UPSC Cut Off 2025 (Official): Prelims, Mains & Final Cut-Off Marks with Trend Analysis
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official cut-off marks for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025. These marks represent the minimum scores obtained by the last recommended candidate in each category at different stages of the examination.
The cut-off acts as a critical benchmark for aspirants because it reflects the level of competition, exam difficulty, and overall candidate performance in a particular year. By analysing these marks, candidates can better estimate the score required to clear the Preliminary stage, qualify for the Interview, and ultimately secure a place in the final merit list.
Understanding the UPSC Cut-Off System
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three successive stages, each with its own qualifying threshold.
Preliminary Examination
Candidates must secure the required marks in General Studies Paper-I, which is used for merit determination. The CSAT paper is qualifying in nature and requires a minimum of 33% marks.
Mains Examination
The written Mains examination consists of nine papers, out of which seven papers contribute to the merit ranking. Candidates who cross the Mains cut-off are called for the Personality Test.
Final Merit List
The final selection is based on the combined score of the Mains written examination and the Interview.
UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2025
The Preliminary cut-off represents the minimum score required to qualify for the Mains examination.
| Category | Prelims Cut Off 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 92.66 |
| EWS | 89.34 |
| OBC | 92.00 |
| SC | 84.00 |
| ST | 82.66 |
| PwBD-1 | 76.66 |
| PwBD-2 | 54.66 |
| PwBD-3 | 40.66 |
| PwBD-5 | 40.66 |
The general category cut-off crossing 92 marks indicates that the paper demanded a relatively strong performance from aspirants.
UPSC Mains Cut Off 2025
Candidates clearing the Preliminary stage appear for the written Mains examination. The marks below indicate the minimum score required to qualify for the Interview stage.
| Category | Mains Cut Off 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 739 |
| EWS | 706 |
| OBC | 717 |
| SC | 700 |
| ST | 694 |
| PwBD-1 | 703 |
| PwBD-2 | 708 |
| PwBD-3 | 536 |
| PwBD-5 | 451 |
For the general category, candidates required 739 marks in the written examination to move to the Personality Test.
UPSC Final Cut Off 2025
The final cut-off determines entry into the Civil Services after combining the marks obtained in the written Mains examination and the Interview.
| Category | Final Cut Off 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 963 |
| EWS | 926 |
| OBC | 931 |
| SC | 905 |
| ST | 902 |
| PwBD-1 | 917 |
| PwBD-2 | 944 |
| PwBD-3 | 804 |
| PwBD-5 | 631 |
A score of 963 marks was required for the last selected candidate in the General category.
Comparison with UPSC Cut Off 2024
A comparison with the previous year provides insight into competition levels.
Prelims Cut Off 2024
| Category | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| General | 87.98 |
| EWS | 85.92 |
| OBC | 87.28 |
| SC | 79.03 |
| ST | 74.23 |
Mains Cut Off 2024
| Category | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| General | 729 |
| EWS | 696 |
| OBC | 702 |
| SC | 685 |
| ST | 684 |
Final Cut Off 2024
| Category | Cut Off |
|---|---|
| General | 947 |
| EWS | 917 |
| OBC | 910 |
| SC | 880 |
| ST | 884 |
Compared with 2024, the 2025 cut-offs have increased slightly, suggesting stronger overall performance and competitive scoring.
Prelims Cut Off Trend (Last Five Years)
| Year | General Cut Off |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 87.98 |
| 2023 | 75.41 |
| 2022 | 88.22 |
| 2021 | 87.54 |
| 2020 | 92.51 |
The fluctuations demonstrate how the difficulty level of the GS Paper-I significantly influences the Prelims cut-off each year.
Factors That Influence UPSC Cut Off
Several structural factors determine the final threshold each year.
Difficulty level of the exam
A difficult paper usually lowers the cut-off, while an easier paper increases it.
Number of vacancies
Higher vacancies can slightly reduce the cut-off because more candidates can progress.
Overall candidate performance
If a large number of candidates perform well, the cut-off tends to rise.
Reservation policy
Separate cut-offs exist for categories such as General, OBC, SC, ST and PwBD.
Intensity of competition
Lakhs of aspirants appear every year, and small differences in marks can influence the final threshold.
What the 2025 Cut Off Suggests for Aspirants
The cut-off trends provide practical benchmarks for future preparation.
Aspirants targeting the General category should ideally aim for:
• Prelims: around 95–100 marks in GS Paper-I
• Mains: around 740+ marks
• Final selection: around 960+ marks
These targets provide a realistic safety margin above the minimum qualifying marks.
Conclusion
The UPSC Cut Off 2025 highlights the intense competition in the Civil Services Examination. While the exact cut-off varies every year, analysing trends helps aspirants set clear score targets and refine their preparation strategy.
For serious candidates, understanding these benchmarks is essential for navigating the different stages of the examination and ultimately securing a place in the final merit list.
