Negative Marking In UPSC Exam (Prelim & Mains)

PWOnlyIAS June 03, 2024 05:46 1704 0

Negative marking in the UPSC exam will help candidates understand how negative marks are awarded in the UPSC exam. Check details here!

Negative Marking In UPSC Exam (Prelim & Mains)

Negative marking in UPSC exam is applicable for incorrect answers, mainly in prelims exam. However, certain negative markings are also applicable in the mains exam. Understanding negative marking in UPSC exam will help candidates to plan their preparation in a better way.

Negative marking in UPSC exam for prelims stage has been explicitly mentioned in the UPSC notification. However, the commission is free to impose negative marks if guidelines have been violated by the candidate.

Let us look at the negative marking in UPSC exam for both prelims and mains stage. Read on to know more about negative marking!

Negative Marking in UPSC Exam Overview

Candidates must beware of negative marking in UPSC exam. The negative marking is more prevalent in the prelims stage  of the exam, and is rarely used in the mains stage. However, candidates must not take negative marking provisions lightly and follow the exam guideline strictly. An overview of negative marking in UPSC exam is given here.

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Stage of Exam Negative Marking Negative Marking Scheme
Prelims Applicable -0.66 in Paper 1

-0.83 in Paper 2

Mains No Negative Marking Penalties can be enforced for any incorrect actions in writing in the form of mark deductions.
Interview Not Applicable Not Applicable

Also Read: UPSC Exam Syllabus 2024

Negative Marking in UPSC Exam Prelims

Negative marking in UPSC exam for prelims has been explicitly mentioned in the notification. Based on the notification, here are the negative marking schemes for both papers of UPSC prelims.

Paper Positive Marks Negative Penalty Provision Amount of Negative Marks Marks for Unattempted
General Studies (Paper 1) +2 One third of Question Value -0.66 0
CSAT (Paper 2) +2.5 One third of Question Value -0.83 0

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims General Studies

The negative marking in UPSC exam prelims for GS paper is -0.66. Based on this marking scheme, here is an illustration.

  • Suppose you attempt 85 questions in a GS paper. The questions answered correctly are 60 and the questions answered incorrectly are 25.
  • Based on the scheme, for the correct answer, the scores are 60 X 2 = 120.
  • Based on scheme, incorrect marks are 25 X -0.66 = -16.5
  • The total marks scored by the candidate is 120 – 16.5 = 103.5 

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims CSAT

The negative marking in UPSC exam prelims CSAT paper is -0.83. Based on this marking scheme, here is an illustration.

  • Suppose you attempt 50 questions in the CSAT paper. The questions answered correctly are 40, and the questions answered incorrectly are 10.
  • Based on the scheme, for the correct answer, the scores are 40 X 2.5 = 100.
  • Based on scheme, incorrect marks are 10 X -0.83 = -8.3
  • The total marks scored by the candidate is 100 – 8.3 = 91.7. 

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Negative marking in UPSC Exam Mains

There is no negative marking in UPSC mains exam but there are certain conditions under which penalties may be imposed that can deduct your marks. Following are the two important conditions for negative marking.

  • Unauthorized Medium: Candidates answering in a language medium other than the one authorized by the commission may face penalty marks. In most cases, the answer copy may not be evaluated.
  • Use of Prohibited Words or Symbols: Use of symbols or words that may reveal the identity of the candidate can attract negative marks. 
Also Read: UPSC Optional Syllabus

Negative Marking in UPSC Exam Interview

There is no negative marking in UPSC exam interview stage. A candidate will be evaluated  based on his/her personality, communication skills, and knowledge of current affairs. These traits are necessary for potential civil servants.

How to Avoid Negative Marking in the UPSC Exam?

To avoid negative marking in the UPSC exam, candidates can follow some of the tips mentioned below.

  • Follow Guidelines: Follow the guidelines issued by the UPSC before appearing for the exam. This will help you avoid mistakes.
  • Avoid Unnecessary Attempts: Candidates must not attempt questions they have little idea about. This will help avoid negative marks.
  • Avoid Multiple Answers: Do not answer the questions multiple times. This will attract negative marks in the prelims exam.
  • Be Careful about Language Medium: Many candidates have a habit of using different language scripts while writing answers. This must be avoided.

Preparing for UPSC 2025? Join UPSC online coaching batches by Physics Wallah to boost your preparation. Register now!

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Negative Marking In UPSC Exam FAQs

In prelims exams, there is a negative mark of -0.66 and -0.83 for incorrect answers in GS and CSAT papers respectively.

There is no negative marking in mains,However, if you do something unethical or write in a language you didn't choose, you may face penalties in the form of marks deductions.

Negative marking scheme in the UPSC exam was introduced in 2007.

No. There is no negative marking for the interview.

The 1/3rd of 2.5 marks in CSAT exam comes to around 0.83
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