Understanding UPSC Exam Cut-Off Marks for 2024

The UPSC Civil Services Exam is a highly competitive assessment in India, with over 500,000 candidates vying for IAS and IPS positions. This article delves into the cut-off marks required at each stage of the exam for 2024, including Prelims and Mains, and explains how the final merit list is compiled. Understanding these details is crucial for aspirants aiming to succeed in this prestigious examination.

By Ambika Singh Feb 3, 2026, 09:16 IST

UPSC Exam Marks Overview

UPSC Exam Marks Required: The UPSC Civil Services Examination stands as one of the most prestigious and sought-after assessments in India. Annually, over 500,000 aspirants take part, aiming to secure positions as IAS and IPS officers. However, only a select few achieve this goal. Are you aware of the marks needed at each stage to qualify for the UPSC exam and who is eligible for the interview? If not, continue reading to learn more.

Stages of the UPSC Exam

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is divided into three distinct phases. The first phase, known as Prelims, consists of objective-type questions. The second phase, Mains, includes nine papers, with seven contributing to the final merit. The last phase is the interview and personality assessment, which finalizes the selection process.

Cut-off Marks for UPSC Prelims

The cut-off marks for the Prelims vary annually across different categories. For instance, in 2024, the cut-off for General category candidates was set at 87.98, while OBC candidates needed 87.28. The cut-offs for SC and ST were 79.03 and 74.23, respectively. For the EWS category, the cut-off was 85.92, and for the PWD category, it was 69.42 for PWD 1, 65.30 for PWD 2, and around 40 for PWD 3 and PWD 5. It's important to note that the Prelims serve only as a qualifying round, with the merit list based on Mains and Interview scores.

Cut-off Marks for UPSC Mains

The Mains examination is scored out of a total of 1,750 marks. Candidates must achieve the minimum cut-off marks in this stage to qualify for the interview. In 2024, the cut-off for General category candidates was 729 marks, while OBC candidates needed 702 marks. The cut-offs for SC and ST were 685 and 684, respectively. For EWS, the cut-off was 696, and for the PWD category, it was 663 for PWD 1, 696 for PWD 2, 307 for PWD 3, and 361 for PWD 5. Only those who meet these cut-off marks in the Mains are invited for the interview.

Preparation of the Final Merit List

The final merit list by UPSC, which determines successful candidates, is based on a cumulative score of 2,025 marks from both the Mains and interview stages. In 2024, candidates from the General category were selected with a score of 947 marks. The cut-off marks for OBC, SC, ST, and EWS were 910, 880, 884, and 917, respectively.