Embarking on the journey to become a civil servant through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) requires a clear understanding of its marking scheme. Grasping the nuances of negative marking and scoring can significantly influence your preparation strategy and performance.
Key Highlights
- Organization Name: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Examination Name: Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025
- Stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Personality Test (Interview)
- Preliminary Exam Papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)
- Negative Marking: Applicable in Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination: Descriptive papers with no negative marking
- Qualifying Papers in Mains: Indian Language and English
- Personality Test Marks: 275
- Official Website: upsc.gov.in
Preliminary Examination 
The Preliminary Examination serves as the first filter in the UPSC CSE selection process. It comprises two objective-type papers conducted on the same day.
General Studies Paper-I
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 200
- Marks per Question: 2
- Negative Marking: 0.66 marks deducted for each incorrect answer
- Duration: 2 hours
Note: Unanswered questions do not attract any penalty.
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)
- Total Questions: 80
- Total Marks: 200
- Marks per Question: 2.5
- Negative Marking: 0.83 marks deducted for each incorrect answer
- Duration: 2 hours
Important: CSAT is a qualifying paper; candidates must secure at least 33% (66 marks) to pass. Marks obtained in CSAT are not counted towards the merit for the Preliminary stage.
Main Examination 
Candidates who clear the Preliminary stage advance to the Main Examination, which is descriptive in nature.
Structure of the Main Examination
- Qualifying Papers:
- Paper A: Indian Language – 300 marks
- Paper B: English – 300 marks
- Papers Counted for Merit:
- Essay: 250 marks General Studies Papers I-IV: 250 marks each Optional Subject Papers I & II: 250 marks each
Note: There is no negative marking in the Main Examination as it consists of descriptive papers.
Personality Test (Interview) 
Upon clearing the Main Examination, candidates are invited for the Personality Test, which carries 275 marks. This stage evaluates attributes such as:
- Communication Skills
- Decision-Making Ability
- Leadership Qualities
- Integrity
The final ranking is determined by combining the marks obtained in the Main Examination (1,750 marks) and the Personality Test (275 marks), totaling 2,025 marks.
Tips to Navigate Negative Marking Effectively
- Accuracy Over Attempts: Prioritize answering questions you are confident about to minimize negative marking.
- Educated Guesses: If you can eliminate one or more options, a calculated guess might be beneficial.
- Time Management: Allocate time wisely to ensure you can attempt questions accurately without rushing.
- Regular Practice: Engage in mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and to develop effective strategies.
Understanding the intricacies of the UPSC CSE marking scheme, especially the aspects of negative marking, is crucial for aspirants aiming to succeed in this prestigious examination.