UPSC Prelims 2025 Cut Off, Check Expected Cut Off Marks

UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off

The UPSC Prelims consists of two papers – General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). Only marks in GS Paper I count for the cut-off. Paper II CSAT is only qualifying, which needs a minimum of 33%. Following is the expected UPSC Prelims 2025 Cut Off based on expert opinion, exam difficulty over time, and previous trends:

Key Insights:

• The General category cut-off has ranged between approximately 75 to 92 marks out of 200.

• Reserved categories have a relatively lower cut-off, reflecting reservation norms.

• PwBD categories often have significantly lower cut-offs due to special provisions.

• The year 2024 saw a slightly higher cutoff for the General and OBC categories due to a moderately difficult paper.

Also Check: UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Analysis

Factors Influencing UPSC Cut Off Marks

Several factors impact the UPSC Cut Off Marks each year:

1. Exam Difficulty Level

• A tougher exam generally lowers cut off marks.

• Easier exams raise cut off due to higher average scores.

2. Number of Vacancies

• More vacancies generally result in lower cut offs.

• Fewer vacancies make cut offs more competitive.

3. Number of Candidates

• Higher competition usually leads to increased cut off.

• Fewer candidates can reduce cut off.

4. Reservation Policies

• Different cut offs for various categories ensure inclusivity.

• PwBD candidates have relaxed cut off norms.

5. Normalization Process

• UPSC uses a normalization process when multiple sets of question papers are used.

• This ensures fairness but can affect cut-offs marginally.

How to Use Cut-Off Trends for Preparation?

• Analyze previous years’ cut-offs to understand the level of preparation needed.

• Set realistic target marks according to category and expected competition.

• Focus on clearing the minimum cut-off first, then aim for higher marks.

• Time management and accuracy are key in Prelims to score above the cut-off.

• For Mains, a comprehensive understanding and answer writing practice help in crossing cut-off comfortably.

UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 with Detailed Explanation

Previous Year Cut Off Marks Trend: Last 5 Years

Here is a summary of the UPSC Prelims cut off trends from the last five years, including 2024. The cut-off marks will be different based on the difficulty of the exam, vacancy, and how the students performed overall that year. Overall, the General category will have cut-offs within the range of 75 to 98, and reserved categories will have a lower cut-off. The table below summarizes the cut-off marks for the different categories for 2019 to 2024, which is beneficial for aspirants to analyze and set expectations for the examination.