Updated on: 08 Nov 2025
The previous recruitment for the Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) Special Branch Assistant (SBCID) post was conducted under Category No. 315/2019. This recruitment was a state-level examination, meaning candidates from all districts across Kerala competed in a single, common selection process. The post falls under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Kerala Police and is one of the prominent positions for graduates seeking government service in the police intelligence wing.
The selection process began with a common preliminary OMR examination, which was held on October 30, 2021, and November 13, 2021. The preliminary examination cut-off was 54.30 marks, which served as the minimum qualifying score for candidates to be shortlisted for the main examination.
Following the preliminary phase, candidates who met the required cut-off appeared for the main examination, conducted on December 21, 2022. In this stage, the lowest qualifying score in the final ranked list was 38.00 marks, representing the minimum mark required for inclusion in the merit list after considering test scores and weightage.
The final ranked list for the SBCID recruitment (Category No. 315/2019) was published on June 3, 2023. This list included candidates from all reservation categories and served as the official basis for appointments to the Special Branch Assistant posts.
As of February 21, 2025, the Kerala PSC had issued advice memos up to Rank 185, based on the vacancies reported by the concerned department. These advice memos indicate the ranks up to which candidates have been appointed to the post.
The rank list remains valid until February 6, 2026, unless otherwise extended or cancelled by the Kerala Public Service Commission. This period allows sufficient time for further appointments to be made as new vacancies arise.
In summary, the SBCID (Category No. 315/2019) recruitment followed a comprehensive, state-level selection process involving preliminary and main examinations. With the cut-off fixed at 54.30 marks for prelims and 38.00 marks as the final qualifying score, the rank list continues to guide appointments until February 2026, reflecting Kerala PSC’s systematic approach to police department recruitments.
With the new Kerala PSC Special Branch Assistant (SBCID) notification released this year and the examination approaching soon, understanding the previous cut-off marks has become highly important for every aspirant. The cut-off is not just a score — it serves as a key indicator of competition level, exam difficulty, and preparation standards required to secure a place in the final rank list.
Knowing the previous year’s cut-off marks (Preliminary – 54.30 marks and Main – 38.00 marks) helps candidates set a realistic target for their preparation. It gives a clear picture of how much effort and accuracy are needed to clear each stage of the exam. Aspirants can use this data to analyze their mock test performance, identify weak areas, and plan a focused study strategy to reach or exceed the expected cut-off range.
Additionally, cut-off awareness helps candidates understand the trend of competition in state-level PSC exams. Since the SBCID examination is a statewide recruitment, even a small margin of marks can make a significant difference in ranking. Therefore, being aware of the previous cut-off trends allows candidates to aim higher and stay competitive.
In short, the cut-off marks act as a benchmark for success in the upcoming SBCID examination. Candidates who study with this benchmark in mind are more likely to stay motivated, manage their time effectively, and perform confidently during the actual test.