UPSC CSE 2023 Results: Check category-wise cut-off, toppers’ score and analysis

CUT OFF RELEASED

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recently announced the results of the Civil Services Examination 2023, revealing significant changes in the cut-off scores compared to previous years.

CS (Prelim) Cut-off:

• General Category: 75.41
• EWS Category: 68.02
• OBC Category: 74.75
• SC Category: 59.25
• ST Category: 47.82
• PwBD-1 Category: 40.40
• PwBD-2 Category: 47.13
• PwBD-3 Category: 40.40
• PwBD-5 Category: 33.68

CS (Mains) Cut-off:

• General Category: 741
• EWS Category: 706
• OBC Category: 712
• SC Category: 694
• ST Category: 692
• PwBD-1 Category: 673
• PwBD-2 Category: 718
• PwBD-3 Category: 396
• PwBD-5 Category: 445

CS (Final) Cut-off:

• General Category: 953
• EWS Category: 923
• OBC Category: 919
• SC Category: 890
• ST Category: 891
• PwBD-1 Category: 894
• PwBD-2 Category: 930
• PwBD-3 Category: 756
• PwBD-5 Category: 589

The Preliminary Examination is objective-type, comprising two papers with multiple-choice questions, each paper carrying a maximum of 200 marks. These papers cover subjects listed in sub-section (A) of Section II. It serves as a screening test, and the marks obtained here are not counted towards the final merit list. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main Examination is about twelve to thirteen times the total approximate number of vacancies. Only those candidates declared qualified in the Preliminary Examination by the Commission are eligible for admission to the Main Examination of that year, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.

Note: The Commission determines the list of candidates qualified for the Main Examination based on minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies Paper-II and total qualifying marks in General Studies Paper-I of the Preliminary Examination.

In the Preliminary stage, which serves as the initial screening process for candidates, the cut-off score for the general category has seen a substantial decrease. For the year 2023, the cut-off stood at 75.41, marking a notable decline from the 88.22 and 87.54 cut-off scores observed in 2022 and 2021, respectively. This decrease suggests a potentially lower threshold for qualification for general category candidates.

Similarly, candidates belonging to other categories, including Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST), also witnessed reductions in their respective cut-off scores. For instance, the cut-off scores for the EWS category were 68.02, indicating a trend of decreased cut-offs across different categories.

Moving on to the Main examination, which is the second stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, the trend of decreased cut-off scores persists. For the general category, the cut-off dropped to 741 for 2023, showcasing a downward trajectory from the 748 and 745 cut-offs recorded in 2022 and 2021, respectively. This consistent decline in cut-off scores across both Prelims and Mains implies a potential shift in the overall competitiveness of the examination or the performance level of candidates.

Furthermore, the Final cut-off scores, which determine the selection of candidates for various services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others, have also been released. The Final cut-off for the general category stands at 953, while for categories like EWS, OBC, SC, and ST, the cut-off scores are slightly lower.

These variations in cut-off scores for different categories reflect the dynamic nature of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Factors such as changes in question patterns, shifts in candidate demographics, and alterations in the evaluation process could contribute to these fluctuations. Additionally, the adjustments in cut-off scores may impact the number of candidates qualifying for subsequent stages of the examination, potentially altering the composition of the aspirant pool at each stage.

UPSC Prelims Cut-off Marks – Over the Years

Year	Cut-off Marks	Percentage
2005	284/450	63.11
2006	282/450	62.66
2007	256/450	56.88
2008	244/450	54.22
2009	250/450	55.55
2010	248/450	55.11
2011	198/400	49.5
2012	209/400	52.25
2013	241/400	60.25
2014	205/400	51.25
2015	107.34/200	53.67
2016	116.00/200	58.00
2017	105.34/200	52.67
2018	98/200	49.00
2019	98/200	49.00
2020	92.5 /200	46.61
2021	87.54/200	43.77
2022	88.22/200	44.11
2023	75.41/200	37.7

UPSC Mains Cut-off Marks – Over the Years

Year	Cut-off Marks	Percentage
2005	986/2000	49.3
2006	975/2000	48.75
2007	1005/2000	50.25
2008	954/2000	47.7
2009	899/2000	44.95
2010	904/2000	45.2
2011	842/2000	42.1
2012	700/2000	35
2013	562/1750	32.1
2014	678/1750	38.74
2015	676/1750	38.62
2016	787/1750	44.97
2017	809/1750	46.22
2018	774/1750	44.22
2019	751/1750	42.91
2020	736/1750	42.05
2021	745/1750	42.57
2022	748/1750	42.74
2023	741/1750	42.34

UPSC Mains+Interview Cut-off Marks – Over the Years

Year	Cut-off Marks	Mains+ Interview Percentage
2005	1203/2300	52.3
2006	1179/2300	51.26
2007	1210/2300	52.6
2008	1161/2300	50.47
2009	1127/2300	49
2010	1134/2300	49.3
2011	1090/2300	47.39
2012	936/2300	40.69
2013	775/2025	38.27
2014	889/2025	43.90
2015	877/2025	43.30
2016	988/2025	48.79
2017	1006/2025	49.67
2018	982/2025	48.49
2019	961/2025	47.45
2020	944/2025	46.61
2021	953/2025	47.06
2022	960/2025	47.4
2023	953/2025	47.06

MARKSHEET RELEASED

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recently released the mark sheet of candidates recommended for the Civil Services Examination 2023. This mark sheet showcases the scores attained by candidates in the Civil Services (Main) Examination, which encompasses both the written test and the personality test.

Aditya Srivastava, the topper of the examination, secured an impressive total of 1099 marks according to the mark sheet released by the commission. His breakdown includes 899 marks in the written test and a perfect score of 200 in the personality test.

This year, a total of 1016 candidates have been recommended for appointment to prestigious positions such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, and Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’. However, it's worth noting that the candidature of 355 recommended candidates has been kept provisional, subject to further verification.

The UPSC Civil Service prelims examination for 2023 took place on May 28, 2023. Subsequently, the mains examination occurred on September 15, 16, 17, 23, and 24, 2023. Lastly, the interviews for the personality test were conducted from January to April 2024. This rigorous examination process spans several months and evaluates candidates on various aspects to select the best candidates for key administrative roles in the country.

Check the mark sheet here:

https://upsconline.nic.in/marksheet/exam/marksheet_system/

Marks of the recommended candidates:

https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/CSM2023_Mks_RecomCandi_Eng_19042024.pdf

UPSC CSE 2023 Recommended Candidates Mark Analysis:

Overall, the release of the UPSC Civil Services Examination cut-off and scores for 2023 provides valuable insights into the examination's competitiveness and the performance standards expected from aspirants. It underscores the significance of continuous preparation and adaptation to the evolving nature of one of India's most prestigious competitive examinations.