Learn everything about UPSC total marks 2025, including Prelims, Mains, and Interview marks. Understand the marking scheme, cut off, and optional marks to ace the UPSC exam.
theIAShub | 07 Mar, 2025 | 768 | 0
UPSC Total Marks are the cumulative marks of the mains and interview stages of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. Understanding the UPSC total marks and the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation.
In this article, we will break down the UPSC total marks for Prelims, Mains, and Interviews, along with other important details like UPSC cut-off marks, UPSC optional marks, and more.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Each stage has a different exam format, marking system, and role in the final selection process. The UPSC exam is conducted in three stages:
Each stage has its own marking scheme, and candidates must clear each stage to move to the next. The UPSC total marks for the entire exam are 2025 marks. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies and CSAT. Each paper is allotted 200 marks, with a total of 400 marks for both. The duration for each paper is 2 hours, and negative marking is applied for incorrect answers.
The UPSC Prelims consists of two papers: General Studies Paper-I (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper-II.
| Paper | General Studies Paper 1 | CSAT |
| Type of Paper | Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) | Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Total Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Number of Questions | 100 | 80 |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Negative Marking | 0.66 marks for each wrong answer | 0.83 marks for each wrong answer |
The Prelims are designed to test candidates’ basic knowledge of current affairs, general studies, and their aptitude. It is essential to note that candidates must clear both papers independently to proceed to the Mains.
The UPSC Mains is a descriptive exam consisting of nine papers. These papers test a candidate’s in-depth knowledge and writing skills. The exam pattern for Mains is as follows:
| UPSC Exam Pattern 2025 Mains | |||
| Paper | Name of Paper | Time Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Qualifying Papers | |||
| Paper A | Indian Language | 3 Hours | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 3 Hours | 300 |
| Merit Papers | |||
| Paper I | Essay | 3 Hours | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies-I | 3 Hours | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies -II | 3 Hours | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies -III | 3 Hours | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies -IV | 3 Hours | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Paper 1 | 3 Hours | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Paper 2 | 3 Hours | 250 |
| Total | 1750 Marks | ||
The UPSC Interview is the final stage of the Civil Services Examination. It is commonly referred to as the Personality Test, where the candidate’s overall personality is assessed. It has Total 275 mar
The UPSC total marks are calculated by adding the Mains and Interview marks:
The Prelims marks are not added to the final score. They are only used to shortlist candidates for the Mains.
The UPSC cut off marks vary every year depending on factors like the difficulty level of the exam and the number of vacancies. To clear the exam, candidates must score above the cutoff in both Prelims and Mains. The final cutoff is based on the UPSC total marks (Mains + Interview).
The UPSC Prelims cut-off varies each year based on factors like the number of vacancies and exam difficulty. It is released after the exam and helps candidates understand the minimum marks needed to qualify for Mains:
| Category | Cut-Off Marks |
| General | 88-95 |
| OBC | 85-90 |
| SC | 75-80 |
| ST | 70-75 |
The UPSC Mains cut-off is the minimum score required to qualify for the Interview stage. It depends on factors like exam difficulty, number of candidates, and overall performance in the Mains exam.
| Category | Cut-Off Marks (Out of 1750) |
| General | 750-780 |
| OBC | 710-740 |
| SC | 650-680 |
| ST | 640-670 |
UPSC Final Cut-Off is the minimum combined score of Mains and Interview required for selection. It determines the final merit list and varies based on category and overall competition.
| Category | Cut-Off Marks (Out of 2025) |
| General | 950-1020 |
| OBC | 910-970 |
| SC | 850-900 |
| ST | 820-870 |
The final merit list is based on UPSC Mains total marks (1750) + UPSC Interview marks (275). Candidates scoring above the cutoff secure a place in the Civil Services.
Here is a detailed analysis of the Negative Marking of each stage of the UPSC Exam.
| Stage | Paper | Negative Marking |
| Prelims | Paper I (General Studies) | 0.66 marks deducted per wrong answer |
| Paper II (CSAT) | 0.83 marks deducted per wrong answer | |
| Mains | All Papers | No negative marking |
| Interview | Personality Test | No marks are deducted, but performance impacts the final score |
Understanding the UPSC total marks and the exam pattern is the first step toward effective preparation. The exam is divided into three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview, with a total of 2025 marks. Focus on each stage, especially the UPSC Mains total marks and UPSC optional marks, as they play a crucial role in the final selection. With consistent effort and the right strategy, you can crack the UPSC exam and achieve your dream of becoming a civil servant.
Explore IAS Hub Courses for the upcoming UPSC Prelims 2025 and Mains Exam.
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| UPSC Exam | UPSC Application Form |
| UPSC Exam Pattern | UPSC OTR 2025 |
The UPSC Prelims total marks are 400 marks (200 marks for GS and 200 marks for CSAT).
No, Prelims marks are only used to shortlist candidates for the Mains. They are not added to the final score.
The UPSC optional marks are 500 marks (250 marks for each optional paper) and contribute significantly to the final score.
The UPSC cut off marks are determined based on factors like the difficulty level of the exam, number of vacancies, and candidates’ performance.
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