UPSC Mains 2025 vs 2024 — Cut Off, Difficulty & Selection Ratio Comparison

UPSC Mains examinations for 2024 and 2025 show interesting trends in cut-off marks, exam difficulty, and selection ratios that every aspirant should understand to plan their preparation effectively. The comparison of UPSC Mains cut off for these years gives insight into how the examination standards and competition levels fluctuate, affecting the final selection.

What Are The UPSC Mains Cut Off Trends for 2024 and 2025?

The UPSC Mains cut off marks serve as the minimum qualifying scores required to move to the interview stage. For 2025, the expected cut off for the General category is between 720 and 735, which is a slight decrease compared to 729 in 2024. Other categories like OBC, SC, ST, and EWS also show similar patterns with a gradual dip in cut off marks compared to the previous year. This decline aligns with the exam’s difficulty and candidate performance trends. Exam takers can benefit from reviewing these cut off trends over the past five years to have a realistic preparation goal and understand the competition better.

How Does Exam Difficulty Affect UPSC Mains Cut Off?

The difficulty level of the UPSC Mains exam plays a crucial role in determining cut off marks. A tougher paper generally results in lower cut off scores, while an easier exam leads to higher cut off marks. Between 2024 and 2025, variations in paper difficulty across subjects influenced candidates’ performances and thus adjusted the cut offs slightly downward in 2025. Aspirants should observe these fluctuations to pace their study plan and focus on strengthening weaker areas to meet qualifying standards.

What Does The Selection Ratio Tell Us About UPSC Mains?

The selection ratio, which is the proportion of candidates qualifying mains to those appearing for prelims, hints at the competitiveness of each year’s exam. Though exact final figures for 2025 are pending, comparing 2024’s snapshot can provide clues. As cut offs slightly decline in 2025, it can indicate either a harder exam or fewer vacancies impacting selection. Knowing this helps candidates stay motivated and refine their strategies to secure a better rank in the overall merit list.

Category-Wise Cut Off: Comparing 2024 and 2025 Expectation

Category-specific cut-offs are critical for aspirants to gauge the competition within their categories. Here’s a simplified overview:

These ranges suggest a slight downward adjustment in 2025, possibly due to exam difficulty and overall candidate performance, encouraging aspirants to maintain steady preparation without complacency.