The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a dream for millions of Indians. Known for its rigorous selection process, the exam is a gateway to the most prestigious careers in India including IAS, IPS, IFS and other allied services. The 2024 cycle has been no exception with the Mains results eagerly awaited by aspirants nationwide. It determines eligibility for the final round—the Personality Test or Interview. The Mains stage of the UPSC CSE 2024 was conducted from September 20 to 29.
What is the UPSC CSE?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination to recruit candidates for prestigious positions in All India Services like IAS, IPS, and IFS, as well as Central Services. The exam is divided into three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: Objective-type questions.
- Mains Examination: Descriptive questions across multiple subjects.
- Personality Test/Interview: Final stage to assess the candidate’s suitability for administrative roles.
What Is the UPSC CSE Mains Result?
The Mains result reflects candidates’ performance in the written exam. It is a merit-based list of roll numbers of those who qualify for the Personality Test. The result is released as a PDF on the official UPSC website and other trusted platforms.
Key Features:
- Nine Papers in Mains: Seven papers contribute to merit ranking and two are qualifying in nature.
- Merit Papers: Cover essays, general studies and optional subjects.
| Component | Marks | Weightage in Final Score (%) |
| Mains Exam | 1750 | ~86% |
| Personality Test | 275 | ~14% |
| Total | 2025 | 100% |
The result sets the stage for the interview, carrying 275 marks.
UPSC CSE 2024 Timeline
| Event | Date |
| Notification Released | February 2024 |
| Prelims Exam | May 2024 |
| Mains Exam | September 2024 |
| Mains Result | Expected in December 2024 |
| Personality Test | January–March 2025 |
Candidates qualifying for the Mains are shortlisted from a pool of thousands based on rigorous evaluation criteria.
UPSC Mains Result Date 2024
The official date for the UPSC Mains Result 2024 is yet to be announced. However, based on previous trends, the result is expected to be declared in late November or early December 2024.
Below is a comparison of past result announcements to estimate the timeline for 2024:
| UPSC Mains Exam Year | Exam Dates | Result Date |
| UPSC Mains 2024 | 20-29 September 2024 | November/December 2024
(EXPECTED) |
| UPSC Mains 2023 | 15-24 September 2023 | 8th December 2023 |
| UPSC Mains 2022 | 16-25 September 2022 | 6th December 2022 |
| UPSC Mains 2021 | 7-16 January 2022 | 17th March 2022 |
| UPSC Mains 2020 | 8-17 January 2021 | 23rd March 2021 |
Most UPSC Mains exams are held in September except for disruptions due to the pandemic.
Typically, results are declared 2–3 months after the exam dates.
Results may be delayed due to the volume of candidates and administrative processes.
Statistical Trends
The approximate number of vacancies for UPSC CSE 2024 is 1056 which includes 40 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category. UPSC Civil Services Examination has two categories for the division of posts- Group A and Group B.
Over the years, the UPSC Mains results have reflected high competition and limited vacancies. Let’s analyze the trends.
Vacancies and Success Ratio
| Year | Total Candidates Appeared (Mains) | Qualified for Interview | Final Vacancies |
| 2023 | ~14,000 | ~2,400 | 1,105 |
| 2022 | ~13,500 | ~2,200 | 1,022 |
| 2021 | ~10,000 | ~1,800 | 712 |
The success ratio from the Mains stage to the final selection is approximately 15–20%. The number of vacancies significantly impacts the cut-off marks each year.
UPSC Mains Result Cutoff Marks of Previous Years
Candidates who meet or exceed the cutoff marks in the UPSC Mains Examination are shortlisted for the Personality Test (Interview). These cutoff marks vary each year and are influenced by factors such as the difficulty level of the question paper, the number of vacancies and the number of candidates appearing for the exam.
Below is a table presenting the cutoff marks for the last five years across various categories:
| Year | General (GM) | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PWD-1 | PWD-2 | PWD-3 | PWD-5 |
| 2023 | 741 | 706 | 712 | 694 | 692 | 673 | 718 | 396 | 445 |
| 2022 | 748 | 715 | 714 | 699 | 706 | 677 | 706 | 351 | 419 |
| 2021 | 745 | 713 | 707 | 700 | 700 | 688 | 712 | 388 | 560 |
| 2020 | 736 | 687 | 698 | 680 | 682 | 648 | 699 | 425 | 300 |
| 2019 | 751 | 696 | 718 | 706 | 699 | 663 | 698 | 374 | 561 |
Analysis of Trends in Cutoff Marks
General Category: The cutoff has been consistently above 735, peaking in 2019 at 751.
EWS Category: The cutoffs have remained slightly lower than the General category with minimal fluctuations across years.
OBC, SC, ST Categories: The gap between these categories and the General category is narrow indicating high competitiveness.
PWD Categories: The cutoff marks for Persons with Disabilities show significant variability particularly for PWD-3 and PWD-5.
Factors Influencing Cutoff Marks
Difficulty of the Examination: A tougher question paper generally leads to a lower cutoff.
Number of Vacancies: A higher number of vacancies can lower the cutoff due to increased selections.
Number of Candidates: Higher competition often increases the cutoff marks.
Tips for Candidates
Ensure answers are structured, relevant and backed by data/examples.
Analyze Trends: Use previous cutoff trends as benchmarks but aim higher for better certainty.
Prepare for Variability: Account for yearly variations in cutoffs and difficulty.
What Happens After the Mains Result?
The Mains result is a precursor to the Personality Test also known as the Interview. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
Document Verification
Candidates must provide:
- Proof of age
- Educational certificates
- Community certificate (if applicable)
- EWS/PwD certificates (if applicable)
Interview Call
Candidates are called in batches for interviews conducted at the UPSC office in New Delhi.
Interview schedules are shared via email and the official UPSC website.
How to Prepare for the Interview?
The Personality Test assesses suitability for civil services. The key focus areas include analytical ability, presence of mind and personality traits.
Preparation Tips
| Aspect | How to Prepare |
| Current Affairs | Read newspapers and monthly compilations by APTIPLUS Academy. |
| Mock Interviews | Attend at least 5–6 mock sessions to build confidence. For eg: Students can join APTIPLUS IAS Interview Guidance Program. |
| Hobbies | Be prepared to discuss hobbies or interests mentioned in the Detailed Application Form (DAF). |
| Soft Skills | Practice speaking clearly and maintaining a confident demeanor. |
Insights from Previous Toppers
Learning from past toppers can provide valuable strategies:
| Topper | Year | Key Advice |
| Tina Dabi | 2015 | “Stay calm during interviews and treat the process as a discussion, not interrogation.” |
| Athar Aamir Khan | 2016 | “Prepare thoroughly from your DAF; it forms the backbone of interview questions.” |
| Anudeep Durishetty | 2017 | “Focus on balanced answers with ethical grounding.” |
Common Challenges
The waiting period for results can be stressful.
Solution: Utilize this time for structured interview preparation focusing on areas like ethics, governance and hypothetical scenarios.
Fear of Facing the Panel
The panel consists of seasoned professionals who may ask probing questions.
Solution: Treat mock interviews as practice sessions to build resilience and poise.
Unpredictable Questions
UPSC interviews are known for their unpredictability.
Solution: Focus on being calm and giving structured answers. Acknowledge what you don’t know honestly and confidently.
Way Forward for Aspirants
Success in the UPSC exam is a journey of persistence and strategy. Here’s how to make the most of your preparation:
Follow trusted resources like APTIPLUS for curated content.
Focus equally on technical knowledge and soft skills.
Engage with peers and mentors to gain diverse perspectives.
Conclusion
The UPSC CSE 2024 Mains result is not just a milestone but a testament to an aspirant’s resilience and dedication. While it signifies progress it also brings fresh challenges in the form of the Personality Test. For aspirants, the journey doesn’t end here—it’s a continuous process of learning, adapting and growing.
With a well-rounded preparation strategy and focus, success is within reach. Stay positive and make the most of every opportunity to shine. Best of luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on UPSC CSE Mains 2024 Result
When will the UPSC Mains Result 2024 be declared?
The official date is not yet announced, but it is expected in late November or early December 2024 based on previous trends.
Where can I check the UPSC Mains Result 2024?
The result will be available on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) in PDF format.
What details are included in the UPSC Mains Result PDF?
The PDF lists the roll numbers of candidates who qualify for the Personality Test. It does not include marks or rank details at this stage.
How many candidates typically qualify for the Personality Test?
Approximately 2–3 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted for the interview stage. For example, in 2023, around 2,400 candidates were shortlisted for approximately 1,100 vacancies.
Can the result be challenged if there’s an error?
No, the UPSC result process is final, and no re-evaluation requests are entertained. However, candidates may contact UPSC for queries related to roll numbers or discrepancies in documents.
What documents are required for the Personality Test?
Candidates must present proof of age, educational qualifications, community certificates (if applicable), and the Detailed Application Form (DAF).
What happens after the Mains result?
Candidates qualifying for the Mains appear for the Personality Test or Interview, which carries 275 marks.
How long is the gap between the Mains result and the Personality Test?
The gap is typically 4–6 weeks. For example, if the result is declared in December 2024, interviews may begin in January 2025.
Is there a sectional cut-off in the UPSC Mains Exam?
No. The Mains cut-off is based on the total marks of all merit-based papers excluding the two qualifying papers (Language and English). Though we don’t have a separate cutoff for all papers but a minimum of 10% is required to be scored by candidate in all 7 papers, i.e. you should have a minimum of 25 marks in every paper.
What should candidates focus on after the Mains result?
Candidates should prepare for the Personality Test by practicing current affairs, revising their DAF thoroughly and attending mock interviews for confidence building.
How are Mains marks calculated?
UPSC evaluates answers based on structure, coherence, and originality. The seven merit-based papers carry 1750 marks in total.
What is the significance of optional subjects?
Optional subjects can be game-changers as they allow candidates to score high with in-depth preparation.
Is the Personality Test purely subjective?
Yes, it focuses on gauging personality, decision-making and suitability for administrative roles.
