The UPSC Prelims Exam 2025 has been conducted on 25th May 2025. With this, there is an anticipation around the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2025. Getting an idea of an estimated cut-off for Prelims 2025 can help candidates gauge their performance. Also, they would get fair idea whether they should start preparing for Prelims 2026 or in the exam as well as strategize their preparation for the Mains 2025.
This article of NEXT IAS gives an insight into the factors influencing the expected cut-off for UPSC Prelims 2025 and provides an estimated figure of the same.
While the exact figure for the UPSC CSE Prelims Cut Off 2025 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 2025 have been analyzed in detail and then an estimated figure for the cut off marks has been given.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 – Key Facts
| Exam Date | 25th May, 2025 |
| Date of Official Notification | January 22, 2025 |
| Number of Vacancies | 979 |
| Estimated Number of Candidates Appeared for UPSC Prelims 2025 | Around 5-6 lakhs |
How UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2025 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 2025: Influencing Factors
The most prominent factors influencing the cut off marks for UPSC Prelims 2025 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 2025 is 979.
- 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.
- 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 2025.
- The same is discussed in detail in the following section.
UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2025: Category-wise Estimates
The exact cut-off for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 will be known only after the UPSC releases it officially in around April-May 2026. However, based on the above-discussed factors, the expected cut-off for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 for different categories could fall as follows.
| Category | Expected Cut Off for UPSC Prelims 2025 |
|---|---|
| General Category | 85.92 |
| OBC Category | To be announced soon |
| EWS Category | To be announced soon |
| SC Category | To be announced soon |
| ST Category | To be announced soon |
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 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 87.98 | 75.41 | 88.22 | 87.54 | 92.51 | 98 | 98 |
| OBC | 87.28 | 74.75 | 87.54 | 89.12 | 89.12 | 95.34 | 96.66 |
| ST | 74.23 | 47.82 | 69.35 | 70.71 | 68.71 | 77.34 | 83.34 |
| SC | 79.03 | 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 | 85.92 | 68.02 | 82.83 | 80.14 | 77.55 | 90 | — |
Conclusion
The above-estimated figures for the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2025 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 Cutoff Predictor in order to get a clearer picture of the UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2025 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 2025.
We wish you good luck on the UPSC Prelims Result 2025!
Team NEXT IAS.
| Also Check: |
| UPSC Prelims 2025 Question Paper: GS I |
| CSAT 2025 Question Paper |
| UPSC Prelims Analysis 2025 |
| What is the UPSC Prelims Cutoff Predictor? |
FAQs on UPSC Prelims 2025
What is the expected UPSC Prelims Cut Off 2025?
The exact cut-off for UPSC Prelims Exam 2025 will be known a few days after the announcement of UPSC Final Result 2025 in around April-May 2026. However, an estimate of the UPSC Prelims Cut-Off 2025 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 2025?
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 2025 will also be decided likewise.
