UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025, Total Marks and Cutoff
UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025 represent the minimum scores required to be considered for the interview stage. Candidates must target scoring above UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025.
Deeksha Dixit24 Jun, 2025
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UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025 play a crucial role in determining whether a candidate advances to the final stage of the UPSC Civil Services exam, the Personality Test (Interview). These marks are the minimum scores required in each paper to be considered for evaluation and merit ranking. While scoring well in optional subjects and General Studies papers is essential for a high overall rank, failing to meet the qualifying marks in the compulsory papers, such as English and the Indian language, can lead to disqualification, regardless of performance in other sections. Understanding the UPSC Passing Marks is essential for aspirants to clear this competitive exam with confidence and clarity.
UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025
The UPSC Mains exam has a total of 9 papers of which 2 are qualifying papers and 7 are merit papers. The score of merit papers is counted to make the final results. Each qualifying paper is worth 300 marks, and candidates must score 25% otherwise, their copies for merit papers will not be evaluated.| UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025 | ||
| Paper | Minimum Qualifying Marks | Maximum Marks |
| Qualifying Papers | ||
|
75 | 300 |
| Merit Paper | ||
|
25 | 250 |
UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025 Language Paper
In the UPSC Mains, there are two compulsory language papers: Paper A and Paper B. Paper A requires candidates to select an Indian language from the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. However, candidates from Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh are exempt from Paper A, as it is not compulsory for them. Paper B, which is the English language paper, is mandatory for all candidates.Both papers are UPSC Mains qualifying papers, and you need to score the minimum UPSC language paper qualifying marks to move on to the next stage. Failing to achieve these marks will disqualify you from the personality test, even if you score well in other papers. The qualifying marks for UPSC Mains Language Paper 2025 are as follows:
| UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025 Language Paper | ||
| Paper | Qualifying Marks | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-A Indian Language | 25% of 300 = 75 | 300 |
| Paper-B English | 25% of 300 = 75 | 300 |
What are Qualifying Marks for UPSC Mains?
The minimum qualifying marks for the UPSC Main Exam 2025 can be divided into two categories: qualifying marks and cut-off marks. The UPSC Mains exam qualifying marks are the minimum score that is mandatory for all candidates; otherwise, their copies will not be evaluated for Essay papers, GS papers, and optional papers.| Qualifying Marks for UPSC Mains | ||
| Paper | Total Marks | Qualifying Marks |
| Compulsory Language Paper | 300 | 25% of 300 = 75 |
| Merit Papers | 250 | 10% of 250 = 25 |
UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025 Merit Papers
Seven compulsory papers in the UPSC Mains are considered for preparing the final merit list. In each of the merit papers, candidates must score at least 10% otherwise, their score will not be calculated for the merit list and overall cut off for UPSC Mains. The total score for UPSC Mains merit papers is 1750 marks. The names of merit papers are as follows:- Essay
- General Studies I
- General Studies II
- General Studies III
- General Studies IV
- Optional Subject Paper I
- Optional Subject Paper II
| UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks 2025 Merit Papers | ||
| Paper | Qualifying Marks | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-I (Essay) | 10% of 250 = 25 | 250 |
| Paper-II (General Studies-I) | 10% of 250 = 25 | 250 |
| Paper-III (General Studies -II) | 10% of 250 = 25 | 250 |
| Paper-IV (General Studies -III) | 10% of 250 = 25 | 250 |
| Paper-V (General Studies -IV) | 10% of 250 = 25 | 250 |
| Paper-VI (Optional – Paper 1) | 10% of 250 = 25 | 250 |
| Paper-VII (Optional – Paper 2) | 10% of 250 = 25 | 250 |
UPSC Mains Cut Off Marks
The UPSC Mains cut-off marks are the ultimate deciding factor for candidates. Those who meet the criteria of qualifying marks for UPSC Mains are considered for the UPSC Mains cut off which is prepared category-wise out of 1750. Factors such as total vacancies, performance of candidates, and level of difficulty decide the UPSC Mains cut-off every year.| Previous Year's UPSC Mains Cut Off Marks (2024) | |
| Category | 2024 Cut off Marks |
| General | 729 |
| EWS | 696 |
| OBC | 702 |
| SC | 685 |
| ST | 684 |
| PwBD 1 | 663 |
| PwBD 2 | 696 |
| PwBD 3 | 307 |
| PwBD 5 | 361 |
UPSC Mains Qualifying Marks FAQs
How many marks are needed to qualify for UPSC Mains?
Candidates must score above cut off marks to qualify for UPSC Mains.
What are the passing marks for UPSC Mains?
The passing marks for qualifying papers are 75 out of 300 and 25 out of 250 for merit papers.
What is the qualifying percentage for the UPSC Mains exam?
The qualifying percentage for the UPSC Mains exam is 25% for qualifying papers and 10% for merit papers
What are the pass marks for the UPSC Mains?
The pass marks for UPSC Mains cut-off is usually 710+ out of 1750 marks.
What are the cut off marks for UPSC Mains?
The cut off marks for UPSC Mains are 729 for the general category.
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