The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the cut-off marks for the Combined Section Officers (Grade-B) and Lower Division Clerk (LDC) Examination for the years 2019 and 2020. The details include category-wise and year-wise cut-offs for Categories I, II, III, VIII and XI, helping candidates understand the qualifying standards set by the Commission. The cut-off marks are now available for download in PDF format from the official UPSC website.
I’m writing about this because many candidates who appeared for these cycles or are preparing for upcoming UPSC departmental exams have long awaited these cut-off details. Knowing the official cut-offs gives a clear understanding of the level of competition, the performance trends across different categories, and the expected range for future exams. This information is particularly useful for government employees preparing for promotion-based departmental exams conducted by UPSC. It also helps aspirants benchmark their preparation strategy for similar upcoming examinations.
About the Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination
The Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination is conducted by UPSC for recruitment and promotion to various administrative positions within central government offices. The exam aims to fill departmental vacancies across several ministries and categories, including Section Officers (SO) and Lower Division Clerks (LDC).
The examination consists of three papers:
- Paper I: Objective type questions on General Studies and relevant subjects
- Paper II: Conventional type questions on procedures, rules, and office work
- Paper III: Noting, drafting, and office practice based on practical cases
After the written examination, candidates who qualify are called for an evaluation of service records or interview, depending on the category.
Categories Covered in the 2019 and 2020 Results
The official cut-off marks released by UPSC cover the following categories:
- Category I: Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS)
- Category II: Section Officers’ Grade of the General Cadre of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’
- Category III: Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service
- Category VIII: Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service
- Category XI: Lower Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service
Each category has its own cut-off marks based on the written test and the evaluation of service records, as per the recruitment rules of the concerned department.
Key Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Years Covered | 2019 and 2020 |
| Categories Included | I, II, III, VIII and XI |
| Document Type | Official Cut-off Marks |
| Availability | Downloadable PDF |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
How to Download the Official Cut-off Marks PDF
Follow these simple steps to download the UPSC Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination cut-off marks for 2019 and 2020:
- Visit the official UPSC website – www.upsc.gov.in
- Go to the Examinations section and click on Cut-off Marks
- Look for Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination, 2019 and 2020
- Click on the link provided for Categories I, II, III, VIII, and XI
- The PDF document will open – download and save it for reference
Once downloaded, candidates can check the year-wise and category-wise minimum qualifying marks required to clear the written examination and the service record evaluation stage.
