What is the Qualifying Marks for UPSC GS Paper 1?

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination is a very competitive exam in India. Lakhs of candidates take this exam annually, and only a minor percentage of them pass to the next round, which is the Mains. UPSC GS Paper 1 is the first paper of the Prelims and is very important in deciding the further selection of the candidate.

However, the question that begs answers is, what is the cut-off mark of UPSC GS Paper 1? Let us look into this in detail, along with handy information regarding cut-offs, preparation tips, and frequently asked questions.

Overview of UPSC GS Paper 1

UPSC GS Paper 1 belongs to the Civil Services Preliminary Examination. It examines the knowledge of a candidate in disciplines such as History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science and Technology, Environment, and Current Affairs. Paper 1 and not Paper 2 (CSAT) is the one that is used to calculate the cut-off to clear Prelims.

What are the Qualifying Marks for UPSC GS Paper 1?

Unlike CSAT (Paper 2), which has a fixed qualifying mark of 33% (i.e., 66 out of 200), UPSC GS Paper 1 has no fixed qualifying percentage. Instead, the cut-off for Paper 1 varies every year based on several factors such as:

• Number of vacancies

• Number of candidates appearing

• Difficulty level of the paper

• Performance of candidates

On average, UPSC GS Paper 1 cut-off ranges between 90 and 110 marks out of 200 for the General category. Let’s look at the cut-off trend below.

Read More: UPSC GS Paper 2 Mock Test Insights: What Toppers Do Differently

UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Cut-off: Last 7 Years

As seen above, the qualifying mark (cut-off) for UPSC GS Paper 1 has been mostly hovering around 90–105 marks for the General Category in recent years. It’s important to note that scoring just above the cut-off may still not be safe, as normalization and tie-breaking factors can come into play.

Why is GS Paper 1 Critical in UPSC Prelims?

Most applicants pay more attention to CSAT because it is qualifying, yet in the actual sense, it is GS Paper 1 that determines your destiny in Prelims. This essay demands an enormous knowledge of various topics and constant re-editing.

It is very much advisable to use materials such as UPSC GS Paper 1 mock test, UPSC sample papers, and NCERT all in one book to cover static and dynamic parts.

What happens if I score below cut-off in GS Paper 1?

You would not be able to appear the Mains stage even after clearing the CSAT Paper 2, in case you score less than the cut-off in GS Paper 1. GS Paper 1 is the paper that decides your merit and so in case you score less than the cut-off marks, you are out of the Civil Services race that year. This is why a good practice with UPSC GS Paper 1 mock test is necessary to be accurate and fast.

Is there a sectional cut-off in UPSC GS Paper 1?

No, there is no sectional cut-off in UPSC GS Paper 1. All 100 questions contribute to the total score, and the total score alone determines whether you clear the cut-off. You are free to choose your strong areas—be it Polity, History, or Environment—and maximize your score.

However, many aspirants follow the strategy of attempting a minimum of 85–90 questions with 80% accuracy, often by practicing UPSC sample papers and analyzing errors.

Are NCERTs enough to clear GS Paper 1?

NCERTs form an excellent base but cannot stand on their own. They are clear in simple concepts, particularly in History, Geography, Polity, and Economics. Having said that, the best way is to mix the NCERT all in one book with current affairs and standard reference material. In addition, UPSC books enable one to address sophisticated issues and analytical questions that tend to be asked during the examination.

Can solving mock tests help increase my score?

Absolutely. When you solve UPSC GS Paper 1 mock test on a regular basis, this not only enhances your time management but also gives you an insight into areas where you are weak at. Mock tests will give you a feel of the real exam pressure and prepare you not to be caught by negative marking. Most toppers say that they just practiced UPSC sample papers and mocks regularly and ended up scoring 1520 marks more in their Prelims.

What is a safe score in GS Paper 1?

Considering the unpredictability of the paper and variation in cut-offs, a safe score for General category candidates is at least 105–110 marks. For OBC and EWS, aiming above 100 is advisable. This buffer accounts for unexpected drops in performance or misreading of questions.

Effective Preparation Strategy for GS Paper 1

To score well in Paper 1, you need a balance between the static syllabus and current affairs. Here's how aspirants can prepare effectively:

Static Portion Strategy:

• Read NCERTs from Class 6–12 to strengthen basics.

• Use the NCERT all in one book for quick revision.

• Regularly solve UPSC sample papers to revise static content.

• Make topic-wise short notes for History, Polity, and Geography.

Dynamic Portion Strategy:

• Read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express daily.

• Use monthly current affairs compilations.

• Practice current affairs-based questions from UPSC GS Paper 1 mock test series.

Ideal Daily Study Plan for GS Paper 1 (With Mock Practice)

Follow this plan 90 days and you will measure an improvement in accuracy as well as conceptual understanding.

GS Paper 1 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Excessive focus on facts- It is more important to know concepts than to mug up facts.

2. Neglecting PYQs -Previous year questions depict the pattern and thinking of UPSC.

3. Not analyzing – Simply doing mock tests without analyzing errors will be of no use.

4. Lack of equal preparation- Not paying attention to Environment or Art & Culture may prove expensive.

For UPSC Online Mock Test Sample Papers and Latest Courses for Latest Exam  

For UPSC Online Previous Year Question Papers for the Latest Exam 

Final Thoughts

The cut-off marks of UPSC GS Paper 1 are dynamic and are dependent on several factors. The aspirants need to score higher than 105 to be on the safer end of the cut-off. The preparation should be extensive, including NCERTs, standard texts, UPSC sample papers, and UPSC GS Paper 1 mock test series.

The trick is to be consistent. Be it the NCERT all in one book or multiple UPSC books, revision daily and taking up mock tests frequently will be the game changer.