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 to 2022. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now check and download the official cut-off PDF directly from the UPSC website. These cut-off marks reflect the minimum qualifying scores required for selection in different categories and services under this recruitment cycle.
I am writing about this topic because the UPSC SO (Grade-B) and LDC exam is one of the most awaited departmental examinations, and thousands of government employees apply every year to move up in their career. The official cut-off list plays a crucial role in helping aspirants assess their performance and understand the competition level. It also helps future candidates set realistic targets for their preparation. Knowing the previous years’ cut-offs gives valuable insight into the exam trend and helps in identifying how performance standards change over the years.
About the Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination
The Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination is conducted by the UPSC for departmental candidates from various ministries and offices of the Central Government. The exam serves as a gateway for promotion to higher administrative positions such as Section Officer (Grade-B) and Lower Division Clerk (LDC). It tests candidates on general awareness, office procedures, noting and drafting skills, and relevant service-specific subjects.
This exam is typically held in three stages — Written Examination, Evaluation of Service Records, and Interview/Personality Test. Final selection is based on the aggregate marks obtained in all stages, subject to fulfilling eligibility and service conditions.
Key Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Years Covered | 2019 to 2022 |
| Category | Official Cut-off Marks |
| Status | Released |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Importance of Checking Official Cut-Off Marks
The cut-off marks are a key indicator of exam competitiveness. They show the minimum marks a candidate must secure to qualify for the next stage or for final selection. For departmental exams like SO (Grade-B) and LDC, cut-offs differ for each category and cadre depending on the number of vacancies and difficulty level of the paper.
By comparing the cut-off marks across the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, candidates can understand how performance standards have shifted. For example:
- A rise in cut-off generally means a higher difficulty level was managed better by candidates.
- A drop in cut-off may indicate tougher papers or fewer candidates clearing minimum qualifying marks.
This comparison helps future aspirants gauge the expected performance level and plan accordingly.
How to Download the Official Cut-Off PDF
To download the Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Exam 2019–2022 cut-off marks, candidates can follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website – www.upsc.gov.in
- Click on the Examination section in the top menu
- Select Cut-Off Marks from the drop-down list
- Find and click on Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination 2019–2022
- Download the PDF file for future reference
Candidates are advised to keep a copy of the downloaded PDF for record purposes and future comparison.
