will not be counted as an attempt. However, it's important to note that the age eligibility criteria continue to be in effect, irrespective of the attempts made or not made. No candidate is allowed to appear for the examination beyond the upper age limit set by the UPSC.
Additional Resources:
- Understanding the Age Limit and Number of Attempts for UPSC Exam
- The EWS Certificate and its Role in UPSC Exams
- Detailed Explanation of the IAS Eligibility Criteria
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