Candidates who are preparing for departmental competitive examinations can now download the official cut-off marks for the Combined Section Officers (SO) and Stenographers (Grade B/Grade I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2012 and 2013. These cut-off marks were released by the Union Public Service Commission and provide a clear idea of the minimum scores required for selection in those years.
I am sharing this update because many aspirants and departmental candidates look for authentic cut-off data to understand past trends and benchmark their preparation. Old cut-off marks still hold strong value as they help candidates judge competition levels and set realistic target scores. If you are preparing for upcoming LDCE exams, this information can be a useful reference.
About Combined SO/Steno LDCE
The Combined SO/Steno Limited Departmental Competitive Examination is conducted for eligible departmental candidates who seek promotion or appointment to higher posts such as:
- Section Officer (SO)
- Stenographer Grade B
- Stenographer Grade I
The examination tests candidates on subjects related to administration, rules, procedures, and professional skills required for higher responsibilities.
Why Past Cut-Off Marks Are Important
Even though the exams were held in 2012 and 2013, the cut-off marks remain relevant for several reasons:
- Help understand difficulty level of the exam
- Show category-wise competition trends
- Assist in setting safe target scores
- Useful for comparing with recent cut-offs
Analysing previous cut-offs along with question papers gives a clearer preparation direction.
What the Official Cut-Off PDF Contains
The official PDF generally includes:
- Category-wise cut-off marks
- Cut-offs for different posts (SO, Steno Gr B, Steno Gr I)
- Minimum qualifying marks
All figures are released in an official and verified format.
Who Should Download This PDF
- Departmental candidates preparing for LDCE
- Aspirants targeting SO or Steno promotions
- Trainers and mentors
- Anyone analysing UPSC departmental exam trends
This document is especially helpful for serious and long-term aspirants.
How to Download Official Cut-Off Marks PDF
Candidates can download the cut-off PDF by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website.
- Go to the “Examinations” section.
- Click on “Cut Off Marks”.
- Select the year 2013
- Look for Combined S.O.’S/Steno.’s (Gr.’B’/Gr.’I’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2012 and 2013
- Click on the PDF link to download and save the file.
It is advisable to keep a copy for future reference.
