The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Prelims is the first stage in this whole cycle of the UPSC selection process. Let us understand the qualifying marks for UPSC Prelims required to pass this exam in simple terms.

What is the UPSC Prelims Exam?

The Prelims is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination. It is like a filter that selects candidates who can move to the next stage, the main examination. The Prelims has two papers and both papers have different qualifying Marks for the UPSC Prelims examination.

Qualifying Marks for UPSC Prelims papers

As mentioned above the UPSC has Qualifying Marks for UPSC Prelims paper 1 and paper 2 (CSAT). The Qualifying Marks for UPSC Prelims Paper I are decided by the UPSC prelims cut-off marks released by the UPSC.

• CSAT (General Studies Paper II):

  • To pass this paper, the candidate needs to score 33% marks which is also the minimum qualifying mark of the UPSC CSAT paper. This means out of 200 marks, you should score at least 66 marks. These are the UPSC Prelims CSAT qualifying marks.

• General Studies Paper I:

  • The cut-off marks for this paper change every year. These marks depend on how many candidates appear, the number of vacancies, and how difficult the paper is. These are the UPSC Prelims cut-off marks.

Category-Wise Qualifying Marks for UPSC Prelims

The qualifying marks for UPSC Prelims depend on the category of the candidate. General category cut-offs are higher, while OBC, SC, and ST candidates benefit from relaxed criteria. UPSC releases the cut-off for different categories.

• General Category: Higher cut-off marks, referred to as the UPSC Prelims general category cut-off.

• OBC, SC, ST Categories: Lower cut-offs because of relaxation given by the government. This is often called the UPSC Prelims cut-off for the OBC, SC, and ST categories.

Let us see the last few years’ qualified marks for the UPSC prelims exam.

How UPSC Prelims Results Are Declared

The qualifying marks for UPSC Prelims play a key role in determining results. Candidates must pass CSAT and meet the General Studies Paper I cut-off to qualify for the Mains. After the exam, the UPSC announces a list of candidates who qualify for the Mains. To qualify:

• You must pass the CSAT paper by scoring at least 33%. This is a crucial part of the UPSC Prelims qualifying criteria.
• Your marks in General Studies Paper I must be equal to or higher than the cut-off. This includes category-specific criteria like UPSC Prelims and category-wise qualifying marks.

What affects the Qualifying Marks for UPSC Prelims?

Several factors determine the cut-off marks for General Studies Paper I:

• Number of Vacancies: If there are more jobs, the cut-off might be lower.
• Performance of Candidates: If most people do well, the cut-off goes up.
• Paper Difficulty: If the paper is tough, the cut-off will be lower. This explains the UPSC Prelims cut-off trends.

How to Prepare to Qualify for the UPSC Prelims Examination?

Here are some tips to help you clear the Prelims:

• Balance Preparation: Focus on both papers. Don’t ignore CSAT, as it requires meeting the UPSC Prelims minimum qualifying marks.
• Practice Regularly: Solve past question papers and take mock tests to understand the UPSC Prelims GS qualifying marks.
• Manage Time: Learn to answer questions within the time limit.
• Stay Consistent: Study a little every day instead of cramming at the last minute.

Qualifying Marks for UPSC Prelims FAQs