JPSC Civil Services Cut-off: Previous Year and Trends

The JPSC Civil Services cut-off is the lowest score that takes a candidate from one stage of the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Examination to the next. For the prelims, it is calculated on the combined marks of both General Studies papers, out of 400, separately for each category.

The cut-off is not the same as the minimum qualifying marks in the rules. The rules set a floor (40% for unreserved candidates, for example), but the actual cut-off depends on how many candidates JPSC calls to the mains against the vacancies, and it is usually much higher. This page shows the latest reported figures and how to use them to set a target.

JPSC Prelims Cut-off: Previous Year

The table below shows the prelims cut-off reported for the Combined Civil Services Examination 2023 (Advt. No. 01/2024). The prelims were held on 17 March 2024 for 342 posts, and the result was declared in April 2024.

These figures were reported when the result was declared. Separate cut-offs were also reported for sub-groups such as persons with disabilities, Primitive Tribal Groups and sports quota candidates. Some websites show different numbers for the same year, so check the result notice on the official website before relying on any figure.

For that cycle, about 7,011 candidates were declared qualified for the mains, more than the planned number, because many candidates had equal marks at the cut-off point. This shows how tightly scores bunch near the cut-off: a single extra correct answer can move you past hundreds of candidates.

Cut-off Status for the 2025 Cycle

For the Combined Civil Services Examination 2025 (Advt. No. 01/2026), the prelims were held on 19 April 2026 and the result was released on 2 July 2026 as a list of roll numbers. Category-wise cut-off marks were not published with the result, and their non-disclosure was one of the issues candidates raised afterwards.

The mains, scheduled for 25 to 27 July 2026, was postponed until further orders, and the cycle is now subject to an investigation and court proceedings. No mains or final cut-off exists for this cycle yet. Any "2025 cut-off" you see elsewhere is an estimate, not an official figure.

Minimum Qualifying Marks Under the Rules

Rule 17 of the examination rules, as amended in 2023, sets these minimum marks. Scoring below them rules you out regardless of the cut-off.

What Affects the JPSC Cut-off

• Number of vacancies: Fewer posts mean fewer mains seats. The 2025 cycle has 103 posts against 342 in 2023, so competition per seat is likely to be tighter.

• Number of candidates: Lakhs of candidates appear for the prelims, and more applicants usually push the cut-off up.

• Paper difficulty: A tough GS Paper II on Jharkhand topics can pull scores down across the board.

• Category-wise vacancies: Categories with very few posts can see cut-offs close to, or equal to, the unreserved figure, as happened with BC and EBC in 2023.

• Answer key changes: Questions dropped or corrected after objections change everyone's final score.

How to Set Your Target Score

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 rather than a bare pass.

• Set a prelims target of 260 to 270 out of 400 in practice tests: That is 15 to 25 marks above the 2023 unreserved figure and gives a buffer for a harder paper or fewer seats.

• Balance both papers: Do not rely on Paper I alone. A weak Jharkhand paper is the most common reason good GS candidates miss the cut-off.

• Track accuracy, not just attempts: With 2 marks per question, ten extra correct answers add 20 marks.