UPSC Exam Cut-Off 2023 Analysis & Insights

Know about the official UPSC Exam Cut Off 2023 for prelims, mains and final along with trends, category-wise analysis, factors affecting cut-offs, and expert tips to plan your strategy for the upcoming exams.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is one of the most competitive and significant exams for aspirants aiming to join India’s Civil Services. Among the critical factors determining a candidate’s success is the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2023. Understanding the cut-off marks helps aspirants analyze their performance and strategize for future attempts.

In this article, we delve into detailed insights regarding the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023, including trends, category-wise analysis, and the influencing factors.

What is the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off?

The UPSC Prelims Cut-Off refers to the minimum marks required by a candidate to qualify for the UPSC Mains Exam. It is determined by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) based on several factors, such as the number of vacancies, the number of candidates appearing, and the difficulty level of the examination.

The cut-off marks vary each year and are released category-wise (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). It includes only the marks of Paper 1 (General Studies) since Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 33% marks.

Key Highlights of UPSC Prelims Cut Off:

  1. Determined by UPSC: The Commission calculates the cut-off based on various criteria.
  2. Category-Wise: Different cut-off marks are set for categories such as General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS.
  3. GS Paper 1 Focus: Only the marks of GS Paper 1 are considered, while CSAT is qualifying in nature.

UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023

Understanding trends from previous years is essential for predicting the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2023. Aspirants can analyze patterns and prepare accordingly.

UPSC Prelims Cut Off Last 5 Years

Category 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
General 75.41 88.22 87.54 92.51 98
OBC 74.75 87.54 89.12 89.12 95.34
ST 47.82 69.35 70.71 68.71 77.34
SC 59.25 74.08 75.41 74.84 82
PWD 1 40.4 49.84 68.02 70.06 53.34
PWD 2 47.13 58.59 67.33 63.94 44.66
PWD 3 40.4 40.4 43.09 40.82 61.34
PWD 5 33.68 41.76 45.8 42.86 61.34
EWS 68.02 82.83 80.14 77.55 90

 UPSC Mains Cut-Off

Once candidates secure more than the UPSC Mains Cut-Off marks, they are considered eligible for the final round of the selection process, i.e. the Interview.

UPSC Mains consists of nine papers, out of which seven papers are considered for merit ranking. The remaining two papers, namely the English Language Paper and the Indian Language Paper, are of a qualifying nature. Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying mark in these language papers as prescribed by the UPSC.

UPSC Mains Cut Off for Previous 5 Years

Category 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
GENERAL 741 748 745 736 751
OBC 712 714 707 698 718
ST 692 706 700 682 699
SC 694 699 700 680 706
PWD 1 673 677 688 648 663
PWD 2 718 706 712 699 698
PWD 3 396 351 388 425 374
PWD 5 445 419 560 300 561
EWS 706 715 713 687 696

 UPSC Final Cut Off

The UPSC Final Cut Off marks are determined by amalgamating the scores obtained by candidates in the Mains Examination and the Personality Test (Interview) stage. The Mains Examination carries the weightage of seven papers, while the Interview stage contributes the remaining. Each candidate’s performance is evaluated, and the final cut-off is calculated based on their combined scores.

Aspirants who manage to surpass the UPSC Final Cut-Off marks are eligible for appointment to the various civil services based on their merit ranking. The allocation of services is done according to the candidate’s rank, preference, and availability of vacancies.

UPSC Final Cut Off for Last 5 Years

Category 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
General 953 960 953 944 961
OBC 919 923 910 907 925
SC 890 893 886 875 898
ST 891 900 883 876 893
PWD 1 894 879 892 867 861
PWD 2 930 913 932 910 890
PWD 3 756 632 689 675 653
PWD 5 589 590 701 465 708
EWS 923 926 916 894 909

 Category-Wise Analysis of UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023

General Category

The cut-off for the General category often reflects the exam’s overall difficulty. For 2023, it is anticipated to remain between 88 and 92 marks.

OBC Category

With similar trends to previous years, the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023 for OBC candidates is expected around 85–89 marks.

SC/ST Categories

Historically lower, the SC and ST cut-offs are projected to range between 70 and 78 marks for 2023.

EWS Category

The relatively new EWS category shows increasing competitiveness. Its cut-off is expected between 81 and 85 marks.

UPSC Prelims 2024 Expected Cutoff 

The UPSC Prelims 2024 Expected Cutoff is estimated based on the exam’s moderate difficulty level, trends from previous years, and expert analysis. The cutoff marks are critical for aspirants to evaluate their performance and strategize for the Mains preparation. Below is the expected category-wise cutoff for UPSC Prelims 2024:

Category Expected Cutoff Marks (2024)
General 90–95
EWS 80–85
OBC 85–90
SC 70–75
ST 65–70
PwBD-1 60–65
PwBD-2 60–65
PwBD-3 55–60
PwBD-5 50–55

These marks offer insights into the competitive threshold for this year and align with the overall difficulty level and exam dynamics.

How to Utilize the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023 for UPSC Exam Preparation?

Aspirants can strategically leverage the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023 data to enhance their preparation:

  1. Analyze Weak Areas
    Review performance in GS Paper 1 and focus on improving weaker sections.
  2. Set a Target Score
    Aim for at least 15–20 marks above the expected cut-off to secure a safe margin.
  3. Improve Time Management
    Efficient time allocation during the exam can boost scores.
  4. Practice Mock Tests
    Simulating exam conditions through mock tests provides a realistic preparation experience.
  5. Focus on High-Weightage Topics
    Subjects like Polity, Environment, and Current Affairs significantly impact the GS Paper 1 score.

Conclusion

The UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023 serves as a benchmark for aspirants aiming to progress to the Mains stage. By understanding the factors influencing the cut-off and preparing strategically, candidates can enhance their chances of success. Remember, consistent preparation and an adaptive approach are key to cracking the UPSC Prelims.

UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023 FAQs

The UPSC prelims cut off is calculated by normalizing the average score of candidates in GS 1 paper out of 200 marks.

No, the CSAT paper is qualifying in nature and requires a minimum score of 33%.

To check the official UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2023, visit the official website at upsc.gov.in, go to the "Examinations" section, and select "Cut-Off Marks" to access the PDF.

The UPSC 2023 final cut-off marks, which consider both the Mains and Personality Test results, are as follows: for the General category, the cut-off is 953, while for EWS it is 923, and for OBC it stands at 919. For SC candidates, it is 890, and for ST candidates, the cut-off is 891. Additionally, PwBD-1 candidates have a cut-off of 894, PwBD-2 stands at 930, PwBD-3 is 756, and PwBD-5 is 589​.

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