What are the passing marks of UPSC?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) does not specify a fixed passing marks or cutoff score for the Civil Services Examination. The cutoff marks for each stage of the examination (Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview) vary each year and depend on factors such as the number of vacancies, the difficulty level of the exam, and the performance of candidates.

However, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks set by the UPSC in each stage of the examination to proceed to the next stage:

1. 1. Preliminary Examination: The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). The marks obtained in Paper II (CSAT) are only qualifying in nature (i.e., a candidate must score a minimum of 33% marks in Paper II). The marks of Paper I (General Studies) are considered for determining the cutoff for qualifying for the Main Examination.
   2. Main Examination: In the Main Examination, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by the UPSC in each paper. Failure to secure the minimum qualifying marks in any of the papers can lead to disqualification.
   3. Interview (Personality Test): Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Interview, also known as the Personality Test. There is no fixed passing marks for the Interview. The marks obtained in the Main Examination (written) and the Interview are combined to determine the final merit list.

It’s important to note that the UPSC releases the cutoff marks along with the results of each stage of the examination. Candidates should aim to score as high as possible in each stage to maximize their chances of success. Additionally, the final selection depends on the overall performance of candidates and their ranking in the merit list.