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 2021 and 2022. The cut-off details for Categories I, II, III, VIII and X have been made available on the UPSC website in PDF format for candidates to download. These cut-off marks represent the minimum qualifying scores that candidates needed to achieve in both the written examination and the evaluation of service records.
I’m writing about this update because the announcement of official cut-off marks is a crucial piece of information for all departmental candidates who took part in the examination or are preparing for upcoming cycles. Knowing the exact cut-off marks helps aspirants analyse their performance, understand the competitiveness of each category, and prepare more strategically for future exams. It also ensures transparency in the recruitment process by clarifying how merit is determined for promotions through the departmental route.
About the Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination
The Combined Section Officers (Grade-B) and Lower Division Clerk (LDC) Examination is a departmental competitive exam conducted by UPSC to promote government employees to higher administrative roles within various ministries and departments of the Government of India. It serves as a career progression opportunity for staff members aspiring to reach the Section Officer or Grade-B positions.
The exam generally includes three papers followed by an evaluation of service records:
- Paper I: Objective-type questions on General Studies and office-related topics
- Paper II: Conventional-type questions testing writing and drafting skills
- Paper III: Practical or office procedure-based paper
Only those who qualify in the written test are considered for evaluation based on their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) and seniority, which are crucial for the final merit list.
Categories Covered in the 2021 and 2022 Exams
The UPSC has released official cut-off marks for the following categories:
- Category I – Central Secretariat Service (CSS)
- Category II – Indian Foreign Service (B)
- Category III – Railway Board Secretariat Service
- Category VIII – Ministry of External Affairs
- Category X – Other participating departments as per the UPSC notification
Each category represents a distinct cadre of officers or departments for which the exam is conducted. The variation in cut-off marks across categories reflects the difference in available vacancies, competition levels, and departmental standards.
Key Details of the Cut-off Marks Notification
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined SO (Grade-B) and LDC Examination |
| Years Covered | 2021 and 2022 |
| Categories Included | I, II, III, VIII, and X |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Document Type | Official Cut-off Marks PDF |
| Availability | Online |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
How to Download the Official Cut-off Marks PDF
To check and download the UPSC Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Cut-off Marks 2021 and 2022, follow these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website – www.upsc.gov.in
- Click on the Examinations tab on the homepage
- Select Cut-off Marks from the drop-down menu
- Find the link titled Combined SO (Grade-B) LDC Examination, 2021 and 2022
- Click to open or download the PDF document containing the cut-off marks for Categories I, II, III, VIII, and X
The PDF includes both written test cut-offs and final stage (after service record evaluation) cut-off marks for transparency.
