A qualifying paper is one whose marks are not added to your rank, but which you must pass for the rest of your papers to matter. Because they "don't count", they are the papers candidates prepare least — and the ones that end the most otherwise strong attempts. Here is what each of the three examinations requires, from its own notification.
UPSC Civil Services: three gates
| Paper | Stage | Marks | Must reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | Preliminary | 200 | 33% |
| Paper A: Indian language (Eighth Schedule) | Main | 300 | 25% |
| Paper B: English | Main | 300 | 25% |
From Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (pages 25–27, 32–33):
- CSAT is qualifying with the minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%. The one-third negative marking applies to it as well.
- Papers A and B are of Matriculation or equivalent standard and qualifying only; their marks are not counted for ranking. The notice adds that the Essay, General Studies and Optional papers are evaluated only for candidates who attain 25% in the Indian language paper and 25% in English.
That last rule is the sharpest of all: a candidate who writes seven excellent ranking papers but misses 25% in either language paper has none of the seven read for marks.
TGPSC Group 1: one gate
| Paper | Stage | Marks | Must reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| General English | Main | 150 | 40% (OC, sportsmen, EWS); 35% (BC); 30% (SC, ST, PH) |
Notification No. 02/2024 describes General English as a qualifying paper of Secondary School Certificate standard, whose marks are not counted for ranking (page 16, para 12.1 (D)).
APPSC Group 1: two gates
| Paper | Stage | Marks | Must reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telugu (S.S.C. standard) | Main | 150 | 40% (OC, sports persons, EWS); 35% (BC); 30% (SC, ST, PBD) |
| English (S.S.C. standard) | Main | 150 | the same, separately |
Notification No. 07/2026 states that the Telugu and English papers are qualifying in nature, that the marks secured in them are not counted for merit, and that the minimum qualifying marks apply to each individual paper (page 15, para 12.8). Passing one does not make up for the other.
What the thresholds mean in marks
Percentages are easier to plan around as marks:
| Paper | Total | 25% | 30% | 33% | 35% | 40% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSAT | 200 | — | — | 66 | — | — |
| UPSC Paper A or B | 300 | 75 | — | — | — | — |
| TGPSC General English | 150 | — | 45 | — | 52.5 | 60 |
| APPSC Telugu or English | 150 | — | 45 | — | 52.5 | 60 |
Only the column that applies to you matters; the rest are blank or simply arithmetic. Knowing your number — 60 out of 150, say, rather than "40%" — makes a practice paper easy to judge at a glance.
Why they deserve real preparation
- They are certain to be set, and certain to matter. Every ranking mark you earn depends on them.
- The standard is modest, but the format is still a format. S.S.C. or Matriculation standard does not mean no practice: a three-hour written paper in a language you have not written at length since school is tiring, and errors of grammar and structure cost marks.
- CSAT is the one most often underestimated. A 33% line under negative marking can be missed by a candidate strong in general studies who never practised aptitude. The arithmetic of guessing on a qualifying paper is set out in negative marking explained.
A simple routine
- One timed qualifying paper a fortnight, from a past paper or a practice set, in the months before the Main examination.
- For CSAT, short daily practice through Prelims preparation, rather than a last-month burst.
- Mark it honestly against the threshold for your category — and if you are near the line, treat it as a priority, not a formality.
The full patterns: UPSC Civil Services, TGPSC Group 1 and APPSC Group 1. Always check the notification for your own cycle: thresholds and papers can change between notifications.