UPSC Previous Year Cut-Off Marks (2014–2024): 10-Year Category Breakdown & 2027 Safe Score Strategy
An exhaustive, data-driven analysis of official UPSC Civil Services Examination cut-off marks across Prelims (GS-1), Mains (1,750 Marks), and Final Recommended Ranks (2,025 Marks) for General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD categories.
Out of 200 Marks (CSAT 33% Qualifying)
Out of 1,750 Marks (7 Descriptive Papers)
Out of 2,025 Marks (Mains + 275M Interview)
Guaranteed All-India Rank 1 to 50
10-Year Cut-Off Analytics & CSE 2027 Safe Score Target Studio
| Year | Prelims (Gen) | Mains (Gen) | Final (Gen) | OBC (Prelims) | SC (Prelims) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87.98 | 729 | 947 | 87.28 | 79.03 |
| 2023 | 75.41 | 741 | 953 | 74.75 | 59.25 |
| 2022 | 88.22 | 748 | 960 | 87.54 | 74.08 |
| 2021 | 87.54 | 745 | 953 | 84.85 | 75.41 |
| 2020 | 92.51 | 736 | 944 | 89.12 | 74.84 |
| 2019 | 98.00 | 751 | 961 | 95.34 | 82.00 |
| 2018 | 98.00 | 774 | 982 | 96.66 | 84.00 |
| 2017 | 105.34 | 809 | 1006 | 102.66 | 88.66 |
| 2016 | 116.00 | 787 | 988 | 110.66 | 99.34 |
| 2015 | 107.34 | 676 | 877 | 106.00 | 94.00 |
1. UPSC CSE Prelims Cut-Off Marks: 10-Year Category-Wise Ledger (2015–2024)
Civil Services Preliminary Examination screening marks based exclusively on General Studies Paper-I (after CSAT qualifying filter):
| Year | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD-1 | PwBD-2 | PwBD-3 | PwBD-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87.98 | 85.92 | 87.28 | 79.03 | 74.23 | 68.21 | 59.40 | 40.00 | 41.50 |
| 2023 | 75.41 | 68.02 | 74.75 | 59.25 | 47.82 | 40.40 | 47.13 | 40.40 | 33.00 |
| 2022 | 88.22 | 82.83 | 87.54 | 74.08 | 69.35 | 49.84 | 58.59 | 40.40 | 41.76 |
| 2021 | 87.54 | 80.14 | 84.85 | 75.41 | 70.71 | 68.02 | 67.33 | 43.09 | 45.80 |
| 2020 | 92.51 | 77.55 | 89.12 | 74.84 | 68.71 | 70.06 | 63.94 | 40.82 | 42.86 |
| 2019 | 98.00 | 90.00 | 95.34 | 82.00 | 77.34 | 53.34 | 44.66 | 40.66 | 61.34 |
| 2018 | 98.00 | N/A* | 96.66 | 84.00 | 83.34 | 73.34 | 53.34 | 40.00 | 45.34 |
| 2017 | 105.34 | N/A* | 102.66 | 88.66 | 88.66 | 85.34 | 61.34 | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| 2016 | 116.00 | N/A* | 110.66 | 99.34 | 96.00 | 75.34 | 72.66 | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| 2015 | 107.34 | N/A* | 106.00 | 94.00 | 91.34 | 91.34 | 76.66 | 40.00 | 40.00 |
2. UPSC CSE Mains (Written) Cut-Off Marks: 10-Year Archive (2015–2024)
Minimum aggregate marks required in the 7 merit-based descriptive papers (subject to 10% sectional minimum) to qualify for the Personality Test:
| Year | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD-1 | PwBD-2 | PwBD-3 | PwBD-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 729 | 690 | 700 | 680 | 680 | 640 | 660 | 400 | 400 |
| 2023 | 741 | 706 | 712 | 694 | 692 | 673 | 718 | 396 | 445 |
| 2022 | 748 | 715 | 714 | 699 | 706 | 677 | 706 | 351 | 419 |
| 2021 | 745 | 689 | 707 | 700 | 700 | 668 | 712 | 388 | 560 |
| 2020 | 736 | 687 | 698 | 680 | 682 | 648 | 699 | 425 | 300 |
| 2019 | 751 | 696 | 718 | 706 | 699 | 663 | 698 | 374 | 561 |
| 2018 | 774 | N/A* | 732 | 719 | 719 | 711 | 696 | 520 | 460 |
| 2017 | 809 | N/A* | 770 | 756 | 749 | 734 | 745 | 578 | 400 |
| 2016 | 787 | N/A* | 745 | 739 | 730 | 713 | 740 | 545 | 400 |
| 2015 | 676 | N/A* | 630 | 622 | 617 | 580 | 627 | 504 | 400 |
3. UPSC CSE Final Recommended Cut-Off Marks (2015–2024)
Final marks obtained by the last recommended candidate in each category (Mains 1,750 + Interview 275):
| Year | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwBD-1 | PwBD-2 | PwBD-3 | PwBD-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 947 | 910 | 915 | 885 | 885 | 860 | 890 | 620 | 600 |
| 2023 | 953 | 923 | 919 | 890 | 891 | 894 | 930 | 756 | 589 |
| 2022 | 960 | 926 | 933 | 893 | 900 | 861 | 920 | 646 | 674 |
| 2021 | 953 | 916 | 919 | 893 | 893 | 892 | 932 | 689 | 701 |
| 2020 | 944 | 894 | 907 | 875 | 876 | 867 | 910 | 675 | 465 |
| 2019 | 961 | 909 | 925 | 898 | 893 | 861 | 890 | 653 | 708 |
| 2018 | 982 | N/A* | 938 | 912 | 912 | 899 | 908 | 754 | 718 |
| 2017 | 1006 | N/A* | 968 | 944 | 939 | 923 | 950 | 815 | 576 |
| 2016 | 988 | N/A* | 951 | 937 | 920 | 902 | 942 | 766 | 576 |
| 2015 | 877 | N/A* | 834 | 810 | 801 | 802 | 830 | 697 | 576 |
4. Stage-by-Stage Cut-Off Calculation Mechanics
Prelims GS-1 & CSAT Filter
The Prelims cut-off is calculated solely on GS Paper-I out of 200 marks. Each correct answer awards +2.00 marks, and each incorrect answer deducts -0.66 marks in accordance with the official UPSC marking scheme & negative deduction formula.
Mains 10% Sectional Rule
Mains cut-off is the aggregate of 7 descriptive papers (Essay, GS 1–4, Optional 1–2) totaling 1,750 marks. Review the full topic list in our complete UPSC Syllabus guide. Language qualifying papers require 25% (75/300 marks).
Final Merit (2,025 Marks)
Final cut-off is the combined aggregate of written Mains marks (out of 1,750) and Personality Test marks (out of 275).
5. The CSAT Shockwave & Prelims Cut-Off Collapse (2016 vs 2023 Analysis)
Why the General category Prelims cut-off collapsed from 116.00 down to 75.41 marks:
Between 2016 and 2023, the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary cut-off witnessed a historic downward trajectory of 40.59 marks (from 116.00 in 2016 to 75.41 in 2023). This structural shift is attributed to three primary drivers:
1. The Elimination Trap
Introduction of 'Only one pair / Only two pairs / All three pairs' options in GS-1 completely neutralized traditional elimination tricks, drastically reducing high-guess accuracy.
2. CSAT Mathematical Rigor
CSAT quantitative aptitude shifted towards IIT-JEE style number theory, combinatorics, and advanced modular arithmetic, disqualifying thousands of candidates scoring 100+ in GS-1.
3. Interdisciplinary GS-1
Questions demanded synthesis across conceptual economics, obscure historical gazettes, and applied biotechnology rather than predictable standard textbook regurgitation.
6. The CSE 2027 Safe Score Strategy: Blueprint for All-India Top 50 Rank (IAS)
Paper-by-paper score distribution required to secure a guaranteed top rank regardless of yearly cut-off fluctuations or annual vacancy shifts. Map this score target into your 18-month preparation calendar:
| Exam Component | Total Marks | Minimum Qualifying Threshold | Target Safe Score (IAS Top 50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims GS Paper-I | 200 | ~88.00 Marks (Cut-off) | 98 – 105 Marks |
| Prelims CSAT Paper-II | 200 | 66.00 Marks (33% Fixed) | 85 – 100 Marks |
| Mains Paper-I: Essay | 250 | 25.00 Marks (10% Rule) | 135 – 145 Marks |
| General Studies Papers I to IV | 1,000 | 100.00 Marks (25/Paper) | 410 – 440 Marks Total |
| Optional Subject (Papers 1 & 2) | 500 | 50.00 Marks (25/Paper) | 285 – 310 Marks |
| Personality Test (Interview) | 275 | No Sectional Minimum | 175 – 190 Marks |
| Final Aggregate Merit | 2,025 | ~947.00 Marks | 1,015 – 1,065 Marks (Top 50 Rank) |
Frequently Asked Questions on UPSC Cut-Off Marks
What was the official UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims, Mains, and Final cut-off for the General category?
In the official UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 results, the General category cut-off marks were: Preliminary Examination (GS Paper-I out of 200) was 87.98 marks, Main Examination (Written total out of 1,750) was 729 marks, and the Final Recommended Candidate cut-off (out of 2,025 marks) was 947 marks.
Why did the UPSC Prelims cut-off drop to a historic low of 75.41 in 2023?
The 2023 Prelims cut-off dropped to 75.41 marks primarily due to a significant rise in the difficulty level of CSAT Paper-II (advanced number theory, permutations-combinations, and complex reading comprehension), coupled with the introduction of 'Only One Pair / Only Two Pairs' options in GS Paper-I which eliminated elimination techniques.
Are CSAT Paper-II marks counted in the UPSC Prelims cut-off calculation?
No. Since 2015, CSAT (General Studies Paper-II) has been strictly qualifying in nature. Candidates must score at least 33% (66.00 marks out of 200) in CSAT. The merit cut-off for qualifying to Mains is calculated solely on marks obtained in GS Paper-I.
What is the 10% sectional minimum rule in the UPSC Mains Examination?
In accordance with official UPSC CSE Rules, candidates must secure at least 10% marks (25 marks out of 250) in each of the seven competitive descriptive papers (Essay, GS 1, GS 2, GS 3, GS 4, Optional 1, Optional 2) to be considered for evaluation in the aggregate Mains merit.
What is a safe score in UPSC CSE Mains and Final Interview to secure an All-India Top 50 Rank (IAS)?
To secure a top 50 All-India Rank and guarantee an IAS/IFS allocation, candidates should target at least 800–840 marks in the written Mains examination (Essay: 135+, GS Total: 410+, Optionals: 285+) and 175–190 marks in the Personality Test, achieving an aggregate of 1,000+ marks out of 2,025.
Disclaimer: UPSC AI is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Official cut-off archives and score PDFs can be accessed directly at upsc.gov.in.