2015–2024 archivePwBD columnsSafe score studioSimulator

UPSC Cut-Off 2015–2024 — Prelims, Mains & Safe Score Studio

Category-wise Prelims, Mains, and final cut-off archive with an interactive safe-score planner for CSE 2027 preparation.

1. Explorer2. Score simulator3. Mechanics4. 2016→2023 shift5. FAQs
Prelims GS-I range
75.41 – 116.00
Out of 200 (CSAT 33%)
Mains written range
676 – 809
Out of 1,750
Final merit range
877 – 1,006
Out of 2,025
Top-50 style target
1,000+
Planning benchmark

10-year cut-off analytics

Official archive data

Filter by stage. Full category ledger includes PwBD columns. Prelims = GS Paper I only.

YearGenEWSOBCSCSTPwBD-1PwBD-2PwBD-3PwBD-5
202487.9885.9287.2879.0374.2368.2159.404041.50
202375.4168.0274.7559.2547.8240.4047.1340.4033
202288.2282.8387.5474.0869.3549.8458.5940.4041.76
202187.5480.1484.8575.4170.7168.0267.3343.0945.80
202092.5177.5589.1274.8468.7170.0663.9440.8242.86
2019989095.348277.3453.3444.6640.6661.34
201898—96.668483.3473.3453.344045.34
2017105.34—102.6688.6688.6685.3461.344040
2016116—110.6699.349675.3472.664040
2015107.34—1069491.3491.3476.664040

EWS began formally in 2019 (103rd Amendment). Earlier cells show —.

Focus series · General · prelims

2024
87.98
2023
75.41
2022
88.22
2021
87.54
2020
92.51
2019
98
2018
98
2017
105.34
2016
116
2015
107.34

CSE 2027 safe-score studio · General

Paper-wise planning targets (not guarantees). Map into Shelf Planner milestones.

Prelims GS-I
95 – 105
CSAT
85 – 100 (pass ≥ 66)
Mains Essay
135 – 145
GS 1–4 total
410 – 440 (GS 1–4)
Optional 1+2
285 – 310
Interview
175 – 190
Final merit
1,000 – 1,065 (top ~50)

Prelims negative-marking score simulator

Live · 1/3rd penalty

Model attempt scenarios for GS Paper I and CSAT with official-style marking.

Correct
+2.00 × 68
Wrong
−0.67 × 17
Blank
0 × 15
Estimated net score
124.67 / 200

Accuracy 80% · Score 62.3% of paper

Comfortable vs recent Gen cut-offs

Formula: Net = (Correct × 2.00) − (Wrong × 0.667). Illustrative only — confirm marking in the official notification.

Mechanics

How cut-offs are calculated

Prelims

GS-I / 200 after CSAT ≥ 66. Wrong answers cost 1/3rd of marks allotted.

Mains

Aggregate of 7 merit papers / 1,750 with ≥ 10% in each; languages at 25%.

Final

Mains + Interview / 2,025. No separate interview qualifying floor.

Full marking scheme →

Trend intelligence

Why Prelims Gen fell from 116 (2016) to 75.41 (2023)

Elimination trap

‘Only one / two / all pairs’ options cut traditional elimination accuracy.

CSAT rigor

Tougher quant & comprehension eliminated many high GS scorers.

Interdisciplinary GS

Synthesis across domains beat pure textbook recall.

FAQs

Cut-off FAQs

What were 2024 Gen cut-offs?

Prelims GS-I 87.98 · Mains written 729 · Final 947 (official archive figures).

Why did Prelims Gen fall to 75.41 in 2023?

Harder CSAT plus ‘only one/two pairs’ options in GS-I reduced elimination tricks and high-guess accuracy.

Are CSAT marks in the Prelims cut-off?

No — only the 33% qualifying gate. Merit uses GS-I alone.

What is a top-50 style safe score?

Roughly 1,000+ / 2,025 with strong optional + interview — planning only, not a guarantee.

Disclaimer: UPSC Shelf is an independent study workspace and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Union Public Service Commission. Official notifications, calendars, admit cards, and results are published only at upsc.gov.in.