Paper 2 threshold · 66.67 marks · 33% of 200
UPSC CSAT Qualifying Marks
To clear UPSC Prelims, you must score strictly more than 66.67 marks in CSAT (Paper 2) — that's 33% of 200 marks. CSAT is a qualifying paper: your marks here do not add to your Prelims merit, but failing to cross 66.67 disqualifies you entirely, regardless of how well you did in GS Paper 1. This page explains the qualifying threshold, the marking scheme, and common scenarios.
Threshold
66.67 marks (strictly above) — equal to 33% of 200.
Per question
+2.5 correct, −2.5/3 wrong, 0 skipped.
Number of Qs
80 multiple-choice in Paper 2.
Doesn't add to merit
Only GS Paper 1 marks count for the cutoff.
What does 66.67 mean exactly?
The threshold is strictly greater than 66.67 marks out of 200. That's 33.33% of the maximum. Equivalently, you need a minimum of roughly 27 net correct answers (after negative marking) to cross the threshold.
Worked example: if you answered 30 correctly, 5 wrong, and 45 unattempted, your CSAT score is 30 × 2.5 − 5 × 0.833 = 75 − 4.17 = 70.83 marks. That's above 66.67, so you qualify.
What happens if I don't clear CSAT?
If your CSAT score is ≤ 66.67 marks, your entire Prelims attempt is disqualified — your GS Paper 1 score is not evaluated even if it's above the merit cutoff. You'd need to attempt again in the next cycle.
This is why most successful aspirants treat CSAT as a must-clear safety net: aim for at least 80-100 marks comfortably, rather than gambling on the exact 66.67 threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CSAT qualifying mark always 66.67?
Yes — it has remained 33% of 200 marks throughout. UPSC has not changed this threshold since CSAT was made qualifying-only in 2015.
Does negative marking apply to CSAT?
Yes. Each wrong answer in CSAT deducts 2.5/3 marks (about 0.833). Unattempted questions score zero.
How many questions are in CSAT?
80 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours. Total marks: 200.
What subjects are in CSAT?
Comprehension, interpersonal skills (including communication), logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision-making and problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy (Class X level), data interpretation.
If CSAT is qualifying, why does it still matter?
Because it's a strict gate — fail CSAT and your entire Prelims is invalid. Many aspirants who scored well in GS have been disqualified due to overconfidence on CSAT.
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