ISRO Scientist CS Cut Off: Previous Cycle and 2026 Target

The ISRO Scientist CS cut off is the written test score that decided who was shortlisted for the interview. ISRO has not published a cut-off for the 2026 test (Advertisement No. ISRO:ICRB:03(EMC):2026) on the pages we checked, so this page uses the last official cut-off, from the 2025 written test, as a benchmark and shows how to set a target.

Two different numbers matter. The minimum qualifying marks in each part are fixed by the advertisement. The shortlisting cut-off is the lowest score among shortlisted candidates and changes every cycle.

Previous cut-off: 2025 written test (Computer Science)

ISRO published cut-off details for the written test held on 26 October 2025. The figures below are for post code BE003 (Computer Science).

The notice lists no cut-off for the PRL post (BE003A). It also does not split the cut-off into Part A and Part B, and it does not give a separate cut-off for each reserved category. The evaluation basis was 96 marks rather than 100, and the notice does not explain why. Treat these numbers as a reference for the 2025 cycle only.

Minimum qualifying marks in each part

For the same 2025 evaluation, the minimum qualifying marks for BE003 were set at 50% in each part for candidates other than PwBD, and 40% for PwBD candidates.

The 2026 advertisement keeps the same percentage rule: at least 50% in each of Part A and Part B for unreserved candidates, and 40% for PwBD candidates. The cut-off for interview shortlisting then sits well above these minimums.

What the figures tell you

• The shortlisting cut-off is about 60% of the paper: A score of 57.41 out of 96 is roughly 59.8%, far above the 50% minimum in each part.

• Minimums are a gate, not a target: Clearing 50% in each part only keeps you in contention. Ranking decides the interview call.

• Shortlisting is rank-based: The advertisement shortlists candidates in a ratio of 1:5 (minimum 10 candidates), so roughly five candidates per vacancy reach the interview.

What affects the cut-off

• Paper difficulty: A harder Part A lowers the cut-off, and an easier one raises it.

• Number of vacancies: Fewer posts reduce the number of candidates shortlisted and raise the effective bar.

• Applicants and attendance: Competition varies with the number of candidates who actually appear.

• Negative marking: Part A deducts one-third of a mark per wrong answer, so accuracy changes net scores more than raw attempts.

• Question changes after answer keys: The 2025 evaluation basis of 96 shows that the final scored marks can differ from the printed total.

How to set your target score

1. Start from the benchmark: Use about 60% of the total as the minimum shortlisting zone, based on the 2025 figure.

2. Add a margin: Aim for 68 to 72 net marks in your mocks, so a harder paper or a higher cut-off does not push you out. This margin is our planning suggestion, not an official figure.

3. Protect Part B: Keep Part B above its minimum with room to spare, since a weak Part B can cancel a strong Part A.

4. Track net marks: Count correct answers minus one-third of wrong answers in Part A.

5. Keep the interview in view: The interview carries equal weight with the written test, so a high written score alone does not settle the final result.

Cut-offs change every year with difficulty, vacancies and the number of applicants. Treat last year's figures as a benchmark only and aim for a clear margin above them. You can check your net-mark trend with ISRO Scientist CS mock tests on Testkart. The marking rules are explained on the ISRO Scientist CS exam pattern page, and the full cycle is summarised in the ISRO Scientist CS overview. The official table is available as the ISRO cut-off details notice.