Understanding the Degree of Toughness in the UPSC Exam Hall

Why is it Important?

The Anomaly & Debacle Years

2023 was an anomaly. The Prelims cut-off dropped to 76 due to an unexpected CSAT anomaly. This led many institutes to set tougher test papers, reinforcing an illusion that scoring in the 80s was safe.

Then came 2024 – a debacle year. Many aspirants walked into the exam hall with the 80s mindset, only to be blindsided when UPSC returned to normal difficulty. The cut-off shot past 90. Even after the exam, predictions remained stuck in 2023’s shadow, misleading aspirants into complacency.

The Forgotten Truths

Every aspirant knows but often forgets: There are four sets of question papers. Some sets start tough, but the difficulty evens out. If the first 50 questions feel brutal, panic sets in. The brain sounds an emergency alarm, but no ambulance is coming to the exam hall.

The aspirant starts spiraling, losing focus, and misjudging the second half of the paper. The first 50 questions do not define the entire paper! The 99th question carries the same weight as the first.

Emotional reactions have real consequences—both in exams and in life. Stay composed and play the full game.

Lessons for CSE 2025

"U" of UPSC Stands for Unpredictability

UPSC thrives on unpredictability. The 2023 CSAT anomaly led to a 2024 shock. Expect the unexpected and prepare for all possibilities.

Ditch Preconceived Notions

Assuming an 80s cut-off in 2024 because of 2023 was a fatal mistake. Cut-offs are shaped by multiple factors:

Number of vacancies
CSAT toughness
Subject-wise weightage

You cannot predict the cut-off inside the exam hall. Your job is to maximize correct answers, not overthink cut-offs.

How Many Questions Should You Attempt?

Here’s a rough safety guide based on past 10 years:

Easy Paper (2016): 90–95+ attempts
Moderate Paper (2018-2022, 2024): 85–90 attempts
Tough Paper (2023): 80–85 attempts
Extremely Tough Paper: 70–80 attempts (Hasn’t happened in 10 years)

If you think the paper is extremely tough, it’s likely a personal preparation issue!

When to Judge the Toughness Level?

Start: Open the paper without judgment.
First 50 questions: It may feel difficult. Stay calm.
50 to 75 questions: Make a half judgment of the paper.
75 to 100 questions: Now you can fully assess the difficulty.

Remember: The UPSC exam does NOT have extra time or penalty shootouts! Make the right judgment at the right time.

How to Judge the Toughness Level?

Use this strategic rough work plan:

Before the exam starts, draw 20–25 dashes in your rough space. This is your Disaster Management Control Center.
As you attempt questions, list skipped ones in these dashes.
Circle questions you plan to revisit.
By Q50, assess how many you’ve left out. Adjust your strategy in the second half.
By Q75, you’ll have a clear idea of the paper’s difficulty.
By Q100, you’ll know your attempt strategy.

Amateurs panic and search for skipped questions randomly. Pros follow a plan.

The Bottom Line

Do not panic if the first 50 questions are tough.
Practice patience—each question carries equal marks.
UPSC selects those who can handle immense pressure.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is tested in the exam hall. The ones who stay calm amidst chaos are the ones who will handle disasters, communal riots, and short-tempered politicians as future officers.