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Posted on 28 Feb 2025
UPSC examinations remain one of the toughest and most prestigious competitive exams in India. One of the key indicators for aspirants is the cut-off marks, which provide insight into the exam's difficulty and the level of competition. In this blog, we analyze the trends in UPSC Prelims, Mains, and Final cut-offs from previous years, helping you gauge expectations and fine-tune your preparation strategy.
According to previous years' data, the cut-off marks for UPSC Prelims have shown a steady decrease across all categories. This trend highlights not only the increasing competition but also changes in the exam pattern over the years. Below is a table summarizing the category-wise cut-offs from 2018 to 2023:
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 98 | 98 | 92.51 | 87.54 | 88.22 | 75.41 |
| EWS | - | 90 | 77.55 | 80.14 | 82.83 | 68.02 |
| OBC | 96.66 | 95.34 | 89.12 | 89.12 | 87.54 | 74.75 |
| SC | 84 | 82 | 74.84 | 75.41 | 74.08 | 59.25 |
| ST | 83.34 | 77.34 | 68.71 | 70.71 | 69.35 | 47.82 |
| PWD 1 | 73.34 | 53.34 | 70.06 | 68.02 | 49.84 | 40.40 |
| PWD 2 | 53.34 | 44.66 | 63.94 | 67.33 | 58.59 | 47.13 |
| PWD 3 | 40.00 | 61.34 | 40.82 | 43.09 | 40.40 | 40.40 |
| PWD 5 | 45.34 | 61.34 | 42.86 | 45.80 | 41.76 | 33.68 |
The UPSC Mains exam consists of 9 question papers – 7 of which contribute to the overall merit ranking, while the remaining 2 are qualifying in nature. The total marks for the mains exam (excluding qualifying papers) are 1750. Below is a summary of the cut-off marks for the Mains exam from 2019 to 2023:
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 751 | 736 | 745 | 748 | 741 |
| OBC | 718 | 736 | 707 | 714 | 712 |
| ST | 699 | 682 | 700 | 706 | 692 |
| SC | 706 | 680 | 700 | 699 | 694 |
| PWD 1 | 663 | 648 | 688 | 677 | 673 |
| PWD 2 | 698 | 699 | 712 | 706 | 718 |
| PWD 3 | 374 | 425 | 388 | 351 | 396 |
| PWD 5 | 561 | 300 | 560 | 419 | 445 |
| EWS | 696 | 687 | 713 | 715 | 706 |
The final merit for UPSC candidates is determined by adding the marks of the Mains exam (1750 marks) and the Interview (275 marks), resulting in a total of 2025 marks. The following table displays the final cut-offs from 2019 to 2023:
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 961 | 944 | 953 | 960 | 953 |
| Other Backward Classes | 925 | 907 | 910 | 923 | 919 |
| SC | 898 | 875 | 886 | 893 | 890 |
| ST | 893 | 876 | 883 | 900 | 891 |
| PWD 1 | 861 | 867 | 892 | 879 | 894 |
| PWD 2 | 890 | 910 | 932 | 913 | 930 |
| PWD 3 | 653 | 675 | 689 | 632 | 756 |
| PWD 5 | 708 | 465 | 701 | 590 | 589 |
| EWS | 909 | 894 | 916 | 926 | 923 |
The trend in UPSC exam cut-offs provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the examination process. With UPSC Prelims cut-offs consistently showing a downward trend, it reflects both the increasing competition and adjustments in the exam pattern. Meanwhile, the Mains and Final cut-offs, although relatively stable, serve as crucial benchmarks for aspirants aiming for a successful career in civil services.
For every aspirant, these insights can help in setting realistic targets and shaping a focused preparation strategy. Use this data as a tool to evaluate your current standing and to refine your study plans. With dedication, smart planning, and the right resources—such as those available on DreamTyari—your dream of joining the civil services can become a reality.