UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Cut-Off Marks
Official UPSC CSE qualifying cut-off marks are published by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) across General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories. Clearing the Prelims/Tier 1 benchmark requires scoring approximately 45%–55% of the total Prelims: 400 | Mains + Interview: 2025, evaluated after negative marking (1/3rd (0.33%) deduction per wrong answer in Prelims GS 1 & CSAT).
UPSC CSE Category-Wise Cut-Off Matrix
Official scores published by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
2024 - Prelims (Paper 1)
Total: 200| Category | Official Cut-Off Score | Qualifying Remarks / Context |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 75.41 | Official UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims minimum qualifying mark |
| EWS | 68.02 | Minimum qualifying score in CSAT Paper 2 was 33% (66.00) |
| OBC | 74.75 | OBC Non-Creamy Layer qualifying score |
| SC | 59.25 | Scheduled Caste qualifying cutoff |
| ST | 47.82 | Scheduled Tribe qualifying cutoff |
| General (UR) | 75.41 | Official UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims minimum qualifying mark |
| EWS | 68.02 | Minimum qualifying score in CSAT Paper 2 was 33% (66.00) |
| OBC | 74.75 | OBC Non-Creamy Layer qualifying score |
| SC | 59.25 | Scheduled Caste qualifying cutoff |
| ST | 47.82 | Scheduled Tribe qualifying cutoff |
2024 - Mains Written
Total: 1750| Category | Official Cut-Off Score | Qualifying Remarks / Context |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 729 | Sum of 7 merit-counted papers in Mains |
| EWS | 699 | EWS qualifying for Personality Test |
| OBC | 707 | OBC qualifying for Personality Test |
| SC | 683 | SC qualifying for Personality Test |
| ST | 661 | ST qualifying for Personality Test |
| General (UR) | 729 | Sum of 7 merit-counted papers in Mains |
| EWS | 699 | EWS qualifying for Personality Test |
| OBC | 707 | OBC qualifying for Personality Test |
| SC | 683 | SC qualifying for Personality Test |
| ST | 661 | ST qualifying for Personality Test |
2024 - Final Recommended
Total: 2025| Category | Official Cut-Off Score | Qualifying Remarks / Context |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 953 | Final cutoff for service allocation (Mains + Interview) |
| EWS | 923 | Final allocated EWS score |
| OBC | 919 | Final allocated OBC score |
| SC | 890 | Final allocated SC score |
| ST | 891 | Final allocated ST score |
| General (UR) | 953 | Final cutoff for service allocation (Mains + Interview) |
| EWS | 923 | Final allocated EWS score |
| OBC | 919 | Final allocated OBC score |
| SC | 890 | Final allocated SC score |
| ST | 891 | Final allocated ST score |
2023 - Prelims (Paper 1)
Total: 200| Category | Official Cut-Off Score | Qualifying Remarks / Context |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 75.41 | Historical benchmark for 2023 CSAT screening |
| EWS | 68.02 | EWS Prelims cutoff |
| OBC | 74.75 | OBC Prelims cutoff |
| SC | 59.25 | SC Prelims cutoff |
| ST | 47.82 | ST Prelims cutoff |
| General (UR) | 75.41 | Historical benchmark for 2023 CSAT screening |
| EWS | 68.02 | EWS Prelims cutoff |
| OBC | 74.75 | OBC Prelims cutoff |
| SC | 59.25 | SC Prelims cutoff |
| ST | 47.82 | ST Prelims cutoff |
2023 - Mains Written
Total: 1750| Category | Official Cut-Off Score | Qualifying Remarks / Context |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 741 | Mains 2023 written threshold |
| General (UR) | 741 | Mains 2023 written threshold |
2023 - Final Recommended
Total: 2025| Category | Official Cut-Off Score | Qualifying Remarks / Context |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 959 | Final 2023 service allocation score |
| General (UR) | 959 | Final 2023 service allocation score |
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4 Factors That Determine UPSC CSE Cut-Offs
Total Vacancies Notified
An increase in vacancies directly lowers the qualifying cut-off multiplier, whereas a reduction intensifies competition.
Difficulty of Question Paper
A tougher question paper lowers raw qualifying marks. Multi-shift examinations apply mathematical normalization to maintain parity.
Applicant Volume
Rising registration numbers across India elevate competition density, especially within the General, OBC, and EWS tiers.
Reservation Norms
Central/State statutory quotas (OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, PwD) govern the distribution of qualifying thresholds across all stages.
Recommended Safe Target Score for 2026/2027
Based on 5-year statistical cut-off fluctuations, our academic faculty recommends aiming for +10% to +15% above the previous year's threshold to guarantee a comfortable selection margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the previous year cut-off for UPSC CSE (General / UR Category)?
For UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), the qualifying score benchmark varies by exam stage. In recent cycles, candidates in the General (UR) category required roughly 45% to 55% of the total maximum marks to qualify for the next stage or final merit list.
How much concession is given to OBC, SC, ST, and EWS candidates in UPSC CSE cutoffs?
Cut-offs for OBC and EWS categories typically track within 2% to 6% of the General merit list, while SC and ST cutoffs typically range 12% to 25% lower, subject to government reservation guidelines and category-wise seat distribution.
What factors cause fluctuations in UPSC CSE cut-off scores each year?
Cut-offs fluctuate primarily based on three key factors: (1) Total vacancies officially notified by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), (2) Difficulty level and shift normalization of question papers, and (3) The total number of candidates appearing for the examination.
Where can I predict my rank and qualifying probability for UPSC CSE?
You can calculate your estimated percentile, category qualifying probability, and college/service allocation using the TargetClasses Rank & Cut-off Predictor, or consult our academic counselors at +91 63528 74776.
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