Negative Marking in Paper I of UPSC

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts various examinations to recruit candidates for different government services. One of the most prestigious and competitive exams conducted by UPSC is the Civil Services Examination, which consists of three stages - Preliminary Exam (Paper I and Paper II), Main Exam, and Interview.

Negative Marking in Paper I of UPSC Preliminary Exam:

The Preliminary Exam, also known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), consists of two papers - Paper I and Paper II. Paper I is the General Studies paper, while Paper II is the aptitude test. In Paper I, there is a provision for negative marking for incorrect answers. Let's understand the details of negative marking in Paper I:

1. Marking Scheme:
- Each question in Paper I carries 2 marks.
- For every correct answer, candidates are awarded 2 marks.
- For every incorrect answer, one-third (0.66) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted as negative marking.
- If a candidate leaves a question unanswered, no marks are deducted or awarded.

2. Impact of Negative Marking:
- Negative marking discourages guessing and promotes accuracy in answering questions.
- It penalizes candidates who randomly guess the answers without proper knowledge or reasoning.
- It ensures that candidates who have a thorough understanding of the subject are rewarded, as they are less likely to make mistakes.

3. Strategy:
- Candidates should be cautious while attempting questions in Paper I, as incorrect answers can lead to a deduction of marks.
- It is advisable to attempt only those questions for which candidates are confident about the correct answer.
- Candidates should utilize their time wisely to read and analyze the questions before attempting them.

4. Importance of Negative Marking:
- Negative marking helps in maintaining the overall standard and fairness of the examination.
- It ensures that candidates do not indulge in blind guessing and rely on their knowledge and understanding of the subject.
- It encourages candidates to be more focused and selective in their approach while attempting the questions.

Conclusion:
Negative marking in Paper I of the UPSC Preliminary Exam is a crucial aspect that candidates need to consider while attempting the questions. It requires a strategic approach and careful decision-making to maximize the chances of scoring well. Candidates should focus on accuracy rather than attempting all the questions.