UPSC CAPF Cut Off Trends – Previous Years Comparison

Introduction

Understanding cut-off trends is an important part of smart preparation for the UPSC CAPF examination. Many aspirants focus only on completing the syllabus but fail to analyse how much they actually need to score to qualify. Cut-off marks vary every year depending on factors like difficulty level, number of vacancies, and overall performance of candidates. Since the exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the cut-off is officially declared after the final result. Studying previous years’ trends helps candidates set realistic score targets.

Factors Affecting Cut-Off Marks

• The difficulty level of Paper 1 and Paper 2 plays a major role.


• The total number of vacancies announced in a particular year impacts competition.


• The number of candidates appearing for the exam influences the cut-off.


• Overall performance and average scores of aspirants determine the final range.

Written Exam Cut-Off Trends

• Paper 1 has separate qualifying marks due to negative marking.


• Candidates must secure a minimum of marks in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.


• Cut off varies for General, OBC, SC, and ST categories.


• The written exam cut-off is usually lower than the final merit cut-off.

Final Merit Cut Off

• Final cut-off includes UPSC CAPFmarks from the written exam and interview.


• Personality test performance can significantly improve overall ranking.


• Even small differences in marks can change final selection chances.


• Category-wise merit lists are prepared after adding interview scores.

How to Use Cut-Off Trends for Preparation

• Set a target score slightly higher than the previous year cut off.


• Focus on maximising Paper 1 accuracy to avoid negative marking loss.


• Practice descriptive answers to secure strong Paper 2 scores.


• Regularly evaluate mock test performance against the expected cut-off range.

Conclusion

Analysing UPSC CAPF cut-off trends provides clarity and direction in preparation. Instead of guessing, candidates can plan their study strategy based on realistic score expectations. While cut-off marks fluctuate each year, consistent preparation and balanced performance across both papers increase selection chances. Aspirants should aim not just to clear the cut-off but to score comfortably above it. With focused effort, smart revision, and strong interview preparation, achieving a competitive score becomes more manageable.