JKSSB SI Cut Off: Previous Cycle Record and How to Set Your Target

The JKSSB SI cut off is the lowest written test score at which a candidate in a given category is shortlisted for the physical tests or finally selected as Sub Inspector in J&K Police. For the current cycle under Advertisement Notification No. 02 of 2024 (669 posts), the written test is scheduled for 29 November 2026, so no cut-off exists yet.

This page explains how JKSSB actually shortlisted and selected candidates in the previous SI cycle, why you should be careful with cut-off figures you find online, and how to set a realistic target score in the new 200-mark pattern.

Table of Contents

How the Cut-off Works in JKSSB SI

There are two cut-off points in practice, and both are category-wise:

• Shortlisting cut-off: After the written test, JKSSB calls a fixed multiple of the vacancies in each category for the PST and PET. The last candidate called in each category sets this cut-off.

• Final selection cut-off: After the physical tests, document verification and medical, the selection list is drawn up by category-wise merit of the written test, with NCC weightage where it applies.

PST and PET are qualifying, so they do not change your rank. Your written score decides both cut-off points.

Previous Cycle Record

The last completed SI recruitment ran under Advertisement Notification No. 06 of 2021 for 1,200 posts. Its record shows how the process works.

With nearly one lakh candidates appearing for 1,200 posts, competition was close to 80 candidates per post. The current cycle has 669 posts, so competition for each seat could be tighter if the number of applicants is similar.

Why There Is No Official Cut-off Table

For the 2021 cycle, JKSSB published shortlisting lists with candidates' scores, and then the selection list. It did not publish a separate category-wise cut-off table. That cycle also used a different pattern from the current 100-question, 200-mark test.

So any "JKSSB SI cut-off" table you see online is either derived by someone from those lists or estimated. Neither is official, and figures from the old pattern cannot be compared directly with the new one. Cut-offs change every year with difficulty, vacancies and the number of applicants. Treat any figure as a benchmark only, and aim for a clear margin above it rather than a bare pass.

What Affects the Cut-off

• Vacancies per category: ALC/IB has only 27 posts this cycle, while OM has 267. Small categories can have sharp, unpredictable cut-offs.

• Paper difficulty: A tough General Awareness or Mathematical Abilities section pulls scores down for everyone.

• Negative marking: At 0.50 marks per wrong answer, candidates who guess wildly lose ground, while careful attempters move up.

• NCC weightage: Extra marks for NCC certificate holders can push the final selection cut-off up within a category.

How to Set Your Target Score

Since there is no official benchmark for the new pattern, build your target from your own mock performance:

1. Score in the top band of your mocks: Aim to finish consistently in the top 5% to 10% of test-takers on full-length mocks, not just above an average.

2. Protect sectional balance: Do not let any section fall below about half marks. A weak section costs more than a strong one gains.

3. Keep accuracy high: Target 85% or higher accuracy. At this marking scheme, accuracy builds rank more reliably than extra risky attempts.

Results and lists are published on the official JKSSB website: https://jkssb.nic.in/