UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is considered one of the toughest exams in India. If you’re going to write the UPSC exam in 2025, you must learn that there is a negative marking in the UPSC prelims. There is a negative marking in UPSC Prelims, which penalises wrong answers. The general rule is ⅓ of the marks assigned to a question are deducted.

Even if you have answered many questions correctly, wrong answers can potentially decrease your score, which you should not afford to do. What are the rules for negative scoring in UPSC? How to calculate negative marking in the UPSC? Let’s look at all the details related to UPSC Negative marking in this short guide.

What is a Negative Marking

Negative marking in exams refers to the practice of deducting marks for incorrect answers. In the UPSC Prelims, for example, a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Negative marking in UPSC discourages random guessing, as incorrect responses can lower the overall score.

However, no negative marks are applied to unanswered questions. So candidates can only attempt questions they are reasonably confident about. Understanding the scheme of negative marking in UPSC helps candidates devise an effective strategy to balance risk and accuracy.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2025

Exam Pattern	Prelims	Mains
Exam Duration	2 papers (2 hours each)	9 papers (3 hours each)
Type of Paper	Objective (MCQs)	Descriptive
Total Number of Questions	GS: 100 questionsCSAT: 80 questions	Usually, 20 questions per paper
Total Marks	400	1750
Marking Scheme	+2 for correct answer,	300 Marks for the first two papers and 250 marks for the rest 7 papers.
Negative Marking	Negative marking of 1/3 of 2 marks	No negative marking

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims

There is a negative marking on both papers of the UPSC Prelims. While the general rule for negative marking in the UPSC Prelims is “deduction of ⅓ of marks assigned to a question”, the question types differ in the two papers. Questions in the General Studies Paper carry 2 marks, which means you will lose 0.66 marks for every wrong answer.

Questions in the CSAT paper carry 2.5 marks each. You will lose 0.83 marks for each wrong answer marked. So, CSAT negative marking is way higher than that of GS, when overall performance is compared. Every aspirant must keep in mind the negative marking scheme in the UPSC prelims to obtain a maximum score. Worst, not to attract penalty for wrong answers.

UPSC Prelims Negative Marking Calculator

Paper	Total Questions	Marks per Correct Answer	Marks Deducted for Incorrect Answer	Multiple Options Selected (Penalty)
GS Paper I	100	2	0.66 (1/3rd of 2 marks)	0.66
CSAT Paper	80	2.5	0.83 (1/3rd of 2.5 marks)	0.83

How to Calculate Negative Marking in UPSC

Aspirants need to know how total marks are evaluated, given the negative marking in the UPSC Prelims. Let’s imagine an imaginary candidate Rahul with the following performance.

GS Paper I

Correct Answers: 65
Incorrect Answers: 30

Marks Calculation:

Correct: 65×2 = 130 marks
Negative: 30×0.66 = 19.8 marks deducted

Total Marks (GS I): 130−19.8 = 110.2 marks

CSAT

Correct Answers: 55
Incorrect Answers: 20

Marks Calculation:

Correct: 55×2.5 = 137.5 marks
Negative: 20×0.83 = 16.6 marks deducted

Total Marks (CSAT): 137.5−16.6 = 120.9 marks

Final Score

110.2+120.9 = 231.1 Marks

So, Rahul has scored 231.1 marks in the UPSC Prelims exam.

Negative Marking in UPSC Mains

There is no negative marking in UPSC mains as it is a descriptive exam. The exam pattern of UPSC mains significantly differs from that of Prelims, which is an objective type test. UPSC Mains contains a total of 9 papers: 2 language papers, 1 Essay Paper, 4 GS papers, and 2 Optional papers. Candidates can attempt all questions without fear of negative marking in UPSC Mains.

Negative Marking in UPSC Interview

There is no negative marking in the UPSC interview, so candidates aren’t penalised for providing incorrect answers. It is because this part of the exam evaluates more than just factual knowledge. However, success in the interview is important to pass the UPSC exam.

The interview panel seeks individuals with qualities suited for civil service roles. They focus on candidates’ ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and stay informed on current issues. Success in the interview is about presenting well-reasoned responses, even if one doesn’t have all the answers. Thoughtful, intelligent preparation on current affairs and clear articulation of ideas are key to making a strong impression, ultimately leading to success in the UPSC.

Practical Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims

Gain a solid understanding of the UPSC syllabus and exam pattern to focus on key topics. Strong knowledge is always the first step to stay clear of negative marking in the UPSC.
Calculate your “safe score”, during the preparation. Know how many questions you must get right to clear the cutoff, considering negative marking.
Study standard UPSC materials, textbooks, and current affairs thoroughly.
Answer only those questions you’re confident about; avoid guessing if unsure to overcome negative marking in the UPSC.
Apply elimination techniques to rule out incorrect options and boost accuracy. It saves time also.
Learn about filling the OMR sheet used in UPSC prelims. Improper marking can attract negative marking in the UPSC.
Practice regularly with past papers and mock tests to improve analysis and decision-making skills.
Avoid marking multiple answers for any question to prevent negative marking in the UPSC.
Skip questions where you need more knowledge to avoid negative marks.
Pay attention to keywords in questions to identify the correct answer.
Manage your time wisely; move on if a question seems too difficult.
Don’t rely on wild guesses; only answer with reasonable confidence to avoid attracting negative marking in the UPSC.
However, you have to master “intelligent guessing” as well. For example, look for contextual clues, extreme options, and typical wrong answer patterns. USE it only when it can yield the right answer.

Conclusion

In addition to avoiding negative marking in the UPSC, you must have a strong hold on the information and good memory. You should also develop strong conceptual clarity. UPSC doesn’t just test factual recall but also how well you understand and apply concepts. Make sure to revise regularly. Engage in active learning through discussions and analysis of current events. This will help you tackle more complex and analytical questions effectively, boosting your overall performance. Preparing smartly, not just thoroughly, is key to success.

FAQs

Is there a negative marking in the UPSC exam 2025?

Yes, there is a negative marking in the UPSC exam. But it is confined to UPSC Prelims which is an objective type exam. There is no negative marking in the UPSC Mains.

What does 1/3 negative marking mean in UPSC?

In UPSC, 1/3 negative marking means that for every incorrect answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question are deducted from your total score, discouraging random guessing.

What is the exam pattern of IAS Prelims vs Mains?

IAS Prelims is completely an objective type exam, containing multiple choice questions (MCQs). Consequently, candidates have to mark answers in an OMR sheet. Whereas IAS Mains is a descriptive or written exam, where candidates have to write answers in a given booklet.

When was negative marking in UPSC Prelims introduced?

Negative markings in the UPSC Prelims came up in 2007, before which, there was no penalty for wrong answers in Prelims. This step is aimed at discouraging candidates from doing guesswork.

Is there a negative marking in UPSC Mains?

There is no negative marking in the UPSC mains.

What should I do when I want to answer unclear questions in UPSC Prelims?

When facing unclear questions in the UPSC Prelims, avoid guessing. Instead, analyse the options using the process of elimination, focus on keywords, and recall related concepts. Only answer if you’re reasonably confident; otherwise, skip to avoid negative marks.