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UPSC Civil Services Examination — Prelims
UPSC CSE Prelims. Two papers: GS Paper 1 (100 Qs, 200 marks, 2 hours) and CSAT (80 Qs, 200 marks, qualifying).
Updated 20 Aug 2026 ·Vacancy counts change every cycle — always confirm the exact number in the latest official notification before applying.
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Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
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Current Events of National and International ImportanceThe Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, launched in September 2023, aims to support which category of workers?
Tap an option to check your answer.
Start with a diagnostic
10 questions across the syllabus to see where you stand.
Verified against the official notification. Source ↗ · last reconciled 2026-05.
Historical cutoffs are a guide, not a prediction. Use them to set a realistic target, not to predict next year's exact number.
CSAT (Paper 2) is qualifying — minimum 33%. Only Paper 1 score determines the Mains cut.
| Year | Category | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | General | 75.41 |
| 2023 | OBC | 74.75 |
| 2023 | EWS | 68.02 |
| 2023 | SC | 59.25 |
| 2023 | ST | 47.82 |
| 2022 | General | 88.22 |
| 2022 | OBC | 87.54 |
| 2022 | EWS | 82.83 |
| 2022 | SC | 74.08 |
| 2022 | ST | 69.35 |
| 2021 | General | 87.54 |
| 2021 | OBC | 84.85 |
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
Topic-by-topic weightage averaged across 2021-2024 papers. Use this to decide where to invest study hours, not where to skim. Source ↗ · verified 2026-05.
200/200 marks avg
Polity & Governance
History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Art & Culture)
Geography (Indian + World, Physical, Human, Economic)
Economy (Indian Economy, Inclusive Growth, Budgeting)
Environment & Ecology
Science & Technology
Approximate starting gross at an X-class (metro) posting. Actual pay depends on post, city, year of joining and prevailing DA.
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
2025
20 questions
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20 questions
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20 questions
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20 questions
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20 questions
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General Studies Paper I
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Students
7
Mocks taken
11
Average score
21%
Top score
47%
What can I get from UPSC Prelims?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
Outstanding performance — top 1-2% bracket
90–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
UPSC has released the Civil Services Mains 2026 admit card on August 14. The Mains examination will be conducted from August 21 to 30, 2026 across 27 centres in India.
UPSC declared the CSE Prelims 2026 result on June 15, with 13,343 candidates qualifying for the Mains examination against 1,016 vacancies. Qualified candidates submitted DAF-1 between June 19-28, 2026.
In a historic first, UPSC released the provisional answer key for CSE Prelims 2026 on May 27, just three days after the exam. Candidates could submit objections via the QPRep portal until May 31.
Tap any topic for its study notes + a 10-question topic test
Current Events of National and International Importance
National and international news of the last 12-18 months including government schemes, summits, awards, sports, science, defence and international relations.
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian history covering ancient, medieval and modern periods with special emphasis on the Indian freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947.
Indian and World Geography — Physical, Social, Economic
Physical, social and economic geography of India and the world.
Indian Polity and Governance — Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues
Indian Constitution, governance structures, political system, local government and rights issues.
| 2021 | EWS | 80.14 |
| 2021 | SC | 75.41 |
| 2021 | ST | 70.71 |
Current Affairs (last 12 months)
UPSC weaves current affairs into every static topic — the apparent 'low' static weight is misleading.
Exceptional Prelims score — IAS contenders
82–90% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Top Prelims performers — Mains frontrunners
72–82% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Comfortable Prelims clear — strong foundation
62–72% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Prelims qualifier — Mains preparation needed
50–62% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Borderline qualifying range
33–50% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Below qualifying threshold
0–33% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
Notification released
passedWed, 4 Feb, 2026
933 vacancies announced for IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services
Application window opens
passedWed, 4 Feb, 2026
Application window closes
passedFri, 27 Feb, 2026
Extended from original deadline of February 24
Application correction window
passedSat, 28 Feb, 2026
Correction facility available from February 28 to March 3, 2026
🏛️Civil Services Preliminary Examination
passedSun, 24 May, 2026
🏛️Prelims Examination
passedSun, 24 May, 2026
GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2 conducted in two shifts
Provisional answer key released
passedWed, 27 May, 2026
First time UPSC released provisional answer key before result; objections accepted till May 31
Prelims Result declared
passedMon, 15 Jun, 2026
13,343 candidates qualified for Mains against 1,016 vacancies
Mains Admit Card released
passedFri, 14 Aug, 2026
Available at upsconline.nic.in
🏛️Mains Examination
passedFri, 21 Aug, 2026
Exam scheduled for August 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2026; two sessions daily
Economic and Social Development
Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives, and the broader Indian economy.