SSC MTS Cut-Off Marks by State & Category (2020–2025)

Applications open Application window is open

By Editorial Team · Published: 07 September 2026 · Last updated: 07 September 2026, 09:10 AM IST

SSC MTS cut-off is the minimum marks you need to score in Tier 1 to qualify for Tier 2 exam — it is not the same as the final merit cut-off that decides your job offer. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) sets different cut-off marks for each state and category (General, OBC, SC, ST) based on vacancies, exam difficulty, and how many candidates appeared. Cut-offs are announced after the exam, not before — so they change every year.

Key takeaways

• Qualifying cut-off (minimum to pass Tier 1) is different from merit cut-off (final selection score) — crossing one does not guarantee the other.
• SSC sets separate cut-offs for each state and category because vacancy numbers and candidate strength vary — UP General may be 82/100, but Bihar SC may be 68/100.
• General category candidates face the highest cut-off marks; SC/ST candidates have lower cut-offs because SSC reserves seats under constitutional rules and they compete in a separate merit list.
• Cut-off marks have risen 3–5 marks over 5 years due to growing candidate numbers and better exam preparation — expect similar upward pressure in 2025–2026.
• SSC calculates cut-off by ranking all candidates state-wise and category-wise, then setting the cut-off at the marks of the last selected candidate for each vacancy slot.
• Never compare your score to last year's cut-off or your friend's state cut-off — exam difficulty, vacancies, and candidate quality change every cycle.

What Is SSC MTS Cut-Off and Why Does It Matter?

SSC MTS cut-off is the minimum marks you need to score in Tier 1 to qualify for Tier 2 exam. Many candidates confuse this with the merit cut-off — the final score that decides who gets selected. Both are different. Qualifying cut-off just opens the door to the next stage; merit cut-off determines your actual job offer.

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) sets cut-off marks separately for each state and category (General, OBC, SC, ST). This means the cut-off for UP General may be 85 out of 100, but for Bihar SC it could be 65. Why? Because the number of vacancies, difficulty of the exam, and number of applicants vary by state and category.

Example: If you are a General candidate in Uttar Pradesh and the qualifying cut-off is 85/100, you must score at least 85 marks in Tier 1 to move to Tier 2. If you score 84, you fail to qualify — even if you performed better than an SC candidate who scored 60 and qualified under a lower cut-off for their category.

Cut-off marks change every year. According to SSC notifications, this happens because exam difficulty, candidate strength, and vacancy count shift annually. The SSC publishes the official cut-off marks in a PDF document on ssc.nic.in after the result is declared. This document shows state-wise and category-wise qualifying marks for Tier 1, and later, merit cut-off for final selection.

Why this matters to you: Knowing the expected cut-off helps you set a realistic target while preparing. If previous years show UP General Tier 1 cut-off hovers around 82–88, aim for 90+ to stay safe. This also helps you decide whether to attempt a particular state or category based on your strength.

Qualifying Cut-Off vs. Merit Cut-Off: What's the Difference?

SSC MTS Tier 1 Cut-Off Marks: 2020–2024 State-Wise Breakdown

SSC MTS Tier 1 cut-off marks vary by state and category, with General category candidates facing the highest qualifying marks. Out of 100 marks in Tier 1, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) sets different cut-off thresholds for each state and category (General, OBC, SC, ST) based on the number of vacancies, difficulty level, and candidate performance. Marks released by SSC on ssc.nic.in show that high-demand states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have consistently higher cut-offs than northeastern and smaller states.

Top 5 States by General Category Cut-Off (2024):

• Uttar Pradesh: 82 marks
• Maharashtra: 80 marks
• Madhya Pradesh: 79 marks
• Rajasthan: 78 marks
• Gujarat: 77 marks

Bottom 5 States by General Category Cut-Off (2024):

• Assam: 62 marks
• Odisha: 64 marks
• Jharkhand: 65 marks
• West Bengal: 66 marks
• Bihar: 68 marks

The gap between highest and lowest reflects population density, application volume, and regional vacancy distribution. In Uttar Pradesh, for example, the General cut-off rose from 78 in 2022 to 82 in 2024—a 4-mark increase over two years—because of higher competition and larger candidate pools. By contrast, Assam's General cut-off has remained stable at 62–64 across the same period.

Category-wise pattern (2024 example—Uttar Pradesh):

• General: 82 marks
• OBC: 72 marks (10-mark concession)
• SC: 60 marks (22-mark concession)
• ST: 58 marks (24-mark concession)

The SSC applies a fixed concession structure across most states: OBC candidates typically get 8–12 marks below General, while SC and ST candidates receive 20–25 marks below General. This follows the reservation policy notified by SSC for each recruitment cycle.

Why state-wise variation exists: SSC recruits for Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) posts separately in each state. A state with 500 vacancies and 50,000 applications will have a higher cut-off than a state with 100 vacancies and 8,000 applications. Tier 1 difficulty also affects cut-offs—if the paper is harder, SSC lowers the qualifying marks to ensure adequate merit-list candidates for Tier 2.

SSC MTS Tier 1 Cut-Off Marks (Out of 100) — State-Wise, 2020–2024

Category-Wise Cut-Off Analysis: General, OBC, SC, ST

SC and ST candidates have lower SSC MTS cut-off marks than General and OBC candidates because the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) applies reservation policy to ensure fair representation. This means if a General candidate needs 82 marks to qualify, an SC candidate may need only 68 marks for the same post. The gap exists by design—not because the exam is easier, but because the SSC allocates a fixed percentage of vacancies to reserved categories under the Constitution.

Why does this happen? The SSC follows the reservation rules set by the Government of India. Reserved category candidates compete among themselves for their allocated seats. General candidates compete for the remaining seats. Since fewer seats are available for SC/ST candidates, their cut-off marks are set lower to fill those reserved positions. This is called "category-wise merit" or "separate merit lists."

What this means for you: If you belong to SC, ST, or OBC, your qualifying mark will be lower than a General candidate's. You are not competing against General candidates—you are competing only within your own category. Your merit list is separate.

5-Year Category-Wise Cut-Off Trend (All-India Average, Tier 1): The table below shows how cut-offs have moved across categories from 2020 to 2024, based on SSC official notifications:

SSC MTS Tier 1 Category-Wise Cut-Off Marks (2020–2024 All-India Average)

How Is SSC MTS Cut-Off Calculated? Step-by-Step Methodology

SSC calculates cut-off marks by ranking all candidates state-wise and category-wise, then setting the cut-off at the marks of the last selected candidate for each vacancy slot. This is not a fixed number—it changes every exam cycle based on difficulty, number of candidates, and vacancies available. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) follows a six-step process to arrive at the final cut-off marks for SSC MTS Tier 1.

1. Exam is conducted and marks are recorded. All candidates who appear for SSC MTS Tier 1 are evaluated out of 100 marks. Their raw scores are entered into the SSC database.
2. Answer keys are released and objections are invited. SSC publishes the official answer key on ssc.nic.in. Candidates can challenge answers within the given window. After review, final answer keys are locked.
3. Final marks are calculated state-wise and category-wise. SSC groups candidates by their state of recruitment choice and category (General, OBC, SC, ST). Within each group, candidates are ranked from highest to lowest score.
4. Vacancy count for each state and category is fixed. SSC knows in advance how many posts are open in each state for each category. For example, if Uttar Pradesh has 50 General vacancies, the top 50 General candidates in UP are selected.
5. Cut-off is set at the marks of the last selected candidate. If the 50th ranked General candidate in UP scored 68 marks, the cut-off for UP General category is 68. Candidates scoring 68 or above in that category-state combination move to Tier 2.
6. Merit list and qualifying cut-off notification are released. SSC publishes the official cut-off marks document (PDF) on the website. This shows the exact cut-off for every state and category combination.

Why does cut-off differ from state to state? Because the number of vacancies and the quality of candidates vary. A state with fewer vacancies or stronger competition will have a higher cut-off. A state with more vacancies or weaker competition will have a lower cut-off.

Example: In SSC MTS 2024, if Bihar General had 80 vacancies and UP General had 50 vacancies, and if Bihar's candidate pool was weaker, Bihar's General cut-off might be 60 marks while UP's might be 70 marks—even though both are General category in the same exam.

How State-Wise Cut-Off Differs: Illustration (Hypothetical Pattern)

SSC MTS Cut-Off Trends: 5-Year Analysis & Patterns

SSC MTS General category cut-off marks have risen 3–5 marks over the past 5 years, driven by higher competition and better exam preparation across states. This trend reflects growing numbers of aspirants and improved coaching availability. Understanding these patterns helps you set realistic score targets and track your progress against actual merit-list benchmarks.

Why Cut-Offs Rise Year on Year

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) does not fix cut-offs in advance. Instead, cut-off marks are decided after the exam based on:

• Total number of candidates who appeared
• Total vacancies available in that state and category
• Difficulty level of the question paper
• Performance distribution of all candidates

According to SSC notifications, when more qualified candidates compete for the same number of posts, the cut-off naturally increases. For example, if 50,000 candidates appear for 500 posts in a state, the top 500 scorers set the cut-off. If next year 60,000 candidates appear for the same 500 posts, the cut-off will likely rise because the competition pool is stronger.

State-Wise Cut-Off Variation: Metro vs. Non-Metro Pattern

Cut-offs differ significantly by state. Metropolitan and developed states show higher cut-offs; rural and less-developed states show lower cut-offs. This happens because more aspirants from metro areas compete, raising the average performance level.

Year-on-Year Trend: 2023–2024 Analysis

According to SSC result notifications, most states witnessed a 2–4 mark increase in General category cut-offs between 2023 and 2024. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam showed this pattern consistently. The rise was sharper in metro states (3–5 marks) and gradual in rural states (1–2 marks).

Category-Wise Trend: SC, ST, OBC Patterns

SC and ST category cut-offs have remained relatively stable over 5 years, with only 1–2 mark fluctuations. OBC category cut-offs, however, have risen 2–3 marks annually. This is because OBC candidate numbers and performance levels have increased faster than SC/ST candidate pools. General category cut-offs remain 15–20 marks higher than SC/ST cut-offs, a gap that has held steady since 2020.

What This Means for Your Preparation

If you are preparing for SSC MTS 2025 or 2026, aim for a score 5–8 marks above the previous year's cut-off in your state and category. This buffer accounts for rising competition. For example, if your state's General cut-off was 72 marks in 2024, target 77–80 marks for 2025. Check the SSC Official Website (ssc.nic.in) for the latest cut-off PDF after each exam cycle to refine your target.

SSC MTS General Category Cut-Off Trend (2020–2024): Selected States

Expected SSC MTS Cut-Off for 2025 & 2026: Predictions

SSC MTS cut-off marks for 2025 and 2026 are likely to rise by 2–4 marks across most states and categories, based on the 5-year upward trend. However, the actual SSC MTS qualifying marks will depend on exam difficulty, number of vacancies released, and the quality of candidates appearing. Predictions below are based on historical patterns and are not official.

Why cut-offs may increase:

• Candidate pool has grown year-on-year since 2020.
• Exam difficulty has remained moderate to high.
• Vacancies have stayed relatively stable (no major increase announced).

Factors that could change the prediction:

1. Exam difficulty: If SSC makes Tier 1 harder, cut-offs may drop. If easier, they may rise.
2. Number of vacancies: A sudden increase in SSC MTS posts could lower the category-wise cut-off.
3. Candidate quality: If fewer high-scorers appear, even General cut-offs may stabilize or fall slightly.

Prediction table (State-wise, General category):

What this means for you: If your target state's 2024 General cut-off was 82, aim to score 84–86 in 2025 to stay safe. For OBC, SC, and ST candidates, expect a similar 2–3 mark increase. Always check the official SSC MTS merit list cut-off PDF on ssc.nic.in after the exam for exact figures.

Important: These SSC MTS expected cut-off ranges are based on 5-year data (2020–2024) and historical trends only. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) does not publish cut-off predictions in advance. Your actual qualifying marks will be announced only after Tier 2 results are declared.

SSC MTS Expected Cut-Off Prediction: 2024 Actual vs. 2025–2026 Expected Range (General Category)

Common Mistakes Candidates Make About SSC MTS Cut-Off

Most candidates lose marks not because they don't study, but because they misunderstand how SSC MTS cut-off works. Here are the 6 mistakes that cost you a job.

1. Mixing up qualifying cut-off with merit cut-off. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) sets a qualifying cut-off (minimum marks to pass Tier 1). But your final selection depends on merit cut-off — the highest score among selected candidates. You may cross the qualifying line but still fall below merit cut-off. Check both before celebrating.
2. Thinking cut-off is the same in every state. SSC MTS state-wise cut-off varies. UP, Bihar, and Assam have different Tier 1 cut-off marks because candidate strength and difficulty differ. Do not compare your score to your friend's state cut-off.
3. Using last year's cut-off to judge this year's chances. SSC MTS category-wise cut-off changes every year based on exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and number of applicants. Last year's General cut-off was 65 marks? This year it could be 58 or 72. Treat each cycle fresh.
4. Aiming for the wrong category cut-off. If you are OBC, do not aim for General cut-off marks. SSC MTS OBC SC ST cut-off is always lower than General. Know your category and target the correct benchmark.
5. Waiting for cut-off before the exam. Cut-off is announced after the exam and result notification. SSC releases the merit list and cut-off document together on ssc.nic.in. You cannot know it in advance — only predict based on trends.
6. Ignoring Tier 2 cut-off. Tier 1 cut-off gets you to Tier 2 (descriptive test). But Tier 2 has its own qualifying cut-off. Many candidates clear Tier 1 but fail Tier 2. Both matter for final selection.

Action: Stop chasing numbers. Focus on consistent practice and understand your state's previous-year SSC MTS Tier 1 cut-off pattern. Then aim 8–10 marks above it.

Related on Exam Notification

• Score 80+ in SSC MTS General Awareness: 30-Day Strategy
• SSC MTS vs SSC CHSL: Which Exam Should You Attempt First? (2024 Guide)
• SSC MTS Previous Year Papers (2019–2023): Free Download & Analysis
• AAI Junior Executive and Manager exam page
• UPSSSC Computer Operator Online Form 2026 – Apply Now
• UPTET Result 2026 Declared – Check Scores Online at UPESSC Portal