Negative Marking — Meaning, Definition & Examples (Sarkari Exam 2026)
Category: Exam Process
Short definition: The deduction of marks for incorrect answers in Sarkari objective exams — typically -0.25 to -1.00 per wrong answer — designed to discourage random guessing.
What is Negative Marking? (Detailed Explanation)
Most central Sarkari objective exams use negative marking. The deduction is a fraction of the marks awarded for a correct answer. Common rates: SSC CGL (-0.50 in Tier-1, -0.25 in Tier-2 GA section), UPSC CSE Prelims (-0.66 for Paper-1, -0.83 for Paper-2 CSAT, expressed as -1/3 of question marks), IBPS Prelims (-0.25), SBI PO Prelims (-0.25), RRB NTPC (-0.33), RBI Assistant (-0.25).
Unattempted questions carry zero marks — neither positive nor negative. Questions where multiple options are marked are treated as wrong (penalty applied) for SSC, UPSC, RRB. IBPS treats multiple marks as 'unanswered' (zero) since 2019. Always check the official notification for the precise rule.
Strategic implication: with -0.25 negative marking, you should attempt only if you can eliminate at least 2 of 4 options (probability of correct ≥ 50%). With -0.66 (UPSC), you need certainty of at least 60% to make attempting profitable. Blind guessing at any negative-marking exam is statistically a losing strategy.
Live examples from Sarkari Exam notifications
- SSC CGL Tier-1: -0.50 per wrong
- UPSC Prelims: -0.66 per wrong (1/3 of 2 marks)
- IBPS PO Prelims: -0.25 per wrong
Frequently Asked Questions about Negative Marking
Q1. Is there negative marking in the descriptive papers?
No. Descriptive papers (UPSC Mains, IBPS PO Mains essay, RBI Grade B Phase 2 descriptive) are evaluated qualitatively — partial credit, no deductions.
Q2. Does SSC always have -0.50 negative marking?
No. SSC CGL Tier-1 is -0.50 per wrong answer. Tier-2 General Awareness section is -0.25 (since the GA paper has different question difficulty). SSC GD is -0.50. SSC CHSL Tier-1 is -0.50. Always check the latest notification.
Q3. Are skipped questions safer than guessed answers?
Yes, when you have no clue. Each skip is 0 marks; each random guess from 4 options has 25% chance of +1 mark and 75% chance of -0.25 marks = expected -0.0625 mark. Net negative.
Related Sarkari terms you should know
- Answer Key Objection — The formal process by which candidates can challenge questions or answers in the provisional answer …
Where to learn more
Browse the full Sarkari Glossary for all 30 terms. Looking for a specific exam? Check our Sarkari Exam Profiles with detailed eligibility, syllabus, salary and recent vacancy data for SSC CGL, UPSC CSE, IBPS PO, RRB NTPC and 6 more major exams.