UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Preliminary Examination, popularly known as UPSC Prelims, is the first step in the Civil Services Examination. Understanding the UPSC Prelims total marks and its marking scheme is important for aspirants to prepare effectively.

The UPSC Prelims total marks system is straightforward but demands careful planning and focused preparation. With 400 marks at stake, a clear understanding of the marking scheme, syllabus, and strategy is essential. 

What is the UPSC Prelims Exam?

The UPSC Prelim total marks consist of a combination of total marks of UPSC General Studies Paper 1 and General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) both are two objective-type papers.  It tests candidates on diverse topics and skills, ensuring only the best progress to the next stage of the Civil Services Examination.

Key Details of the UPSC Prelims Exam

The UPSC Prelims Exam, with UPSC Prelims total marks of 400, consists of two papers i.e. General Studies Paper I (GS Paper I) which assesses knowledge across various subjects. General Studies Paper II (CSAT which evaluates aptitude, comprehension, and reasoning abilities. Candidates must qualify in the Prelims, which has UPSC Prelims total marks of 400, to advance to the Mains stage.

UPSC Prelims Total Marks Overview

Understanding the UPSC Prelims total marks is vital for proper preparation and targeting the UPSC Prelims Examination.

Breakdown of UPSC Prelims Total Marks:

The UPSC Prelims consist of 400 marks.

Marking Scheme in UPSC Prelims

The marking scheme plays a vital role in determining a candidate’s success, to do that candidates have to understand the UPSC Prelims total marks.

Qualifying Marks out of UPSC Prelims Total Marks

To advance to the next stage, candidates must meet specific qualifying criteria:

• General Studies Paper I: The cut-off marks are decided by UPSC each year based on various factors like the number of vacancies and the difficulty level of the paper.

• CSAT: A minimum of 33% (66 out of 200 marks) is required to qualify.

UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trends:

Understanding past cut-off marks helps in setting realistic goals. Here’s a look at recent trends for General Studies Paper I:

• UPSC Prelims Cut off 2023: 75.41

• UPSC Prelims Cut off 2022: 88.22

• UPSC Prelims Cut off 2021: 87.54

• UPSC Prelims Cut off 2020: 92.51

These figures indicate the competitive nature of the exam.

Do UPSC Prelims total Marks count in Final Marks?

The marks of the candidates scored out of UPSC Prelims total marks are considered for evaluation for determining the cut-off marks and clearing the prelims and these marks further will not be considered in the main examination.

Topics which are attributed to UPSC Prelims Total Marks (GS Paper I)

The GS Paper I of UPSC Prelims covers a wide range of topics to assess the candidate’s knowledge and these topics are:

• History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India.

• Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.

• Polity: Constitution, Political System, and Governance.

• Economy: Indian Economy, Budget, and Economic Development.

• Environment: Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Conservation.

• Science & Technology: Current developments and basic concepts.

• Current Affairs: Events of national and international importance.

Topics that are attributed to UPSC Prelims Total Marks (CSAT)

The GS Paper II of UPSC Prelims covers a wide range of topics to assess the candidate’s knowledge and these topics are:

• Comprehension: Reading and understanding passages.

• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability.

• Quantitative Aptitude: Basic numeracy up to Class 10 level.

• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving.

How to Calculate Marks in UPSC Prelims

To evaluate performance, candidates must understand how to calculate their marks accurately:

• For Correct Answers:

• For Wrong Answers:
• Final Score: Correct Answer – Wrong answer (negative marking) = Final Score out of UPSC Prelims total marks

Key Points to Remember About UPSC Prelims Total Marks:

• Only GS Paper I is used to determine merit: CSAT is a qualifying paper and is not counted in the cut-off.

• Negative marking can significantly impact your score: Avoid guesswork if unsure of the answer.
• Equal weightage for all questions: Prioritize accuracy over attempting more questions.

How to Prepare Effectively for UPSC Prelims

Preparing strategically ensures success in the UPSC Prelims and can fetch good marks out of UPSC Prelims total marks.

• Focus on Syllabus and Previous Papers:

• • Understand the syllabus thoroughly.
  • Solve past question papers to get a sense of the pattern.
• Time Management:
  • Allocate time wisely to cover all topics.
  • Practice mock tests under timed conditions.
• Strengthen Basics:
  • NCERT books are a must for foundational knowledge.
  • Refer to standard books for advanced concepts.
• Current Affairs:
  • Read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express.
  • Follow monthly current affairs compilations.
• Practice for CSAT:
  • Solve basic mathematics and reasoning questions.
  • Practice reading comprehension for accuracy and speed.

Why Understanding UPSC Prelims Total Marks is Important

A clear understanding of the UPSC Prelims total marks provides several benefits:

• Strategic Preparation: Knowing the total marks helps allocate preparation time effectively.

• Focus Areas: Concentrating on high-weightage topics can boost scores.

• Avoid Pitfalls: Awareness of negative marking reduces careless mistakes.

• Realistic Goals: Past cut-off trends guide aspirants to set achievable targets.

UPSC Prelims Total Marks FAQs