Where to check the CDS cut off marks?

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.

Why is it important to give CDS mock tests?

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.

What is the duration of each subject paper in CDS 2026 exam?

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

Why is it important to give CDS mock tests?

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.

Is the CDS English section scoring?

Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.

What was the overall difficulty level of the CDS 1 2025 exam?

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

How many papers are there in the CDS 2026 exam?

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 the CDS cut off marks 2026?

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.

Is CDS Question Paper 2026 released officially?

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.

Has the exam conducting authority released CDS written exam answer key?

The authority (UPSC) will release the CDS answer key for the written examination on the official website.

Which book is best for Maths CDS preparation 2026?

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

What is the Full Form of CDS?

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.

What is the syllabus of CDS General knowledge?

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.

What is the syllabus of CDS Math 2026?

The syllabus of Mathematics consists of Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.

CDS Cut Off 2026: Expected Cutoff Marks for CDS Exam

563 Students Q&A

Registration - 20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

Updated on Jan 11, 2026 03:17 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

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.

Table of contents

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:

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
View More Past Events (1)

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

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

CDS Minimum Qualifying Marks

DeskCalendar 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
Course	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)

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.

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.

Related Links:

CDS Admit Card

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
Name of the Academy	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
Course	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
Marks of last qualified candidate	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
Marks of last qualified candidates	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
Marks of last qualified candidate	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

CDS Cut Off FAQs 2026

Candidates can check below the CDS Cut Off FAQs 2026.

Q: Is there a negative marking in the CDS exam?

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.

Q: How do I download the UPSC CDS 2026 recommended marks?

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.

Q: What are the last month tips to prepare for CDS 1 2026 exam?

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.

Q: Is it compulsory to give CDS mock test?

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.

Q: Is the CDS exam online or offline?

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.