The official cut-off marks for the Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service Examination 2016 have been released by the exam authority and are available in PDF format. These cut-off marks show the minimum scores required to qualify at different stages of the selection process. For aspirants preparing for upcoming IES or ISS examinations, the 2016 cut-off remains a valuable reference to understand how competitive the exam is and what level of performance is generally needed to move ahead.

I am writing about this cut-off data because many serious aspirants underestimate the importance of previous years’ benchmarks. While syllabus and answer writing are important, knowing historical cut-offs helps candidates set realistic targets and avoid guesswork. Even though the exam was held in 2016, the selection standards and evaluation pattern reflected in the cut-off marks are still relevant for understanding UPSC’s expectations.

About the IES-ISS Examination

The Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers for economic and statistical roles in the Government of India. The exam is known for its high academic standard and limited vacancies, making it one of the most competitive specialised services examinations conducted by UPSC.

What the 2016 Cut-off Marks Indicate

The cut-off marks for the 2016 IES-ISS examination represent the minimum scores required by candidates to clear different stages of the exam. These marks were decided after considering factors such as difficulty level of papers, number of vacancies, and overall performance of candidates.

The cut-off generally includes:

• Written examination cut-off
• Final cut-off after interview
• Separate benchmarks for IES and ISS

Why the 2016 Cut-off Is Still Useful

Even after several years, the 2016 cut-off data continues to be useful for aspirants.

• It helps understand historical score trends
• It gives clarity on safe score ranges
• It shows the gap between written and final selection marks
• It helps aspirants plan preparation more realistically

From my experience, candidates who track past cut-offs prepare with clearer goals and less confusion.

Factors That Affect IES-ISS Cut-off Marks

Cut-off marks are not fixed and vary every year due to multiple reasons:

• Difficulty level of written papers
• Number of vacancies announced
• Performance level of candidates
• Interview scores and final merit distribution

This is why cut-offs should be seen as guidance, not absolute targets.

What Is Included in the Official Cut-off PDF

The official cut-off PDF released by UPSC usually contains:

• Stage-wise cut-off marks
• Final selection cut-off
• Official authentication by UPSC
• Clear separation of IES and ISS results

Because it comes directly from UPSC, this document is considered the most reliable source.

How to Download IES-ISS 2016 Cut-off Marks PDF

Candidates can download the official cut-off marks PDF by following these steps:

• Visit the official UPSC website
• Go to the “Examinations” then “Cut-off Marks” section
• Find Year: 2016
• Look for IES-ISS Examination, 2016
• Click on the cut-off marks PDF link
• Download and save the file for reference

It is always advisable to rely only on the official website for accurate data.