CDS Cut Off 2026: Expected Cutoff Marks for CDS Exam
Combined Defence Services Exam 2026 ( CDS )
Exam On - 12 Apr '26
CDS Cutoff 2026: The Commission will release the CDS 1 cutoff 2026 for IMA, AFA, INA and OTA along with the declaration of the result. Candidates will be selected based on the Cutoff marks. Candidates will get an idea about the difficult level of the exam and competition because of the cut off marks. There are several factors that influence the CDS exam cutoff marks like the level of difficulty of the question paper, trends, etc. The CDS 1 will be conducted on April 12, 2026. The CDs 2 will be held on September 14, 2026.
Candidates will be able to check their secured marks by comparing their responses against the questions asked in the exam with the CDS answer key. We have provided CDS's previous year cut-off also. These previous years' cut offs will also help candidates who are preparing for CDS exam. Read below for more details about the CDS Cutoff 2026.
- CDS Cut off 2026
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
- CDS 1 2026 Expected Cut Off
- How to Check CDS Cut Off & Factors Determining it
- CDS Minimum Qualifying Marks
- CDS Cut off 2026 for SSB Interview
- CDS 1 Cut off 2026 for Final Selection
- Previous Years’ CDS Cut off Marks
- CDS Cut Off FAQs 2026
CDS Cut off 2026
UPSC releases CDS cut-off for the written exam and final selection after the completion of the recruitment process. CDS cutoff for the written exam is calculated based on the minimum qualifying marks in each subject and the minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate. The final CDS cutoff is decided based on the marks of the last recommended candidate. The minimum qualifying for each subject is 20 percent. Candidates need to secure separate qualifying marks in the written exam and SSB Interview. Based on the CDS cutoff, candidates are selected for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Candidates are required to secure the cut-off marks separately in the written exam and SSB interview to be considered for final selection.
CDS Cut off for Written Exam
The cut off for the written exam is the minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidates. The written exam for IMA, INA, and AFA comprises English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics sections. The test paper for admission to OTA comprises two sections, English and General Knowledge. Total marks of the test for IMA, INA and AFA are 300 while it is 200 for OTA. Candidates are also required to secure the minimum qualifying marks in each subject, which is 20 per cent. UPSC prepares a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Candidates who are declared successful in the written exam are called for intelligence and personality tests.
Related Links:
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can check the cut off marks for the CDS exam by visiting the official website at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC will release the cutoff according to the academy or course.
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year for admission to IMA, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. Basically, it works as a tool for students to prepare for an upcoming exam. Candidate will get an idea of the actual examination. Mock tests make candidates realise their mistakes that must be taken care of before going to the exam.
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule 2026
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2026 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Apr ' 26 | CDS 1 2026 Result TENTATIVE |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 09 Oct ' 25 | CDS 2 2025 Result |
| 28 Apr ' 25 | CDS 1 Result 2025 Released |
| 20 Sep ' 24 | CDS 2 Result 2024 |
CDS 1 2026 Expected Cut Off
We have provided the CDS 1 expected cut-off. It is disclosed to the students so that they can analyse their performance. The number of CDS 1 vacancy and the level of difficulty the exam plays an important role in deciding the expected cut-off. Candidates can check here:
| Academy | Ecpected Cut Off Written Exam |
|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) |
130-120 |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) |
105-120 |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) |
145-150 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) men / women |
73-85 |
Commonly asked questions
The methods to check the CDS cut off marks is provided below:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the :Examination" tab.
- Go to the "Cut Off Marks" dropdown menu.
- Click on the download link and save it for future reference.
In CDS, written exam comprises three papers namely English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics aiming for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA). There are two papers for candidates aiming for the Officers Training academy (OTA).
For IMA, INA, AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics
For OTA: English and General Knowledge
How to Check CDS Cut Off & Factors Determining it
as per the cutoff marks, candidates will be selected and the results will be announced. With the help of cutoff marks, authority will be able to recruit candidates for several positions as per their ranks and marks. CDS cut-off will be released online at upsc.nic.in. The methods to check the cut-off of CDS exam are given below:
- Visit the official website
- Go to the cutoff section from the 'Examination' tab
- Click the relevant link
- The course-wise CDS cut-off marks are displayed on the screen in PDF format
- Download the same and save the file
Factors Determining CDS Cut Off Marks
The cut off marks of CDS exam are determined based on the following factors:
- Number of vacancies
- Total number of appeared candidates
- The level of difficulty of the exam
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the examination authority will release the CDS Question Papers 2026 officially at upsc.gov.in. The question papers will be released in the form of PDF. Candidates can download the CDS question papers 2026 from this page also for free. The question papers will help candidates to check the difficulty level of the exam, questions asked, pattern changed or not, etc.
The authority (UPSC) will release the CDS answer key for the written examination on the official website.
CDS Minimum Qualifying Marks
Result: Apr ' 26
Candidates must check last year question papers to get rough idea of the difficulty level of the paper. The minimum qualifying marks for the CDS exam are given here:
| Course | Written Result |
|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | |
| IMA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
| INA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
| AFA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
| OTA (Men) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
| OTA (Women) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.
As per the students' feedback, the overall difficulty level and good attempts of CDS 1 2025 exam are mentioned below:
| Exam paper | Overall Difficulty Level | Good attempts |
| English | Moderate | 87-93 |
| GK | Moderate | 85 to 90 |
| Maths | Moderate | 70-80 |
CDS Cut off 2026 for SSB Interview
SSB Interview is conducted for the qualified candidates of the written exam. The SSB Interview follows the two-stage selection process. Stage 1 comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 comprises Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. To qualify SSB Interview, candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks. The CDS cut-off for SSB Interview is decided out of 300 marks for IMA, INA, and AFA and 200 marks for OTA.
Commonly asked questions
The syllabus of Mathematics consists of Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
The General Knowledge syllabus of CDS exam consists of History, Polity, Economics, Geography, Science, etc. The subject requires the knowledge of current events whether national or international. The CDS 1 2026 notification will be released on December 10.
CDS 1 Cut off 2026 for Final Selection
The cutoff for final selection is decided based on the written exam and SSB Interview. CDS final cut-off is the marks secured by the last recommended candidates. Based on the final cutoff, candidates are selected for admission to the different courses.
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Commonly asked questions
It is important for a candidate to clear basics and concepts. Questions asked in this section are of Class 10 standard. Candidates can check below CDS Maths books that will help in the preparation:
- Mathematics for CDS by RS Aggarwal
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal
- Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant Publications
CDS full form is the Combined Defence Services Examination. While some people also refer CDS full form as Chief of Defence Staff, this rank is given to the head of the Indian Armed Forces. It is a national-level exam which is conducted twice a year in April and September.
Previous Years’ CDS Cut off Marks
The UPSC CDS exam is conducted to recruit the candidates for leadership posts in Indian Military, Navy, Air Force and Officers Treating Academy. Candidates can check below for 2024.
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) |
120 – 130 |
245 – 255 |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) |
105 – 120 |
233 – 245 |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) |
145 – 150 |
268 – 270 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) men |
73 – 85 |
162 – 170 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) women |
74 – 85 |
164 – 170 |
The candidates can check the CDS 2 2022 cut off below in the table:
|
Name of the Academy |
Written Result |
Final Result |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject |
Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate |
Marks of last recommended candidate |
|
| IMA |
20 per cent |
126 marks |
249 |
| INA |
118 marks |
248 |
|
| AFA |
136 marks |
258 |
|
| OTA (Men) |
98 marks |
180 |
|
| OTA (Women) |
98 marks |
179 |
|
Candidates can check below CDS previous years' cut off for 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.
CDS 2 Cut off 2021
| Course | Written Result | Final Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
138 marks (i.e. 46 per cent) |
263 |
| INA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
132 marks (i.e. 44 per cent) |
256 |
| AFA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
148 marks (i.e. 49.33 per cent) |
270 |
| OTA (Men) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
102 marks (i.e. 51 per cent) |
183 |
| OTA (Women) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
102 marks (i.e. 51 per cent) |
184 |
CDS 1 2021 Cutoff
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA |
145 |
268 |
| INA |
136 |
260 |
| AFA |
158 |
281 |
| OTA (Men) |
107 |
189 |
| OTA(Women) |
107 |
191 |
CDS (I) 2020 Official Cutoff
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate* |
Marks of last recommended candidate |
| IMA |
130 |
250 |
| INA |
118 |
242 |
| AFA |
143 |
274 |
| OTA (Men) |
93 |
173 |
| OTA(Women) |
93 |
177 |
*Subject to a minimum of 20 per cent marks in each paper
Download here CDS (II) 2020 Official Cutoff
CDS 2 2019 Official Cut off
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each subject |
Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate |
Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 134 marks (i.e. 44.67 per cent) | 258 |
| INA | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 122 marks (i.e. 40.67 per cent) | 245 |
| AFA | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 148 marks (i.e. 49.33 per cent) | 272 |
| OTA (Men) | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 95 marks (i.e. 47.5 per cent) | 176 |
| OTA(Women) | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 95 marks (i.e. 47.5 per cent) | 179 |
CDS 1 2019 Official Cut off
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA | 116 | 242 |
| INA | 105 | 233 |
| AFA | 129 | 264 |
| OTA (Men) | 78 | 160 |
| OTA(Women) | 78 | 162 |
CDS 1 cut off 2018
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| IMA |
118 |
240 |
| INA |
98 |
225 |
| AFA |
138 |
279 |
| OTA(Men) |
69 |
154 |
| OTA(Women) |
69 |
150 |
*Subject to a minimum of 20 per cent marks in each paper.
CDS 2 Cut off 2018
| Marks of last qualified candidate | Written Result | Final Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
116 marks (i.e. 38.67 per cent) |
242 |
| INA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
102 marks (i.e. 34 per cent) |
228 |
| AFA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
131 marks (i.e. 43.67 per cent) |
253 |
| OTA (Men) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
80 marks (i.e. 40 per cent) |
162 |
| OTA (Women) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
80 marks (i.e. 40 per cent) |
163 |
CDS 1 Cut off 2017
| Academy |
Written Exam |
Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| IMA |
125 |
249 |
| INA |
118 |
241 |
| AFA |
144 |
268 |
| OTA (Men) |
82 |
163 |
| OTA (Women) |
82 |
164 |
CDS 2 Cut off 2017
| Marks of last qualified candidates | Written Result | Final Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
120 marks (i.e. 40 per cent) |
244 |
| INA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
111 marks (i.e. 37 per cent) |
237 |
| AFA |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
135 marks (i.e. 45 per cent) |
260 |
| OTA (Men) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
86 marks (i.e. 43 per cent) |
167 |
| OTA (Women) |
20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) |
86 marks (i.e. 43 per cent) |
171 |
CDS 1 Cut off 2016
| Academy |
Written Exam |
Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate |
Marks of last recommended candidate |
|
| IMA |
72 |
214 |
| INA |
63 |
217 |
| AFA |
123 |
249 |
| OTA (Men) |
68 |
150 |
| OTA (Women) |
68 |
157 |
CDS 2 Cut off 2016
| Marks of last qualified candidate | Written Result | FinalResult | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | ||||
| IMA |
20 |
marks |
(i.e. |
20 per cent) |
105 marks (i.e. 35 per cent) |
227 |
| INA |
20 |
marks |
(i.e. |
20 per cent) |
90 marks (i.e. 30 per cent) |
225 |
| AFA |
20 |
marks |
(i.e. |
20 per cent) |
135 marks (i.e. 45 per cent) |
258 |
| OTA (Men) |
20 |
marks |
(i.e. |
20 per cent) |
72 marks (i.e. 36 per cent) |
157 |
| OTA (Women) |
20 |
marks |
(i.e. |
20 per cent) |
72 marks (i.e. 36 per cent) |
159 |
Other Defence Exam Cutoffs:
| NDA Cutoff | AFCAT Cutoff |
Commonly asked questions
The duration of each subject paper in the CDS 2026 exam is mentioned below.
1. For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy: English, General Knowledge and Mathematics all have two hours duration.
2. For Officers' Training Academy (OTA)-English and GK for both separately 2 hours duration
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year for admission to IMA, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. Basically, it works as a tool for students to prepare for an upcoming exam. Candidate will get an idea of the actual examination. Mock tests make candidates realise their mistakes that must be taken care of before going to the exam.
CDS Cut Off FAQs 2026
Commonly asked questions
Yes. In the CDS exam there is a negative marking. One-third mark will be deducted for an incorrect answer. No mark will be deducted for unanswered questions.
Candidates can download the UPSC CDS 2026 recommended marks by the following manner:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the CDS 2026 recommended marks link.
- Click on the PDF link.
- The marks PDF will appear on the screen.
- Download and save it for later use.
The CDS 2026 exam dates were released by the authority. In the last month of the preparation, candidates should focus more on revision of all the important topics. Give test regulary. Revise and update yourself with current affairs. Maintain physical and mental health. Take proper sleep. Revise and practice previous year question papers. Also, focus on time management, etc.
The CDS exam requires in depth knowledge and clarity of concepts or conceptual clarity. So, regular solving of mock tests is important. It provides an additional advantage that a candidate requires to score good in the exam.
The CDS exam is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview. The CDS exam is an offline exam conducted in pen paper-based format. The CDS marking scheme, negative marking, total marks, exam timing, and the paper pattern for the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA are available on this page for the CDS exam.
CDS Exam
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