UPSC Prelims Cut off analysis of Last 5 Years Category-Wise

Know about UPSC Prelims Cut Off, including previous years' trends, category-wise analysis, and tie-breaking rules. Learn how cut-offs are determined, factors influencing them, and tips to strategize your preparation effectively.

UPSC Prelims Cut off is a very important criterion for candidates aiming to qualify for the prestigious Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

UPSC Prelims Cut off determines whether a candidate will proceed to the next stage of the examination—the UPSC Mains. This article gives a whole and comprehensive view of everything you need to know about the UPSC Prelims Cut-off, including trends, previous years’ data, and expectations for the future.

The UPSC Prelims Cut off plays a critical role in determining a candidate’s progress in the Civil Services Examination. Understanding the trends from the UPSC Prelims Cut off previous years, anticipating the UPSC Prelims Cut off 2024, and preparing effectively for the UPSC Prelims Cut off 2025 will help candidates stay ahead in the race.

What is the UPSC Prelims Cut off?

UPSC Prelims cut-off is the minimum score that candidates must secure in the UPSC Preliminary Exam to be eligible for the Mains exam. It is decided by the UPSC based on several factors, including the difficulty level of the paper, the number of candidates, and the total number of vacancies in the Civil Services.

How is UPSC Prelims Cut off Calculated?

The UPSC Prelims Cut off is calculated based on the total marks of two papers—General Studies Paper-I and the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Paper-II.

General Studies Paper-I is the key paper for deciding the cutoff.
CSAT Paper-II is qualifying. Candidates need to score at least 33% in CSAT to proceed to the next stage, but the marks obtained in CSAT are not included in the total cut off.

The UPSC Prelims Cut off is determined after considering the overall performance of candidates and the level of difficulty of the exam.

Factors Affecting the UPSC Prelims Cut off

There are several factors that play a role in deciding the UPSC Prelims Cut off each year. Due to this every year candidates witnessed varied UPSC Prelims Cut off for every year. These factors that affect UPSC Prelims Cut off include:

Number of Vacancies: A higher number of vacancies can lead to a slightly lower cutoff, as more candidates are selected.
Difficulty Level of the Exam: If the exam is perceived as more difficult, the cutoff may be lower. Conversely, if the exam is easier, the cutoff tends to rise.
Number of Candidates Appearing: If more candidates appear for the exam, the cutoff is likely to increase.
Reservation Policy: The cutoff can vary for different categories such as General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.

UPSC Prelims Cut off Last 5 Years Category-wise

Analyzing the UPSC Prelims Cut off from previous years is important to understand the trends and get an idea of what to expect. Looking at the past years’ cutoffs can help candidates gauge the possible range of the cut off for the upcoming exam.

Category	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
General	75.41	88.22	87.54	92.51	98
OBC	74.75	87.54	84.75	89.12	95.34
SC	59.25	74.08	75.41	74.84	82
ST	47.82	69.35	70.71	68.71	77.34

It is important to note that the UPSC Prelims Cut off fluctuates each year, and candidates need to aim for a higher score to increase their chances of selection.

UPSC Prelims Cut off 2024: What to Expect?

Since the UPSC Prelims has been declared the official UPSC Prelims Cut off will be declared by the UPSC after the final declaration of result. While predicting the UPSC Prelims Cut off 2024 can be tricky, certain trends can offer some insight.

Based on the exam’s difficulty level, the number of vacancies, and the previous years’ cutoffs, it is expected that the UPSC Prelims Cut off 2024 will be similar to that of previous years. However, if the exam becomes relatively easier or if the number of vacancies increases, there could be a decrease in the cutoff.

Candidates must keep in mind that their preparation strategy should aim for a score higher than the expected cutoff, as this will give them a buffer in case the exam is difficult.

UPSC Prelims Cut off 2025

Like the UPSC Prelims Cut off 2024 the UPSC Prelims Cut off 2025 will depend on several factors such as the exam’s difficulty level, changes in the reservation policy, and the overall performance of candidates. However, candidates can take note of the following tips to improve their chances of scoring higher:

Focus on Current Affairs: The General Studies paper is heavily influenced by current affairs. A solid understanding of the latest developments can make a big difference.
Revise Regularly: Regular revision helps in retaining information and improving accuracy in the exam.
Practice Mock Tests: Mock tests help familiarize candidates with the pattern and improve time management skills.
Balanced Preparation: Do not neglect any subject. A balanced preparation approach can help ensure that you are well-prepared for all areas.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Prelims Cut Off Data

From the above past year data of UPSC Prelims Cut Off, we can see that deciphering a few things and patterns can be very helpful for the candidates to structure their preparation and clear the UPSC prelims with flying colors. Key Takeaways for UPSC Prelims Cut Off Data are:

UPSC Prelims Cut off varies every year based on various factors.
Candidates must target a score higher than the cutoff to ensure they qualify for the next stage.
Analyzing UPSC Prelims Cut off previous years can help understand the trends and set realistic goals.
Preparation for the UPSC Prelims requires a thorough understanding of the syllabus and regular practice.