UPPSC RO ARO Prelims 2025 Expected Cutoff

UPPSC RO ARO Prelims 2025 Expected Cutoff After Official Answer Key Release

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducted the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) Prelims Exam 2025 on July 27, 2025, across 2382 centers in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. This highly competitive exam, aimed at filling 411 vacancies for RO and ARO posts, saw thousands of aspirants vying for a chance to advance to the Mains stage. The exam comprised a single combined paper with two sections:

• General Studies (140 questions) and General Hindi (60 questions), totaling 200 marks.
• With a negative marking of 0.33 marks per incorrect answer, candidates faced a challenging yet balanced paper.

Following the exam, UPPSC released the official answer key on July 30, 2025, allowing candidates to evaluate their performance and estimate their scores. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the exam, insights into the answer key, expected cutoffs for 2025, comparisons with previous years, and actionable tips for aspirants preparing for the next stage.

Exam Analysis: Difficulty Level and Key Highlights

Overall Difficulty Level

Based on candidate feedback and expert reviews, the UPPSC RO ARO Prelims 2025 was rated as easy to moderate in difficulty. The General Studies section was moderately challenging, with some tricky questions requiring in-depth understanding, while the General Hindi section was relatively easier, focusing on grammar, and vocabulary.

• General Studies (140 questions, 140 marks): This section covered topics such as Indian History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Current Affairs, and Uttar Pradesh-specific knowledge. Some questions on recent international events (e.g., Clean energy, Paris Olympics 2024) and Indian Constitution articles were reported as tricky or indirect. Candidates found the section balanced but time-consuming due to the need for conceptual clarity.
• General Hindi (60 questions, 60 marks): This section was easier, focusing on Hindi grammar, vocabulary, and sentence correction. Candidates with strong preparation in Hindi found it straightforward, boosting their overall scores.

Question Distribution and Topics

The General Studies section had a diverse topic distribution:

• History: Questions on ancient, medieval, and modern India, with emphasis on freedom struggles.
• Polity: Indian Constitution, governance, and UP-specific administrative policies.
• Geography: Physical and human geography, with questions on UP’s geography.
• Economy: Basic economic concepts and UP’s economic policies.
• Current Affairs: Recent national and international events, including UP-specific schemes.
• UP-Specific Knowledge: Culture, education, agriculture, and social traditions of Uttar Pradesh.

The General Hindi section included:

• विलोम (10 शब्द)
• वाक्य एवं वर्तनी शुद्धि (10 वाक्य)
• अनेक शब्दों के एक शब्द (10 शब्द)
• तत्सम एवं तद्भव शब्द (10 शब्द)
• विशेष्य और विशेषण (10 शब्द)
• पर्यायवाची शब्द (10 शब्द)

Surprising or Unexpected Elements

While the paper followed the expected syllabus, candidates noted a few unexpected elements:

• A higher weightage of questions on recent international events in General Studies.
• Some tough questions in Polity, History, and Census.
• The General Hindi section included a few nuanced grammar questions that tested advanced proficiency.

Overall, the exam was well-balanced, rewarding candidates who prepared comprehensively across all topics.

Answer Key Insights: Accessing and Evaluating

How to Download the Official Answer Key

The UPPSC released the official answer key on July 30, 2025, available in PDF format for all question paper sets (A, B, C, D) on the official website, uppsc.up.nic.in. Candidates can follow these steps to download it:

1. Visit the official UPPSC website: uppsc.up.nic.in.
2. Navigate to the “Answer Key” or “Recruitment” section on the homepage.
3. Click on the link titled “UPPSC RO ARO Prelims Answer Key 2025.”
4. Select the relevant question paper set (A, B, C, or D).
5. Download the PDF and save it for reference.

Candidates can calculate their estimated scores using the marking scheme: +1 mark for each correct answer and -0.33 marks for each incorrect answer. For example, if a candidate has 130 correct answers and 20 incorrect ones, the score would be: Score = 130 – (0.33 × 20) = 130 – 6.6 = 123.4 marks.

Common Issues Raised by Candidates

The provisional answer key has sparked discussions among candidates, with some raising concerns about discrepancies in a few answers, particularly in the General Studies section. Common issues include:

• Ambiguity in certain Polity, Census and Current Affairs questions, where multiple answers seemed plausible.
• Minor errors in the General Hindi section, such as answer options for grammar-based questions.

UPPSC has provided an objection window, allowing candidates to submit challenges offline in the prescribed format, along with supporting evidence, to the Controller of Examinations, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, Prayagraj, by August 4, 2025. Objections submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Accuracy and Transparency

The UPPSC answer key is generally regarded as accurate and transparent, with the commission maintaining a robust process for addressing objections. The final answer key, expected after reviewing candidate feedback, will provide clarity on disputed questions and ensure fairness in the evaluation process.

Expected Cutoff 2025: Category-Wise Predictions

Category-Wise Expected Cutoff

Based on expert analysis, candidate feedback, and exam difficulty, the expected cutoff marks for UPPSC RO ARO Prelims 2025 are as follows:

• General: 120–130 marks
• OBC: 120–130 marks
• SC: 104–110 marks
• ST: 92–100 marks
• EWS: 115–125 marks
• Female (General): 115–120 marks

These estimates are derived from the moderate difficulty level, the number of vacancies (411), and historical trends. The cutoff for SC/ST categories is lower due to reservation policies, with minimum qualifying marks set at 35% for SC/ST and 40% for other categories.

Comparison with Previous Years’ Cutoffs

To provide context, here are the category-wise cutoffs for previous years (based on available data for 2022 cycles):

• 2022 Prelims Cutoff:
  • General: 122 marks
  • OBC: 122 marks
  • SC: 105 marks
  • ST: 84 marks
  • Female: 115
• 2023 Prelims Cutoff (based on expected trends, as official data is unavailable):
  • General: 120–125 marks
  • OBC: 120–125 marks
  • SC: 100–108 marks
  • ST: 90–98 marks
  • Female: 120

The 2025 cutoff is expected to be slightly higher than 2023 due to the moderate difficulty level and a streamlined single-paper format, which may have allowed candidates to attempt more questions. However, the cutoff remains comparable to 2021, reflecting consistent competition levels.

Factors Influencing the Cutoff

Several factors influence the UPPSC RO ARO Prelims 2025 cutoff:

1. Number of Vacancies: With 411 vacancies, competition is high, but the limited number of posts may push cutoffs upward.
2. Difficulty Level: The easy-to-moderate paper likely resulted in higher average scores, increasing the cutoff.
3. Number of Candidates: A large number of candidates appeared, intensifying competition, especially in the General and OBC categories.
4. Candidate Performance: Feedback suggests that well-prepared candidates scored well, particularly in General Hindi, contributing to a slightly higher cutoff.
5. Reservation Policies: Category-wise reservations ensure lower cutoffs for SC/ST and EWS candidates.

Expert & Coaching Analysis

Reputed coaching institutes like Testbook, StudyIQ, and Physics Wallah have provided insights into the exam’s difficulty and cutoff trends:

• Testbook: “The General Studies section was moderately challenging, with some tricky questions on Polity and Current Affairs. Candidates who attempted 110–115 questions in General Studies and 35–40 in General Hindi have a strong chance of qualifying.”
• StudyIQ: “The paper was well-balanced, with Hindi being a scoring section for most candidates. The expected cutoff for General category is around 125–135 marks, slightly higher than last year due to the single-paper format.”
• Physics Wallah: “The exam followed the syllabus closely, and candidates with strong UP-specific knowledge had an edge. The cutoff for SC/ST categories is expected to be lower due to reservation benefits.”

Candidate Feedback from Social Media

Posts on X reflect a mix of sentiments:

• Many candidates found the General Hindi section “easy and scoring,” boosting their confidence.
• Some expressed concerns about ambiguous questions in General Studies, particularly in Polity and Current Affairs.
• Aspirants estimated their scores between 110–140 marks, with many aiming for 120+ to secure a spot in the Mains.

These insights align with expert analyses, indicating a competitive yet achievable cutoff for well-prepared candidates.

Next Steps for Aspirants

Tips for Mains Preparation

With the Mains exam date expected to be announced soon, candidates who anticipate qualifying should start preparing immediately:

1. Focus on Mains Syllabus: The Mains exam includes three papers: General Studies, General Hindi and Drafting, and Hindi Essay. Prioritize essay writing, precis, and UP-specific topics.
2. Practice Answer Writing: Develop structured answers for General Studies and Hindi Essay, focusing on clarity and conciseness.
3. Revise Current Affairs: Stay updated with national and UP-specific developments using sources like The Hindu, Indian Express, Dainik Bhaskar, Local Newspapers, UP Government websites and Yojana.
4. Mock Tests: Enroll in Mains-specific mock tests offered by coaching platforms to simulate exam conditions.
5. Typing Practice: ARO candidates should practice Hindi (25 wpm) and English (30 wpm) typing for the qualifying skill test.

Tentative Schedule

• Result Declaration: Expected by mid-September 2025, based on past trends. Candidates can check results on uppsc.up.nic.in using their registration number.
• Mains Exam: Likely to be scheduled between November and December 2025, with the exact date to be announced soon.

Conclusion

The UPPSC RO ARO Prelims 2025 was a balanced exam that tested candidates’ knowledge and time management skills. With the official answer key released on July 30, 2025, aspirants can now estimate their scores and gauge their chances of qualifying for the Mains. The expected cutoff of 120–130 marks for General, 120–130 for OBC, and lower for reserved categories reflects the moderate difficulty and competitive nature of the exam. Candidates should use this time to analyze their performance, address any discrepancies in the answer key, and begin rigorous preparation for the Mains.

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