CDS Cut Off 2025: Expected Cutoff Marks for CDS Exam
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
CDS Cutoff 2025: The authority will release the CDS 2 cut-off along with the result for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. The selection of the candidates depends upon the UPSC CDS 2 cut-off, which gives an idea about the competition of an exam and the difficulty level. Various factors affect the cutoff, including the difficulty of the question paper, trends, etc. The cutoff marks for the CDS 2 2025 will be provided here as well once it is released. However, the candidates can check the expected cut-off marks for the CDS exam below. The expected cut-off marks will help the candidates to get the probability of getting selected in the defence academies- IMA, INA, ANA, and OTA.
The CDS 2025 expected cut-off is calculated on various factors like the number of candidates taking the exam, the difficulty level of the CDS question paper, previous trends of the exam, the number of vacancies, etc. The 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.
CDS cut-off gives a clear picture of the difficulty level of the exam as well as the competition. We have provided CDS's previous year cut-off. These previous years' cut offs will also help candidates who are preparing for CDS exam. Find all about it in the information given below.
- CDS Cut off 2025
- CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
- CDS 2 2025 Expected Cut Off
- CDS 1 2025 Expected Cut Off
- How to Check CDS Cut Off?
- CDS Minimum Qualifying Marks
- Factors Determining CDS Cut Off Marks
- CDS Cut off 2025 for Written Exam
- CDS Cut off 2025 for SSB Interview
- CDS 1 Cut off 2025 for Final Selection
- CDS 2 2022 Cutoff
- Previous Years’ CDS Cut off Marks
CDS Cut off 2025
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. After the release of the CDS cut off the CDS result is released. 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.
Commonly asked questions
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the CDS 2 exam 2025 on September 14, 2025, at various centres across the country. The CDS 2 2025 result was released on the official website. Candidates who appeared for the CDS 2 exam in 2025 can check their result. It was released in the PDF format containing the roll numbers of qualified candidates, which can be downloaded from the official website. The CDS result declaration process occurs in two stages: first, the written examination results will be released, followed by the final results, which include the SSB Interview.
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam
| 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 2 2025 Expected Cut Off
After taking into consideration the difficulty level of the paper, we will provide CDS 2 expected cut-off in 2025. The expected cut-off will be disclosed to students so that they can analyse their performance. The number of CDS 2 vacancy and the difficulty level of the exam plays an important role in deciding the expected cut-off. Candidates can check below the CDS 2 expected cut-off:
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) |
Available Soon |
Available Soon |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) |
Available Soon |
Available Soon |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) |
Available Soon |
Available Soon |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) men |
Available Soon |
Available Soon |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) women |
Available Soon |
Available Soon |
CDS 1 2025 Expected Cut Off
After taking into consideration the difficulty level of the paper, we will provide the CDS 1 expected cutoff 2025. The expected cut-off is disclosed to students so that they can analyse their performance as well as know the chances of their selection for the next round. The number of CDS 1 vacancy and the difficulty level of the exam plays an important role in deciding the expected cut-off. Candidates can check below the CDS 1 expected cut-off 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 |
How to Check CDS Cut Off?
CDS cut-off will be released online on the official website-upsc.nic.in. The steps 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
CDS Minimum Qualifying Marks
The minimum qualifying marks for the CDS exam will help the candidates establish a target to score good attempts for the CDS exam. The candidates must check the previous years' question papers to get a rough idea of the difficulty level of the paper. The minimum qualifying marks for the CDS 2 exam are given below in the table:
| 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) |
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 Difficulty level of the exam
CDS Cut off 2025 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 Cut off 2025 for SSB Interview
CDS 1 Cut off 2025 for Final Selection
CDS 2 2022 Cutoff
Previous Years’ CDS Cut off Marks
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 22 hours ago
Here are the list of some of the books which can help candidates in their preparation.
- High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- English Grammar & Composition by S.C Gupta
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 22 hours ago
The authority released a total of 453 vacancies for the CDS 2 exam 2025 for admission to the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy for courses.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 23 hours ago
It is recommended to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre at least one hour prior to the reporting time. The CDS exam centre allotment is done on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 23 hours ago
Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 23 hours ago
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.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 23 hours ago
The steps 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
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
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.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The CDS exam is conducted in an offline mode that is in a pen-paper mode. The exam consists of objective type questions and need to mark their answers in an OMR sheet.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Apart from the salary, CDS officers receive several allowances, including DA, high altitude allowance, uniform allowance, transport allowance, medical aid, accommodation, children's education allowance, etc. It depends upon the amount of salary, and it varies depending on the designation and academy
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Candidates can check below the CDS 2 2025 age limit:
- IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007.
- INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007, can apply for INA
N
Contributor-Level 6
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What are the best books for the English subject for CDS preparation?