Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims: How It Works and What You Need to Know

Introduction

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is not a small task. Every mark counts, and one wrong answer can bring the candidate under the cut-off. Therefore, one of the most important aspects every student needs to understand is negative marking for UPSC Prelims. If you don’t fully know how it works, you may lose marks unnecessarily

In this blog, we will explore the concept of negative marking in UPSC, including its application in Paper 1 and Paper 2, and offer advice to help prevent errors.

Does UPSC Prelims Have Negative Marking?

Yes, negative marking in prelims UPSC is an important part of the scoring system. Both Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (CSAT) have negative marking. For every wrong answer, one-third (1/3rd) of the marks allotted to the question is deducted.

• If a question is 2 marks, then the penalty for a wrong answer is 0.67 marks.
• If a question is 2.5 marks, then the penalty for a wrong answer is 0.83 marks.

So the penalty is always 1/3 of the marks for that question.

This is why random guessing can be dangerous. Even a few wrong answers can average your overall room score down.

Also Read:- https://kpriasacademy.in/previous-year-questions/

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims, Mains & Interview: Complete Guide

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims Paper 1 (General Studies)

Paper 1 is the General Studies (GS) paper, consisting of 100 questions worth 200 marks. Each correct answer is worth 2 marks, and for each wrong answer, 0.66 marks are deducted.

• Correct Answer = +2 marks
• Wrong Answer = -0.66 marks
• Unanswered = 0 marks

This means accuracy is crucial. Many aspirants try to attempt all 100 questions, but even 10 wrong answers could cost you more than 6.6 marks, which is enough to make or break your cut-off.

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims Paper 2 (CSAT)

Paper 2, also called the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test), is qualifying in nature. Candidates need only 33% marks (66 out of 200) to pass. However, negative marking in UPSC prelims paper 2 still applies.

Each CSAT question carries 2.5 marks, and a wrong answer costs you 0.83 marks.

• Correct Answer = +2.5 marks
• Wrong Answer = -0.83 marks

Even though Paper 2 is qualifying, don’t underestimate it. Many aspirants fail here due to careless mistakes.

Negative Marking in UPSC Mains Exam

One of the biggest reliefs for aspirants is that there is no negative marking in UPSC Mains. Unlike PRELIMS, where each wrong answer may have your scoring deducted, the Mains is descriptive. Here you write answers in essay style or long format and every attempt is judged on content, clarity, structure and analysis.

This does not mean you can write irrelevant content just to take up excess space. Examiners will know when you are going off-topic or poor writing will lose you marks. Concentrate on quality, clear presentation, and use of relevant examples.

Negative Marking in the UPSC Interview (Personality Exam)

Much like the Mains, the UPSC Interview is not negative marking. The Interview is not right or wrong, but based on testing your personality, your confidence, your communication, and your presence of mind. The board assesses not just how you think, but how you react under pressure, and how you theorize.

Being overly confident, stating incorrect facts confidently or dodging questions, will affect your score. The interview is worth 275 points, so an even small error in your attitude, body language or behavior may lessen your score, and chances.

Also Read:-https://kpriasacademy.in/product/personality-test/

How to Handle Negative Marking in UPSC

Here are some practical tips to reduce negative marking in UPSC:

1. Avoid Blind Guesswork

If you have absolutely no idea about the answer, leave the question. Negative marking means guessing can do more harm than good.

2. Use Elimination Technique

Often, you can eliminate 2 wrong options confidently. If you can narrow it down to 50-50, then calculated risk-taking is possible.

3. Focus on Accuracy

Practice mock tests regularly. The more accurate your answers are, the less you’ll suffer from penalties.

4. Time Management

Sometimes, wrong answers happen due to rushing. Don’t panic during the exam, stay calm and think through.

5. Revise Before Marking OMR

Marking the wrong bubble is a common mistake. Always double-check before filling the OMR sheet.

Common Mistakes Students Make

• Attempting all questions: Attempting more means scoring more is not a thing in UPSC, as marks are rewarded based on accuracy, not quantity.
• Ignoring CSAT: Paper 2 is qualifying, so many students neglect it, but it is important to be mindful that the negative marking scheme for UPSC CSAT could very well make you fail.
• Not practising mocks: Understanding the marking scheme is all well and good, but unless you practice mocks in an exam situation, you won’t be prepared for the exam.

Conclusion

Negative marking in the UPSC Prelims can be both beneficial and risky because it rewards accuracy and punishes careless mistakes. Both General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2 have a 1/3rd penalty for each wrong answer, with the exception that the marks lost per each incorrect answers differ.

Rather than being forced to guess, develop good concepts, an elimination process, and remain calm under pressure in order to escape feeling disadvantaged by negative marking, while maximizing your total score.

If you are serious about cracking the Civil Services Exam, you could also attend UPSC classes in Coimbatore or other trusted coaching centers where learning within an organized option and taking mock tests can assist you in developing both accuracy and a good sense of timing.

FAQ

1. How to calculate 1/3 negative marking in UPSC?
For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the question’s marks is deducted. Example: If a question carries 2 marks, wrong answer = –0.66.

2. What is the meaning of 1/3 negative marking?
It means one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be cut if answered incorrectly.

3. What is one-third of 2.5 marks?
One-third of 2.5 = 0.83 marks (approx).

4. What is the negative marking in UPSC Prelims?
In GS Paper-I, wrong answers = –0.66 marks. In CSAT Paper-II, wrong answers = –0.83 marks.

5. How much negative marking in UPSC?
Every wrong answer = 1/3rd mark deduction. No negative marking for unanswered questions.

6. Does UPSC Prelims have negative marking?
Yes, the Prelims exam has 1/3 negative marking for wrong answers.

7. How UPSC do negative marking?
UPSC subtracts 1/3rd of the total marks of a question for each wrong answer.

8.What is the negative marking in UPSC Prelims?
–0.66 marks per wrong answer in GS Paper-I, –0.83 marks per wrong answer in CSAT Paper-II.

9. 1/3 negative marking means in UPSC?
It means if you answer wrong, you lose one-third of the marks of that question.