The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official cut-off marks for the Section Officer (SO) and Stenographer (Grade ‘B’/Grade ‘I’) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) 2018. The cut-off list is now available in PDF format for all categories, providing transparency in the selection process. Aspirants who appeared for this exam can now check their respective cut-off marks and compare them with their performance.
I am writing about this topic because many candidates who appeared for this departmental exam have been waiting for the official cut-off data for a long time. The release of the 2018 SO-Steno LDCE cut-off marks helps not only those who appeared that year but also future candidates planning to take upcoming LDCEs. Knowing the cut-off trend is extremely helpful for departmental employees preparing to upgrade their cadre through internal competitive exams. It gives them a clear idea of the competition level and the marks required to qualify, so they can plan their study strategy accordingly.
About the SO-Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE Exam
The SO-Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE is conducted by the UPSC to fill vacancies in various central government departments. This exam is specifically for government employees who wish to move up to higher administrative roles through a departmental promotion process. It is one of the key internal examinations under the UPSC’s purview and is known for its structured evaluation and competitive nature.
Key Details of the 2018 LDCE
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SO/Steno (GD-B/GD-I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2018 |
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Category | Government Departmental Exam |
| Purpose | Promotion to Section Officer / Stenographer Grade ‘B’ / Grade ‘I’ posts |
| Official Cut-off Release Date | Available Now |
| Mode of Exam | Written Test + Evaluation |
| Availability | PDF Download from UPSC Website |
How the Cut-off Marks are Decided
UPSC finalises the cut-off marks after evaluating the performance of all candidates across different categories. Factors like the number of vacancies, overall performance, and difficulty level of the exam play an important role in setting the benchmark. The cut-off marks represent the minimum score required to qualify for the next stage or to be considered for final selection.
Categories Included in the Cut-off List
The official cut-off PDF includes details for different categories such as:
- General Category
- Scheduled Caste (SC)
- Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)
This transparent breakdown helps candidates understand how the qualifying standards vary across groups.
How to Download the Official Cut-off PDF
You can easily download the SO-Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE 2018 Cut-off Marks PDF by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website – www.upsc.gov.in
- Go to the Examinations section
- Click on Cut-off Marks under the Examination tab
- Search for SO-Steno (GD-B-GD-I) LDCE – 2018
- Click the link to download the PDF of official cut-off marks


















