UPSC Mains Total Marks Distribution 2025, Previous Year Cut-Off
Anil Solonki27 Jun, 2025
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UPSC Mains Total Marks 2025: Understanding the UPSC Mains total marks distribution is crucial for any candidates gearing up for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The UPSC Mains Total Marks Distribution 2025 is mentioned in the latest notification and divides 1750 marks among 7 qualifying papers. Keep in mind that the score of two compulsory language papers is not considered for the final merit list. Read on for UPSC Mains total marks distribution and past cut-offs!
UPSC Mains Total Marks 2025
The UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 is a crucial stage in the selection process, which consists of nine papers with a total of 1750 marks contributing to the final merit. These papers can be divided into:
Qualifying Papers: Paper A (Indian Language) and Paper B (English) are qualifying in nature. Candidates need to score at least 25% in each to have their other papers evaluated.
Merit-Based Papers: The remaining seven papers (Essay, GS I-IV, Optional Paper I, and Optional Paper II) are evaluated to calculate the final score out of 1750 marks.
The marks of merit-based papers are added to the score of the interview stage, which carries 275 marks, making the UPSC total marks 2025.
| UPSC Mains Total Marks | 1750 |
| Interview (Personality Test) | 275 |
| UPSC Final Marks Total | 2025 |
Also Read: UPSC Mains Books
UPSC Mains Marks Distribution 2025 Paper Wise
The UPSC Mains Total Marks Distribution 2025 outlines the structure and allocation of marks for the IAS Mains exam stage. The Mains exam consists of nine papers, evaluating a wide range of subjects, including General Studies, Essay writing, and optional subjects, along with language proficiency. The following is the detailed breakdown of the UPSC Mains Total Marks Distribution 2025.
| Paper | Subject | Total Marks |
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics) | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 |
| Total | 1750 |
UPSC Mains Cut-Off
The UPSC Mains total marks of 1750 play a critical role in determining the final merit list. Candidates who meet the cut-off are eligible for the interview round. The cut-off marks vary yearly based on the difficulty level and the number of vacancies. Here’s last year's UPSC Mains Cut-Off:| Category | UPSC Mains Cut-Off Marks 2024 |
| General | 729 |
| EWS | 696 |
| OBC | 702 |
| SC | 685 |
| ST | 684 |
| PwBD 1 | 663 |
| PwBD 2 | 696 |
| PwBD 3 | 307 |
| PwBD 5 | 361 |
UPSC Mains Penalty Marks
While the UPSC Mains doesn’t have negative marking like the Prelims, candidates can still lose marks due to avoidable mistakes. These "penalty marks" are basically a score deducted from the obtained marks and can significantly affect your score. Here are the key reasons for mark deductions:
- Wrong Language Usage: Writing answers in a language not selected in your application may lead to non-evaluation of those answers.
- Illegible Handwriting: Poor handwriting can result in skipped or misunderstood answers, leading to lower marks.
- Off-topic Answers: Irrelevant or unfocused content in place of an answer may lead to a mark deduction.
- Violation of Exam Instructions: Overuse of underlining, use of symbols, writing personal identifiers, or improper formatting can attract scrutiny or disqualification.
Strategies to Maximize Your UPSC Mains Total Marks
With high competition and unpredictable cut-offs, a strategic approach is essential. Candidates can follow the given preparation- Thorough Revision: Regularly revise General Studies, optional subjects, and current affairs.
- Practice Essays: Improve writing skills by practicing different essay topics.
- Mock Tests: Simulate the actual exam environment with mock tests and solve previous years’ papers.
- Ethics & Case Studies: Develop critical thinking for GS IV, as it can greatly influence your score.
- Optional Papers: Choose an optional subject that aligns with your strengths.
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Prelims Questions | UPSC Prelims Marking Scheme | UPSC Mains Admit Card |
| UPSC Mains Exam Pattern | UPSC IFoS Syllabus | UPSC Result 2024 |
UPSC Mains Total Marks 2025 FAQs
How many papers are in the UPSC Mains?
What are the UPSC Mains total marks for 2025?
What is the score of qualifying papers in UPSC Mains 2025?
How is the final UPSC score calculated?
How does the interview influence the final UPSC score?
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