Few observations on last year's results given the spare time..
Last year out of 685 shortlisted candidates I see 1st General candidate qualifying with Rank 316 and no one from general category thereafter till 685th rank.
So for general candidates task is not of qualifying mains but qualifying it with cutoff + 30-40 marks and thereafter scoring in interview in 170s plus range to get anything if at all.
Some releif could be assumed this year given extra seats but cutoff + ~80 marks for getting preferred service and cutoff + ~40 marks is the level of mains prepration required for a general candidate.
Everyone hopeful for UPSC interview should get their final degrees from college in meantime to prevent last minute rush once mains result are declared.
Even myself in college today for getting the final degree (provisional will not work) as same is required for state PCS interview as well.
P.S- Got to know about importance of final degree during interview from toppers who narrated how they got shocker of lifetime in crucial 1 hour before interview when UPSC staff simply proclaim that your candidature could be cancelled due to lack of final degree (Offcourse they do give grace time later)
