The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the cut-off marks for the Combined Section Officers (SO) Grade-B and Lower Division Clerks (LDC) Examination for the years 2019 and 2020. The data includes detailed cut-off marks for Categories I, II, III, VIII and XI, giving candidates a clear idea of the minimum qualifying marks required for each group. These category-wise cut-offs have been made available on the official UPSC website for direct download in PDF format.
I am writing about this update because the UPSC SO (Grade-B) and LDC exam is a key departmental examination that many central government employees look forward to for career advancement. Knowing the official cut-off marks helps candidates understand how performance benchmarks have changed over the years and what score they need to target for promotion. These official cut-offs not only reflect the level of competition but also act as a transparent indicator of the UPSC’s evaluation standards. For those planning to appear in future departmental exams, this information can serve as a useful guide for setting realistic preparation goals.
About the Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination
The Combined SO (Grade-B) and LDC Examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to fill departmental vacancies in various ministries and offices of the Government of India. The exam is meant for eligible employees who wish to move up to administrative posts such as Section Officer (Grade-B) or continue as Lower Division Clerks (LDCs) in specialised departments.
This competitive exam tests candidates on their service knowledge, drafting ability, general awareness, and office procedure skills. It generally consists of a written test followed by evaluation of service records and interview/personality test for final selection.
Key Details of the Examination
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Years Covered | 2019 and 2020 |
| Categories Included | I, II, III, VIII and XI |
| Official Document | Cut-off Marks PDF |
| Availability | Officially Released |
| Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Categories Covered in the Cut-Off List
The cut-off marks have been released for the following categories under the Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination:
- Category I: Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS)
- Category II: Section Officers’ Grade of the Indian Foreign Service, Branch ‘B’ (IFS-B)
- Category III: Section Officers’ Grade of the Railway Board Secretariat Service (RBSS)
- Category VIII: Section Officers’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS)
- Category XI: Lower Division Clerks’ Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS)
Each category has a separate cut-off, reflecting its specific competition level, total number of vacancies, and performance of candidates in that segment.
Why Checking the Official Cut-Off Matters
The official cut-off marks serve as a benchmark for understanding how competitive the exam was in a particular year. For example:
- Higher cut-off marks often indicate strong overall performance by candidates.
- Lower cut-offs may reflect tougher paper levels or limited vacancies.
For departmental candidates, analysing these cut-offs helps identify improvement areas, especially in descriptive writing and noting-drafting sections. It also helps predict trends in upcoming exams and plan better for future promotion opportunities.
How to Download the Official PDF
Candidates can easily download the official cut-off marks PDF by following these steps:
- Visit the UPSC official website – www.upsc.gov.in
- Click on the Examination tab in the top menu
- Choose Cut-Off Marks from the drop-down options
- Look for Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination 2019 and 2020 ( Categories I, II, III, VIII and XI)
- Click the link to download the PDF file containing the official cut-off data
Once downloaded, candidates are advised to go through the document carefully to note the minimum qualifying marks for their respective category.
