Subject-Wise Question Distribution
| Subject | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Medicine | 96 |
| Pediatrics | 24 |
| Surgery | 40 |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology (OBG) | 40 |
| Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM) | 40 |
| Total | 240 |
Difficulty Level Analysis
| Difficulty Level | Approximate No. of Questions | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 122 | – Direct recalls – High-yield PYQs – Basic facts (e.g., vaccine storage, signs/symptoms) |
| Moderate | 90 | – Needs basic reasoning – Application of facts – Common clinical scenarios (e.g., imaging for acute abdomen, neonatal complications) |
| Difficult | 28 | – Multi-statement, tricky logic – Rare topics (e.g., Cloquet glands, Burch-Wartofsky score, Bilharzial cystitis) – Need clinical judgment or concept integration |
Paper-Wise Difficulty Split
| Subject | Easy | Medium | Hard | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 50 | 35 | 11 | 96 |
| Pediatrics | 10 | 11 | 3 | 24 |
| OBGYN | 17 | 17 | 6 | 40 |
| Surgery | 20 | 15 | 5 | 40 |
| PSM | 25 | 12 | 3 | 40 |
| TOTAL | 122 | 90 | 28 | 240 |
- Paper I leaned more on direct recall, making it relatively easier.
- Paper II had more application-based and integrated questions, especially in Surgery and OBG sections. PSM was easier compared to previous year.
Final Analysis:
- Paper difficulty (CMS 2025 was moderate overall, slightly tougher than CMS 2024).
- More surprise questions.
- Predictable subjects like PSM and Pediatrics.
- High-scoring subject is PSM & Medicine in this year.
- Tough questions came from OBGYNE & Surgery.
2025 Analysis Expected Cut off (Based on Submission Data):
Based on responses from 1008 candidates to our form, we have predicted the following cut-off marks for UPSC CMS 2025:
Sample Size:
Total Candidates: 1008
General: 440
OBC: 288
SC: 114
ST: 94
EWS: 72
Probable Bias in Cut-Off Prediction:
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Score Submission Bias: Many top scorers may not have filled out the form, possibly leading to underestimation or skewing of actual cut-off predictions.
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Score Clustering: A large number of candidates have scores around the 300+ range, meaning even a few marks can cause significant shifts in rank and category cut-off.
Reasons for Higher Predicted Cut-Off:
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Delayed NEET-PG (as in previous year): Many serious aspirants are focusing entirely on UPSC CMS, increasing competition.
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Misconception About Difficulty:
While some say the paper was tough, its overall level was moderate. It might feel tough for freshers (especially 2019-2020 batch), but most candidates found it manageable. -
Better Preparation: Even in previous years with difficult papers, the cut-off remained high. So, assuming a low cut-off based solely on perceived difficulty is only a way to comfort yourself — not a reliable strategy.
| Category | Mean Marks | Max Marks | Est. Cut-off – Out of 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 269.6 | 450 | 305–315 |
| OBC | 257.6 | 350 | 290–300 |
| SC | 227.4 | 314 | 255–265 |
| ST | 227.6 | 390 | 220–230 |
| EWS | 271.1 | 350 | 280–290 |
What Should You Do Now?
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Stop overthinking about the paper or the cut-off.
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Focus your energy on upcoming exams like NEET PG, INICET, or UPSC CMS 2026.
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Do not waste time in speculation — utilize this phase for smart preparation and revision.
Safest Scores for Each Category:
| Category | Scores |
| General | 330 |
| OBC | 310 |
| SC | 270 |
| ST | 240 |
| EWS | 300 |
Note:
I am unable to respond to everyone individually on Telegram or WhatsApp. Candidates scoring above these marks are considered safe for an interview call. However, please remember this is not the official cut-off, so avoid overanalyzing or arguing over it. Do not waste your valuable time discussing cut-offs—focus instead on your upcoming goals.