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UPSC Cutoff: They Set the Bar, Aspirants Beat It to Success

  • Based on the number of candidates and toughness of question paper UPSC sets the Cutoff limits. 
  • A general idea of this data can help in preparation strategy for UPSC CSE.  

Dedication & perseverance of an UPSC aspirant have to meet the UPSC Cut Off bar, per the competition this bar is raised every year. These marks are the line between success and failure for Civil Service aspirants. Every year the Union Public Service Commission releases the Cutoff mark lists for different categories. 

Securing minimum qualifying marks in preliminary and mains examinations are essential to get to the next level. Even though these marks are changed every year. But a knowhow of previous years cutoff marks can give a general idea for preparation strategy. 

UPSC Cutoff Prelims: Data Over the Years

The table comprises cutoff data from 2005 to 2022, & help in providing a general idea to an aspirant to understand the minimum requirements. Having such an idea could be imperative in devising the optimal preparation strategy. 

Year

Cut-Off Marks

Percentage

2005

284/450

63.11

2006

282/450

62.66

2007

256/450

56.88

2008

244/450

54.22

2009

250/450

55.55

2010

248/450

55.11

2011

198/400

49.5

2012

209/400

52.25

2013

241/400

60.25

2014

205/400

51.25

2015

107.34/400

53.67

2016

116.00/200

58.00

2017

105.34/200

52.67

2018

98/200

49.00

2019

98/200

49.00

2020

92.5/200

46.61

2021

87.54/200

43.77

2022

88.22/200

44.11

UPSC Cutoff Mains: Data Over the Years

The qualifying candidates of the UPSC Preliminary examination are eligible to appear for the UPSC Mains. Here is the cutoff list for the examination providing a general idea of the efforts required. 

Years

Cut-Off Marks

Percentage

2005

986/2000

49.3

2006

975/2000

48.75

2007

1005/2000

50.25

2008

954/2000

47.7

2009

899/2000

44.95

2010

904/2000

45.2

2011

842/2000

42.1

2012

700/2000

35

2013

562/1750

32.1

2014

678/1750

38.74

2015

676/1750

38.62

2016

787/1750

44.97

2017

809/1750

46.22

2018

774/1750

44.22

2019

751/1750

42.91

2020

736/1750

42.05

2021

745/1750

42.57

2022

748/1750

42.74

UPSC Cut Off for Mains+Interview: Data Over the Years

It is known that the final cutoff marks is an addition of marks obtained in Mains and Personality test (Interview). A candidate has to perform exceptionally in both in order to get selected. This data might give a heads up for the preparatory requirements. 

Year

Cut-Off Marks

Mains + Interview Percentage

2005

1203/2300

52.3

2006

1179/2300

51.26

2007

1210/2300

52.6

2008

1161/2300

50.47

2009

1127/2300

49

2010

1134/2300

49.3

2011

1090/2300

47.39

2012

936/2300

40.69

2013

775/2025

38.27

2014

889/2025

43.90

2015

877/2025

43.30

2016

988/2025

48.79

2017

1006/2025

49.67

2018

982/2025

48.49

2019

961/2025

47.45

2020

944/2025

46.61

2021

953/2025

47.06

2022

960/2025

47.4

Until now the overview of cutoff has been provided providing a birds eye view. But an aspirant has to be strategic and must understand the importance of scoring in individual subjects and papers. It is the only process by which the aforementioned target can be achieved. 

UPSC Cut Off Prelims: Detailed Subject Wise data 2022-2023

Aspirants appearing for 2023-2024 year or 2024-2025 year, must have an idea about the subject wise cutoff for prelims examination. It will provide them with a minimum bar that has to be reached to qualify. 

Category Wise UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2022- 2023

Category

UPSC Cutoff

General

88.22

EWS

82.83

OBC

87.54

SC

74.08

ST

69.35

PwBD-I

49.84

PwBD-II

58.59

PwBD-III

40.40

PwBD – V

41.76

Category Wise UPSC Mains Cut-Off 2022-2023

Category

UPSC Cutoff

General

748

EWS

715

OBC

714

SC

699

ST

706

PwBD-I

677

PwBD-II

706

PwBD-III

351

PwBD – V

419

UPSC Final Cut-Off 2022-2023

Category

UPSC Cutoff

General

960

EWS

926

OBC

923

SC

893

ST

900

PwBD-I

879

PwBD-II

913

PwBD-III

632

PwBD – V

590

Here is the data of the cutoff marks for the Union Public Service Commission Civil Service Examination (UPSC CSE) for the year 2022 2023.