What the LIC AAO cut-off means
LIC applies its cut-offs in three places. In the prelims and the mains, you first need the minimum mark in every section, and then a category-wise minimum on the total. After the interview, LIC applies a final cut-off on mains + interview marks. In 2025, UR candidates needed 294 out of 360 to make the final list.
Prelims cut-off: sections, then the total
To reach the mains you had to clear each of the three sections and then reach your category’s cut-off on the total of Reasoning and Quant (70 marks). English was qualifying only, so it didn’t count in the total.
| Section | Questions / marks | UR, EWS, OBC | SC, ST, PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 35 / 35 | 18 | 16 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 / 35 | 18 | 16 |
| English Language (qualifying) | 30 / 30 | 10 | 9 |
| Category | Prelims total cut-off (out of 70) |
|---|---|
| UR | 58.00 |
| OBC | 55.00 |
| EWS | 54.00 |
| SC | 51.00 |
| ST | 46.00 |
| PwBD — LD / VI | 47.00 / 47.00 |
| PwBD — HI / ID-MD | 32.00 / 33.00 |
Source: LIC’s cut-off document for AAO (Generalist) 32nd batch, and para 9 of the notification dated 16.08.2025. The prelims had no negative marking. About 20 times the vacancies in each category were shortlisted for the mains, and on 29 Oct 2025 LIC listed 7,760 Generalist roll numbers. Prelims marks don’t count in the final merit list.
Final cut-off 2025, by category
This is the last line LIC drew: the category-wise cut-off on mains + interview marks, out of 360 (300 + 60). It decided who made the final merit list for the 350 posts.
| Category | Prelims (/70) | Mains (/300) | Final (/360) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR | 58 | 232 | 294 |
| EWS | 54 | 220 | 288 |
| OBC | 55 | 221 | 285 |
| SC | 51 | 205 | 271 |
| ST | 46 | 189 | 260 |
| PwBD — LD | 47 | 196 | 274 |
| PwBD — VI | 47 | 232 | 309 |
| PwBD — HI | 32 | 158 | 198 |
| PwBD — ID/MD | 33 | 165 | 249 |
Source: “Cut-offs for AAO Generalist-2025”, licindia.in (the PDF itself is undated). LIC prints the cut-offs to two decimal places (for example 294.00). These are the 2025 figures only. The next cycle’s cut-offs will depend on its own vacancies and candidates, so don’t treat them as a forecast.
Mains cut-off: every section, plus the total
In the mains you needed the minimum in each of the four objective tests, then your category’s cut-off on the total out of 300. The typed English descriptive paper had its own qualifying mark, and LIC evaluated it only for candidates who cleared the objective part.
What decides the cut-off
The notification fixes the sectional minimums, but LIC sets the total cut-offs itself for each cycle. These are the rules that shape where the line falls:
Number of vacancies
LIC shortlists about 20 times the vacancies in each category for the mains, and about 3 times for the interview. The 2025 cycle had 350 Generalist vacancies; the 2023 (31st batch) cycle had 300.
Category-wise ranking
Candidates are called for the interview by their ranking within their own category, so each category ends up with its own cut-off.
Normalisation
If the exam runs in more than one session, scores are equated using the equi-percentile method and reported to two decimal places. The 2025 prelims ran in four sessions.
No negative marking
Your score is the number of questions you answer correctly (equated across sessions), with nothing deducted for wrong answers. LIC still advises against random guessing.
How the final merit list works
Only mains marks count for the interview shortlist. The final merit list adds your mains score (out of 300) and your interview score (out of 60), and you must reach the minimum in both. The interview qualifying mark is 30 for UR, EWS and OBC candidates and 27 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Candidates in the final list then take a pre-recruitment medical exam, and only those found fit are offered appointment.
Ties are broken in two steps: first the candidate with the higher (post-graduate) educational qualification ranks higher, then the older candidate. LIC takes only as many candidates as the vacancies notified, and it keeps no waiting list. In 2025, 350 Generalist candidates were shortlisted for the medical exam (9 Apr 2026) and 333 were found eligible after it (14 May 2026).
See how the mains is scoredCrack LIC AAO with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ practice sets & timed mocks — built around the LIC AAO pattern.
Clear every section, not just the total
LIC AAO cut-offs are sectional first. A strong total can’t rescue a section below its minimum, and in 2025 the UR prelims line was 58 out of 70. JobSafal helps you find the weak section early and fix it before the next notification arrives.
Section-wise mock analysis
See your Reasoning, Quant and English scores separately after every mock, so a weak section can’t hide.
Daily plan
Daily targets that spend more time on the section pulling your score down.
Accuracy and speed
There’s no negative marking in the Generalist papers, so every question you reach and get right adds to your score. Practise covering each timed section fully.
Timed mocks
LIC AAO Practice Mocks with separately timed sections, so you build the right pace for each test.
