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UPSC Prelims 2026 Expected Cutoff — Category-Wise Prediction

Category-wise cutoff predictions for General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS. Compare predictions across coaching institutes, view historical cutoff data from 2014-2025, and check where your score stands.

UnlockIAS Predicted Cutoff — UPSC Prelims 2026

Based on paper difficulty analysis, historical trends, and early student feedback. Updated as more data becomes available.

CategoryMin RangeExpectedMax Range
General9098 / 200108
OBC-NCL8492 / 200100
SC7280 / 20090
ST6472 / 20082
EWS8290 / 200100

Disclaimer: These are predictions based on available data and are subject to change. The actual cutoff is determined by UPSC and may differ. Predictions will be refined after the exam as more coaching institute data becomes available.

Multi-Institute Cutoff Comparison

Compare cutoff predictions from different coaching institutes. Updated as institutes release their analysis.

InstituteGeneralOBCSCSTEWS
UnlockIAS90-10884-10072-9064-8282-100
Institute A----------
Institute B----------
Institute C----------
Institute D----------
Institute predictions will be added as they become available after the exam.

Historical Cutoff Trend (2014-2025)

General category Prelims cutoff over the years. Note: 2014 cutoff was out of 400 marks (pre-CSAT qualifying era).

Interactive cutoff trend chart coming soon

Visual line chart showing year-over-year General category cutoff movement

YearGeneralOBCSCSTEWSOut ofTrend
2025Awaited----------200--
202498.6792.6782.6775.3490.00200
202377.3472.0062.6756.0072.00200
202287.5481.2170.5463.8880.88200
202187.5484.2171.5463.8878.21200
202092.5185.8574.8467.3485.85200
201998.0092.5182.0177.3490.74200
201898.0096.0084.0073.33--200
2017105.34102.6788.6783.34--200
2016116.00110.6799.3496.00--200
2015107.34106.0094.0091.34--200
2014205.00190.00172.00165.00--400--

Trend arrow shows direction compared to previous year. Red up = higher cutoff (harder to clear), Green down = lower cutoff (easier to clear). 2014 was out of 400 marks (GS+CSAT combined scoring).

Where Do You Stand?

Evaluate your GS Paper 1 answers to get your estimated score, then compare it against the predicted cutoff for your category. Know your chances before the official results.

Live Evaluation Data

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Total Evaluations

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Average Score (GS Paper 1)

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Median Score

Based on evaluations submitted on the UnlockIAS Answer Key platform. Data updates in real-time after the exam.

Plan Your Next Steps with Neil Sir

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims Cutoff

What is the expected cutoff for UPSC Prelims 2026 (General category)?
Based on the difficulty level of the paper, historical trends, and coaching institute predictions, the expected UPSC Prelims 2026 cutoff for General category is estimated to be in the range of 90-105 marks (out of 200). The exact cutoff depends on paper difficulty, number of candidates, and vacancy count. This page will be updated with more precise predictions as coaching institutes release their analysis.
How is the UPSC Prelims cutoff determined?
The UPSC Prelims cutoff is determined by UPSC based on multiple factors: (1) Difficulty level of the paper, (2) Total number of candidates who appeared, (3) Number of vacancies advertised that year, (4) Reservation norms for different categories, and (5) Normalization if applicable. Only GS Paper 1 marks count — CSAT is qualifying (33% threshold).
Is the UPSC Prelims cutoff the same for all categories?
No, the UPSC Prelims cutoff varies by category. General category has the highest cutoff, followed by EWS. OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwBD categories have progressively lower cutoffs as per reservation norms. Typically, OBC cutoff is 8-12 marks lower than General, SC is 15-25 marks lower, and ST is 20-30 marks lower.
Why do different coaching institutes predict different cutoffs?
Coaching institutes predict cutoffs based on their own methodology — some rely on student feedback about paper difficulty, others use historical regression models, and some factor in vacancy changes. There is no standard formula, which is why predictions vary. Our comparison table helps you see the range of predictions and form a realistic expectation.
How accurate are coaching institute cutoff predictions?
Coaching institute cutoff predictions are usually within a range of +/-5 to 10 marks of the actual cutoff. Predictions become more accurate in the days following the exam as more data (student responses, answer key consensus) becomes available. Our platform aggregates multiple predictions to give you the most balanced estimate.
When does UPSC release the official Prelims cutoff?
UPSC releases the official Prelims cutoff only along with the final result of the Civil Services Examination, which comes after the Mains and Interview stages — typically 12-18 months after Prelims. However, the Prelims qualifying marks (not the same as merit cutoff) are released along with the Prelims result, usually 30-45 days after the exam.
Does the UPSC Prelims cutoff change significantly year to year?
Yes, the Prelims cutoff can vary significantly. For example, the General category cutoff was 98.67 in 2024 but dropped to 77.34 in 2023 and was as high as 116 in 2016. Major factors causing fluctuations include changes in paper difficulty, the number of vacancies, and the total applicant pool.
What happens if I score exactly at the cutoff?
If your score equals the cutoff exactly, you qualify for Mains. UPSC uses tie-breaking rules when needed — candidates with the same total marks are ranked based on their marks in GS Paper 1 (which is the only paper that counts). In case of a further tie, the older candidate is placed higher.