UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks 2025: Complete Breakdown of UPSC Personality Test Marks
UPSC Interview qualifying marks are one of the top queries of candidates. Everything UPSC aspirants need to know about the 2025 interview stage from qualifying marks to scoring trends and personality test.
Jatin Sharma5 Dec, 2025
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UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks: The UPSC Interview 2025 is the final stage in the Civil Services Examination process, assessing candidates' suitability for a career in civil services beyond their academic achievements. Reaching this stage means that candidates have already proven their capabilities through the preliminary and mains exams.
The interview evaluates their personality and overall fit for various civil service roles. The final allocation of services depends on candidates' ranks and their preferred posts. The Civil Services Examination consists of three stages: the preliminary exam, the mains exam, and the interview. While the preliminary exam qualified candidates for the mains exam, its scores are not included in the final selection process.
UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most difficult tests in India. It consists of three stages: the Preliminary exam, the Mains exam, and the Personality Test/Interview. Here, we've mentioned the details of all three stages:- Prelims: General Studies Paper and CSAT, each worth 200 marks.
- Mains: Nine papers totalling 1750 marks.
- Personality Test/Interview: 275 marks.
UPSC Interview Marks Distribution 2025
The total UPSC Interview marks are 275 out of the total 2025 marks for the entire exam. There is no set minimum score for passing the interview. Typically, interview scores range from 40% to 80% of the total marks. Candidates who may perform poorly in the mains exam can still achieve a top position if their UPSC interview marks are good. Generally, scores between 65% and 75% in the UPSC interview are considered strong, though scores above 75% are rare. The UPSC interview aims to evaluate whether a candidate has the potential for a successful career in civil services. The panel looks for qualities such as:- Mental sharpness
- Critical thinking
- Rational thought
- Risk assessment skills
- Crisis management capabilities
- Leadership potential
- Moral and intellectual integrity
UPSC Interview Highest Marks
The IAS interview focuses more on evaluating a candidate’s attitude and analytical skills rather than just factual knowledge. UPSC toppers have highlighted the significance of the interview over the years, and here are some of the highest marks achieved in the UPSC Interview:| Highest Marks in UPSC Interview | ||
| Year | Name of the Candidate | Marks |
| 2025 | To be Announced | To be Announced |
| 2024 | Shah Margi Chirag | 210 |
| 2023 | Aniket Shandilya, Yogesh Dilhor, and Kshetrimayum Deepi Chanu | 215 |
| 2022 | YIMKUM I OZUKUM, TENZIN YANGKI, and ZENDEN LINGZERPA | 210 |
| 2021 | Ashutosh Kumar and Kiran PB | 206 |
| 2020 | Apala Mishra | 215 |
| 2020 | Ankita Jain | 212 |
| 2019 | Jatin Kishore | 185 |
| 2018 | Kanishak Kataria | 179 |
| 2017 | Anudeep Dursihetty | 176 |
| 2016 | Nandini KR | 193 |
| 2014 | Zainab Sayeed | 220 |
UPSC Cut-Off Tie-Breaking Rules
When candidates have the same total marks, UPSC uses some of the tie-breaking rules. Check here for detailed information on the UPSC Cut-Off Tie-Breaking Rules 2025:- Marks in Compulsory Papers and Interviews: Candidates with higher scores in the compulsory papers and interviews are ranked higher.
- Age Factor: If marks are still tied, the older candidate is given preference in the ranking.
Also Check: UPSC Syllabus 2025 PDF, IAS Prelims & Mains Syllabus
These rules ensure a fair and systematic approach to ranking candidates with identical scores. Therefore, this stage is crucial for final selection, with no set minimum UPSC Interview qualifying marks . Scores between 65% and 75% are considered strong, and exceptional performance in the interview can compensate for lower mains scores. The interview focuses on assessing candidates' analytical skills, leadership, and integrity.| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Prelims 2025 | UPSC Optional Subject | UPSC Cut Off 2025 |
| UPSC Negative Marking | IAS Promotion Chart | UPSC Topper 2025 |
UPSC Interview Qualifying Marks FAQs
What are the passing marks for the UPSC interview?
There are no specific passing marks for the UPSC interview. The interview is assessed based on a candidate's overall performance, including their personality and suitability for a civil service career. The marks awarded typically range from 40% to 80% of the total 275 marks.
What are the minimum qualifying marks for the IAS interview?
There are no minimum qualifying marks for the IAS interview itself. However, candidates must achieve a minimum cut-off score in the UPSC Mains Examination to be eligible for the interview. The final selection is based on combined scores from both the Mains and Interview stages.
Who got 220 marks in the UPSC interview?
Zainab Sayeed holds the record for the highest marks in the UPSC interview, achieving an impressive score of 220 out of 275 in the 2024 CSE examination. This exceptional performance highlights her outstanding capabilities and suitability for a career in civil services.
What is the pass rate for the UPSC interview?
The UPSC interview is notoriously challenging, with a pass rate of around 0.2%. This low rate reflects the high level of competition and the difficulty of the interview, which evaluates candidates' suitability for a civil services career beyond their academic knowledge.
What is a good score in a UPSC interview?
A good score in the UPSC interview typically ranges between 65% and 75% of the total 275 marks. Scoring within this range is considered strong and can significantly impact final selection, though scores above 75% are rare. Check the article above for more details on the Upsc Interview Qualifying Marks.
What if I fail in an IAS interview?
You must complete the IAS interview to be selected for the position. However, it does not prevent you from reapplying in future years. Many candidates learn from their experiences and try again to improve their performance in subsequent attempts. For more details on the Upsc Interview Qualifying Marks, check the above article.
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