So an older ipad with IOS 9.3.5 can't be updated ?

No.

These iOS device models will be 9 and 10-years old this year, in 2021.

They have been long unsupported and are pretty much obsolete devices.

Their internal hardware is far too old to support newer, more advanced and more powerful versions of iOS ( now iPadOS ).

Technology moves on and never lasts forever.

Third party app developers abandoned these devices nearly 3 years, ago.

In addition, depending on the iPad year and model runnng iOS 9, it cannot be runnng all that well on iOS 9.

It is really time to consider a new or “newer” refurbished or used iPad model, like a 2017 5th gen iPad, or later, that supports the latest iPadOS 14 and current apps.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

Correct, you iPad cannot be updated to later major versions of iOS.

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).

Apple ended update support for these models in September 2016. Your iPad cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later major versions of iOS, as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements for new versions of iOS/iPadOS. This limitation cannot be bypassed; these are 32-bit architecture devices, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 are obsolete.

You may wish to consider that compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as third-party developers are increasingly dropping support for older versions of iOS preceding iOS11/12/13. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them - which may severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.

Of current models, even the entry-level iPad8 has specifications and capabilities that will massively outperform you current iPad - and is compatible with the vast majority of current Apps. Other models are more powerful still.

I hope this information provides helpful and succinct clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your current iPad.