The UPSC Prelims Cut Off analysis over the years reveals a decreasing trend in the cut-off marks. Specifically, the analysis for the past 10 years has been conducted to observe evolving patterns at this stage.
In this article, we will look into the UPSC prelims cut-off trends from the previous 10 years. Furthermore, understanding the previous year’s UPSC cutoffs will aid in the assessment of mock tests. Additionally, it will help you strategize your preparation in alignment with the current cutoff trends.
Why the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trends Matter?
While the UPSC Prelims are only a qualifying stage, the cut-off holds critical significance. Firstly, it is the threshold score that a candidate must clear in General Studies Paper I. In contrast, Paper II (CSAT) only requires 33% to qualify.
Knowing the cut-off helps aspirants in several ways. To begin with, it allows them to assess their performance realistically. Additionally, it enables them to make informed decisions about their Mains preparation. Moreover, it helps them avoid unnecessary anxiety during the wait for results.
For future aspirants, understanding past cut-off trends is essential. It helps gauge the level of preparation needed to remain competitive in the exam.
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Last 10 Years UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trends: (2014-2024)
The UPSC Prelims Cut Off for the last 10 years shows a notable trend. It shows that the exam level has been increasing over the years. Additionally, the difficulty level of the CSAT has been increasing. As a result, it is once again becoming a decisive factor. This shift is reminiscent of the period before 2014, when both the GS and CSAT papers were considered in determining the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off.
To illustrate this trend, the analysis of the last 10 years of UPSC Prelims Cut Off is presented below:
| Year | Cut Off |
| 2014 | 205 (Out of 400) |
| 2015 | 107.34 |
| 2016 | 116 |
| 2017 | 105.34 |
| 2018 | 98 |
| 2019 | 98 |
| 2020 | 92.5 |
| 2021 | 87.5 |
| 2022 | 88.2 |
| 2023 | 75.41 |
| 2024 | 87.98 |
The analysis of UPSC Prelims Cut-Off trends from 2013 shows changing difficulty levels. Until 2014, the cutoff was based on 400 marks, but it now considers only 200 marks from the General Studies paper l.
Recently, the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) has significantly influenced the low cutoffs, as seen in 2023. The category-wise analysis of UPSC Prelims Cut-Off trend from 2018-2024 is provided below for candidates:
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1. UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trends Analysis: 2024
The UPSC Prelims Cut-Off for 2024 was recently released on the official website. The cutoff marks for the Prelims exam stand at 87.98 for the general category. Notably, this figure is higher than the cutoff for 2023. However, it still remains under 90 marks. Additionally, here is the category-wise UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Analysis for 2024:
| UPSC Prelims CutOff 2024 | |
| Category | Cut off Marks |
| General | 87.98 |
| EWS | 85.92 |
| OBC | 87.28 |
| SC | 79.03 |
| ST | 74.23 |
| PwBD 1 | 69.42 |
| PwBD 2 | 65.3 |
| PwBD 3 | 40.56 |
| PwBD 5 | 40.56 |
2. UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trend Analysis: 2023
The UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2023 saw a significant dip across all categories compared to previous years. As a result, the cut-off figures this year are notably lower. Specifically, the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2023 for General Categories is widely accepted as the cutoff criteria for this particular year. Furthermore, the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off for 2023 is presented below:
| UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Analysis 2023 | |
| Category | Cut Off Marks |
| General | 75.41 |
| EWS | 68.02 |
| OBC | 74.75 |
| SC | 59.25 |
| ST | 47.82 |
| PwBD 1 | 40.40 |
| PwBD 2 | 47.13 |
| PwBD 3 | 40.40 |
| PwBD 5 | 33.68 |
3. UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trend Analysis: 2022
The 2022 question paper was difficult. However, the factor of randomness in the questions was less significant. Additionally, vacancies were comparatively more than in 2021. This is why the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off for 2022 was 88.22. For comparison purposes, the category-wise UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2022 is provided below:
| UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Analysis 2022 | |
| Category | Cut off Marks |
| General | 88.22 |
| EWS | 82.83 |
| OBC | 87.54 |
| SC | 74.08 |
| ST | 69.35 |
| PwBD 1 | 49.84 |
| PwBD 2 | 58.59 |
| PwBD 3 | 40.40 |
| PwBD 5 | 41.76 |
4. UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trend Analysis: 2021
In 2021, the UPSC Prelims Cutoff fell below 90 marks for the first time. This was a significant change compared to previous years. Specifically, the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2021 was 87.54 marks for the general category. Moreover, it was below 70 marks for the SC and ST categories. To understand the differences more clearly, refer to the category-wise UPSC 2021 Prelims Cut Off below:
| UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Analysis 2021 | |
| Category | Cut off Marks |
| General | 87.54 |
| EWS | 80.14 |
| OBC | 84.85 |
| SC | 75.41 |
| ST | 70.71 |
| PwBD 1 | 68.02 |
| PwBD 2 | 67.33 |
| PwBD 3 | 43.09 |
| PwBD 5 | 45.80 |
5. UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trend Analysis: 2020
UPSC is known for its difficult examination papers. Furthermore, the level of difficulty only increases each year. This statement holds true for the year 2020 as well. During that year, the cut-off marks stood at 92.51 for general categories. Interestingly, this was considered the lowest cut-off in history at that time. However, in 2023, the cut-off dropped below 90 marks. As a result, the trend of increasing difficulty seems to have taken a new turn. The official UPSC Prelims Cut-Off for 2020 is presented below:
| UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Analysis 2020 | |
| Category | Cut off Marks |
| General | 92.51 |
| EWS | 77.55 |
| OBC | 89.12 |
| SC | 68.71 |
| ST | 74.84 |
| PwBD 1 | 70.06 |
| PwBD 2 | 63.94 |
| PwBD 3 | 40.82 |
| PwBD 5 | 42.86 |
5. UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trend Analysis: 2019
In 2019, the question paper was lengthy. However, the cutoff remained the same as it was in 2018. For the general categories, the UPSC preliminary exam cutoff for 2019 was set at 98 marks. Additionally, this year saw the introduction of a new category: EWS. For this category, the cutoff marks were 90. Interestingly, this was less than the OBC cutoff, which stood at 95.34 that year. The analysis of the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2019 is provided below:
| UPSC Prelims-Cut Off Analysis 2019 | |
| Category | Cut off Marks |
| General | 98 |
| EWS | 90 |
| OBC | 95.34 |
| SC | 82 |
| ST | 77.34 |
| PwBD 1 | 53.34 |
| PwBD 2 | 44.66 |
| PwBD 3 | 40.66 |
| PwBD 5 | 61.34 |
6. UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Trend Analysis: 2018
The trend of UPSC Prelims cut-off scores falling below 100 marks began in 2018. At that time, the examination paper was more challenging. Furthermore, it offered less scope for traditional elimination techniques compared to previous years. As a result, the UPSC Prelims cut-off for 2018 was set at 98 for the general category. Additionally, there is no cut-off information available for the EWS category, as this category had not yet been introduced. To summarize, the UPSC Prelims-Cut Off Analysis for 2018 is provided below:
| UPSC Prelims Cut-Off Analysis 2018 | |
| Category | Cut off Marks |
| General | 98 |
| EWS | NA |
| OBC | 96.66 |
| SC | 84 |
| ST | 83.34 |
| PwBD 1 | 73.34 |
| PwBD 2 | 53.34 |
| PwBD 3 | 40 |
| PwBD 5 | 45.34 |
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Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding UPSC Prelims cut-off trends is important for aspirants. As we have seen, the cut-off fluctuates based on various factors. Therefore, analyzing past trends helps candidates strategize their preparation. Furthermore, it enables them to realistically gauge their performance.
In particular, the patterns from 2014 to 2024 highlight the increasing difficulty of the exam. Thus, staying informed about these changes is necessary for success. Ultimately, adapting to these trends can significantly improve candidates’ chances in this competitive landscape
Frequently Asked Questions:
The UPSC Prelims cut-off has generally fluctuated between moderate and high levels, influenced by paper difficulty, number of vacancies, and candidate performance, with no fixed or predictable pattern.
Key factors include the difficulty level of the GS Paper-I, changes in exam pattern, reservation policies, normalization of marks, and the total number of vacancies announced each year.
Studying previous cut-off trends helps aspirants set realistic score targets, refine exam strategy, and better understand the safe scoring range required to qualify for the next stage.
