Understanding the Marking Scheme of the UPSC Prelims Exam: Negative Marking and Qualification Criteria

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Preliminary Examination, often referred to as the UPSC Prelims, is a highly competitive examination for various prestigious government positions in India. The structure and marking scheme of this exam, including the presence of negative marking, are crucial for candidates to understand in order to prepare effectively.

Preliminary Paper 1: Detailed Marking Scheme

Preliminary Paper 1, part of the UPSC Prelims, holds 200 marks and includes 100 questions each carrying 2 marks. For each wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to each question will be deducted. This means that for a 2-mark question, the negative marking per incorrect answer is 0.66 marks.

Preliminary Paper 2: CSAT - Common Aptitude Test

The Common Aptitude Test (CSAT) in Preliminary Paper 2 carries 80 questions with each question worth 2.5 marks. The total marks for Paper 2 are 200. Similar to Paper 1, for each wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks of each question will be deducted, resulting in a negative marking of 0.83 marks per incorrect answer.

CSAT Qualification Requirements

The CSAT is a qualifying paper, and candidates must secure at least 33 marks to clear this section. This is a safeguard to ensure that candidates have a basic level of aptitude for the positions they aspire to.

UPSC Mains Exam: Unique Marking Criteria

The UPSC Mains Exam follows a different marking scheme that varies significantly from the Preliminary Exam. Unlike the Preliminary Exam, where negative marking is a common practice, UPSC Mains does not have a direct negative marking system. Instead, marks are awarded based on the quality of the answers provided. This means that students are not penalized for wrong answers, but they are also not awarded for incorrect answers. The evaluation is purely based on the content, relevance, and coherence of the answers.

Subjectwise Breakdown of UPSC Mains: Quality Assessment

The UPSC Mains Exam comprises five mandatory General Studies (GS) papers, each carrying 250 marks, and two optional papers, each with a total of 250 marks. The total marks for UPSC Mains are 1750.

Essay (250 marks): This paper carries 250 marks and tests the candidate's ability to express thoughts and ideas effectively and coherently. General Studies I (250 marks): Examines the candidate's knowledge of current events, national and international relations, and basic knowledge in the fields of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. General Studies II (250 marks): This paper covers the history of India and Indian society, governance, polity, and administration. General Studies III (250 marks): Deals with technological development, economic issues, and environment. General Studies IV (250 marks): Focuses on ethics, integrity, and governance. Optional Paper 1 (250 marks): Candidates can choose from 60 possible subjects for these two papers. Optional Paper 2 (250 marks): This is the second optional paper, which must also be chosen from the 60 available subjects.

While there is no negative marking, the good news is that candidates are not penalized for incorrect answers. However, the assessments are rigorous, and the examiners expect high standards of quality in the responses provided.

Examination Rules and Regulations

The marking scheme and rules for the UPSC Prelims may vary between organizations. It is essential to thoroughly read the examination rules and regulations provided by the UPSC before the exam date to be fully aware of the marking system and other important guidelines.

In conclusion, understanding the marking scheme and the presence of negative marking in the UPSC Prelims is crucial for candidates. On the other hand, the UPSC Mains focuses more on the quality and depth of answers. Knowing these distinctions can significantly influence a candidate’s exam preparation and approach.

Keywords: UPSC Prelims Exam, Marking Scheme, Negative Marking