The UPSC Prelims Exam 2024 has been conducted on 16th June 2024. With this, anticipation around the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024 has started mounting. Getting an idea of an estimated cut-off for Prelims 2024 can help candidates gauge their performance in the exam as well as strategize their preparation for the Mains 2024. This article of NEXT IAS gives an insight into the factors influencing the expected cut-off for UPSC Prelims 2024 and provides an estimated figure of the same.
With the conclusion of the UPSC Prelims 2024 Exam, a wave of anticipation and anxiety sweeps through the aspirant community, centering on the question: “What will be the cut-off marks for UPSC Prelims 2024?”. While the exact figure for the UPSC CSE Prelims Cut Off 2024 will be known only after the UPSC releases it officially, an estimate for the same can be made based on the deciding factors. In the sections that follow, various factors deciding the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024 have been analyzed in detail and then an estimated figure for the cut off marks has been given.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 – Key Facts
| Exam Date | 16th June, 2024 |
| Announcement of Results | First Week of July 2024 (expected) |
| Date of Official Notification | 14th February, 2024 |
| Number of Vacancies | 1056 |
| Estimated Number of Candidates Appeared for UPSC Prelims 2024 | 5-6 lakhs |
How UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024 is Calculated?
The UPSC CSE Prelims Exam consists of two papers:
- General Studies-I (GS-I): It carries a total mark of 200 and the marks obtained in this paper are counted for the declaration of the result.
- General Studies-II (CSAT): It also carries a total mark of 200, but the marks obtained in this paper are not counted for the declaration of the result. One has to just qualify this paper by securing marks equal to or more than 33% of the total marks.
The UPSC CSE Prelims Cut Off is calculated on the basis of the performance of candidates in the General Studies-I Paper.
UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024: Influencing Factors
The most prominent factors influencing the cut off marks for UPSC Prelims 2024 include:
- Number of Vacancies
- The number of vacancies announced for the year has a direct impact on the cut-off.
- Higher vacancies can lead to a lower cut-off, while fewer vacancies can push it higher.
- Total number of vacancies announced under the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 is 1056.
- The number of vacancies announced for the year has a direct impact on the cut-off.
- Difficulty Level of the Exam
- The complexity of the questions asked in the exam plays a crucial role in deciding the Prelims Cut Off.
- A tougher exam generally results in a lower cut-off and vice versa.
- This year’s Prelims Exam can be categorized as lying somewhere between easy to moderate.
- The complexity of the questions asked in the exam plays a crucial role in deciding the Prelims Cut Off.
- Number of Candidates Appearing
- A higher number of candidates appearing for the exam intensifies competition and raises the cut-off.
- This year around 5-6 lakh candidates have appeared for the exam.
- Overall Performance of Candidates
- The aggregate performance of candidates across the board directly decides the cut-off.
- If a larger number of candidates score high marks, the cut-off tends to rise.
- More details regarding this parameter for this year’s Prelims Exam will emerge with time.
- The aggregate performance of candidates across the board directly decides the cut-off.
- Past Years’ Trends of Prelims Cut Off
- The past years’ trends of UPSC Prelims Cut Off can give an idea about the expected cut off for UPSC Prelims 2024.
- The same is discussed in detail in the following section.
UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024: Category-wise Estimates
The exact cut-off for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 will be known only after the UPSC releases it officially in around April-May 2025. However, based on the above-discussed factors, the expected cut-off for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 for different categories could fall as follows.
| Category | Expected Cut Off for UPSC Prelims 2024 |
|---|---|
| General Category | 95 +/- 3 Marks |
| OBC Category | 92 +/- 3 Marks |
| EWS Category | 85 +/- 3 Marks |
| SC Category | 83 +/- 3 Marks |
| ST Category | 77 +/- 3 Marks |
Expected UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024: General Category
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 cut off for the General Category is expected to be around 95 +/- 3 marks.
Expected UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024: OBC Category
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 cut off for the OBC Category is expected to be around 92 +/- 3 marks.
Expected UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024: EWS Category
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 cut off for the EWS Category is expected to be around 85 +/- 3 Marks.
Expected UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024: SC Category
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 cut off for SC Category is expected to be around 83 +/- 3 marks.
Expected UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024: ST Category
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 cut off for ST Category is expected to be around 77 +/- 3 marks.
UPSC CSE Prelims Cut-off: Past Years’ Trends
Past years’ trends of cut-off marks for the UPSC Prelims Exam can be seen as follows:
| Category | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 75.41 | 88.22 | 87.54 | 92.51 | 98 | 98 |
| OBC | 74.75 | 87.54 | 89.12 | 89.12 | 95.34 | 96.66 |
| ST | 47.82 | 69.35 | 70.71 | 68.71 | 77.34 | 83.34 |
| SC | 59.25 | 74.08 | 75.41 | 74.84 | 82 | 84 |
| PWD 1 | 40.40 | 49.84 | 68.02 | 70.06 | 53.34 | 73.34 |
| PWD 2 | 47.13 | 58.59 | 67.33 | 63.94 | 44.66 | 53.34 |
| PWD 3 | 40.40 | 40.40 | 43.09 | 40.82 | 61.34 | 40.00 |
| PWD 5 | 33.68 | 41.76 | 45.80 | 42.86 | 61.34 | 45.34 |
| EWS | 68.02 | 82.83 | 80.14 | 77.55 | 90 | — |
Prelims Analytica – Steps to Check UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024
Candidates who wish to get a more finer idea of the expected cut off for UPSC Prelims 2024 are advised to use NEXT IAS Prelims Analytica. Here are the steps to check UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024 estimates along with your chance in the exam:
- Go to the NEXT IAS Prelims Analytica.
- Select your Question Booklet Series/Set.
- Input your answers for all the questions that you have attempted.
- Click on “Generate Report”.
- A comprehensive report of your performance in the UPSC Prelims 2024 will appear on your screen.
- The report will help you get a fair estimate of the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024.
Conclusion
The above-estimated figures for the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024 are based on a primary analysis of various parameters related to the exam. These figures will be updated as more details regarding the candidates’ performance emerge. The candidates are advised to use the Prelims Analytica in order to get a clearer picture of the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024 and their performance and chances in the exam. Moreover, aspirants should continue with their Mains preparation irrespective of their good or bad performance in the Prelims Exam 2024.
We wish you good luck on the UPSC Prelims Result 2024!
Team NEXT IAS
FAQs on UPSC Prelims 2024
What is the expected UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024?
The exact cut-off for UPSC Prelims Exam 2024 will be known a few days after the announcement of UPSC Final Result 2024 in around April-May 2025. However, an estimate of the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2024 can be made by considering various factors as mentioned above.
How is the UPSC prelims cut off calculated?
The cut off marks for UPSC Prelims Exam is decided by the UPSC based on various factors such as the number of vacancies, the number of candidates appeared, etc.
Who decides the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024?
The Cut Off for the each stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination is finally decided by the UPSC based on various factors. The UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2024 will also be decided likewise.
How to analyse your performance of UPSC Prelims 2024 with Prelims Analytica?
Go to Prelims Analytica, input your Question Booklet Code & your answers to attempted questions, and then click on Generate Report. The Prelims Analytica will generate a comprehensive report, providing a detailed analysis of your performance around more than 20 parameters.
When will UPSC Prelims Result 2024 be announced?
The UPSC Prelims Result 2024 is expected to be announced in the first week of July 2024.
