UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2024 Released

UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2024: UPSC released the cut-off marks for the Civil Services Examination 2024. Know more about the UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2024.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the cut-off marks for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 on April 22, 2025, alongside the final results.

The UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2024 are a critical indicator of the examination’s competitiveness and help aspirants plan their preparation with better clarity.

This year, over 1,009 candidates qualified for various prestigious services, including the IAS, IPS, IFS, and others.

About the UPSC Civil Services Examination

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) remains one of the most challenging and prestigious competitive exams in India.

The recently released minimum qualifying marks for the 2024 examination offer a wealth of insights into the evolving standards and competitiveness of this examination.

Let’s take a detailed look at the UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2024 across stages, followed by a comparison with previous years and what this means for future aspirants.

UPSC Cut-off Marks 2024: Overview

Tie-Breaking Criteria:

1. Higher marks in Compulsory Papers (Essay + GS I–IV) and Interview.
2. If still tied, seniority in age was used to decide rank.

Note: Prelims cut-off is based on GS Paper-I only. GS Paper-II was qualifying in nature (33% required).

UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2024: Prelims

• The General category cut-off increased slightly compared to 2023 (from 75.41 to 87.98), reflecting a moderately simpler paper or higher competition.
• OBC cut-off (87.28) is nearly at par with the General cut-off, suggesting limited reservation benefit at the preliminary stage.
• SC and ST cut-offs remain significantly lower, reflecting systemic support for inclusion but also the need for targeted improvement strategies.
• PwBD categories, especially PwBD-3 (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and PwBD-5 (Multiple Disabilities), continue to have the lowest qualifying thresholds, acknowledging additional challenges these candidates face.

UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2024: Mains

• The General cut-off has fallen from 741 in 2023 to 729, indicating either more stringent checking or a tougher evaluation of answer scripts.
• OBC and EWS candidates had to score nearly the same as the General category to qualify, indicating intense competition within reserved categories.
• The large drop in PwBD-3 and PwBD-5 scores (307 and 361, respectively) reflects broader accommodation, though also indicates fewer candidates qualifying from these groups.
• Consistently lower cut-offs for SC/ST candidates compared to General/OBC signify opportunities but also emphasize the importance of focused preparation strategies for these communities.

UPSC Cut-Off Marks 2023: Final Selection

•  Final cut-off for General has decreased from 953 (2023) to 947, continuing a three-year downward trend (960 → 953 → 947).
• The gap between Mains and Final cut-off (General: 218 marks) highlights the impact of the Interview stage, often the decider between selection and rejection.
• ST cut-off (884) slightly exceeded SC (880), a rare occurrence, showing variability in competition levels across these categories.
• PwBD-2 candidates (low vision/blindness) scored exceptionally well (913), showcasing how capable and competitive candidates from all backgrounds can be with the right preparation and support.
• PwBD-5 category (Multiple Disabilities) had a final cut-off of just 461, showing high levels of flexibility in accommodating aspirants under this bracket.

How Does UPSC CSE 2024 Compare to Previous Years?

• Prelims cut-off has increased compared to 2023, which is very low cut-off, indicating a potential rise in competition or changes in exam difficulty.
• Mains cut-off has remained relatively stable over the years, with minor fluctuations across categories.
• Final cut-off has also slightly declined, showing that the interview scores are playing an increasingly decisive role in final rankings.

What Can Aspirants Learn from These Trends?

1. Prelims are Getting More Competitive

• Even with a marginal dip in cut-off, the difficulty level and uncertainty of the Prelims stage continue to challenge aspirants.
• Strong preparation in GS Paper I and smart elimination techniques are key.

2. Mains Needs Precision & Consistency

• With the Mains cut-off dropping, it’s clear that writing quality—not just content—is under tighter scrutiny.
• Structured answers, frequent mock tests, and answer writing practice are indispensable.

3. Interview Can Be a Game Changer

• Given that the gap between Mains and Final cut-offs is narrowing, the Personality Test has become a make-or-break factor.
• Aspirants must focus on clarity of thought, confidence, and current affairs awareness.

4. Optional Subjects Still Matter

• Despite GS-heavy focus, a high score in the optional papers (500 marks) can significantly boost your rank. Choose wisely and master it thoroughly.

Conclusion

The UPSC cut-off marks 2024 cut-off data once again confirms that UPSC is evolving, and so must aspirants. A balanced approach, blending strong GS fundamentals, mastery in optional, consistent answer writing, and refined personality traits, is the formula for success.

We encourage aspirants to not just aim to “clear” the cut-off, but to beat it with confidence and consistency.

If you’re looking for personalised mentorship, test series, or structured courses for Prelims, Mains, or the Interview-ClearIAS is here to guide you every step of the way.

Related links:

• Download UPSC CSE 2024 Final Results (Rank List)
• Join ClearIAS Courses