Free UPSC Prelims Negative Marking Calculator – 1/3 Negative Marking Rule
UPSC Prelims is the gateway to India’s most prestigious civil services. But did you know a few wrong answers can significantly drop your score? That’s because of negative marking – a critical feature of the exam. Our UPSC Negative Marking Calculator helps you estimate your score accurately so you can improve your accuracy, minimize risk, and stay exam-ready.
Negative Marking Calculator Online
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Understanding UPSC Negative Marking (GS & CSAT Paper)
The UPSC Prelims consist of two papers:
- Paper I – General Studies (GS)
- Paper II – CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)
Both papers follow objective-type multiple-choice format and include negative marking for wrong answers.
Negative Marking Rules:
| Paper | Total Marks | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS Paper I | 200 | 100 | 2.00 | 1/3rd (0.66) |
| CSAT Paper II | 200 | 80 | 2.50 | 1/3rd (0.83) |
That means for every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks for that question will be deducted from your total score.
How to Calculate Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims?
You can use the following formula to calculate your final score manually or through the calculator:
Formula:
Final Score = (Correct Answers × Marks per Question) – (Wrong Answers × Marks per Question × 1/3)
Example 1 – GS Paper:
- Total Questions: 100
- Attempted: 90
- Wrong Answers: 20
- Marks per Question: 2.00
- Negative: 1/3
- Correct = 90 – 20 = 70
- Positive Marks = 70 × 2 = 140
- Negative Marks = 20 × 2 × 1/3 = 13.33
- Final Score = 140 – 13.33 = 126.67
Example 2 – CSAT Paper:
- Total Questions: 80
- Attempted: 60
- Wrong Answers: 15
- Marks per Question: 2.5
- Negative: 1/3
- Correct = 60 – 15 = 45
- Positive Marks = 45 × 2.5 = 112.5
- Negative Marks = 15 × 2.5 × 1/3 = 12.5
- Final Score = 112.5 – 12.5 = 100
Tips to Reduce Negative Marking in UPSC
1.Attempt only what you’re sure of – Don’t blindly guess.
2.Use elimination technique – Narrow down to the most probable answer.
3.Track your accuracy during mock tests – Don’t just focus on scores.
4.Understand patterns in your mistakes – Learn which areas to skip.
5.Manage time wisely – Last-minute guessing often leads to errors.
Conclusion
Negative marking is one of the most important factors in clearing UPSC Prelims. A few incorrect guesses can lead to failure even with a good number of correct answers. Use the UPSC Negative Marking Calculator on this page to estimate your score, practice with accuracy, and take data-driven decisions during preparation.
Disclaimer: This UPSC Negative Marking Calculator is provided for informational and reference purposes only. The tool uses standard marking schemes (including 1/3 negative marking) and historical exam patterns to help candidates estimate their probable score. It does not calculate or reflect official UPSC results or real-time evaluation. Final scores are determined solely by UPSC based on their internal assessment process. Users are advised to use this tool as a supportive resource for preparation, not as a substitute for official score announcements. Use UPSC official website for more information – upsc.gov.in