CDS Cutoff 2026 Expected; Check Previous Year Cutoff & Trends
DS 2 Cutoff 2026 will be released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on its official website after the declaration of the CDS 2 2026 written exam result, conducted on September 13, 2026. Candidates will be able to check the cutoff marks in PDF format at upsc.gov.in, which will indicate the minimum qualifying scores required to qualify for the SSB interview stage. The official cutoff will be released after the completion of the written examination and result process.
CDS 2 Expected Cutoff 2026
CDS 2 Cutoff 2026 will be released by UPSC after the declaration of the written exam result. Meanwhile, candidates can refer to the expected cutoff marks based on previous-year trends and the difficulty level of the CDS 2 2026 exam. The expected cutoff varies for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. IMA, INA, and AFA cutoffs are calculated out of 300 marks, while the OTA cutoff is calculated out of 200 marks. Candidates must also secure at least 20% marks in each subject.
| Academy | Expected Cutoff 2026 | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 122–126 | 300 |
| INA | 106–112 | 300 |
| AFA | 130–136 | 300 |
| OTA (Men) | 80–84 | 200 |
| OTA (Women) | 96–100 | 200 |
CDS 1 2026 Expected Cutoff
The expected cutoffs for CDS 1 2026 are given below:
| CDS Posts | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 110 – 125 | 245 – 255 |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 108 – 115 | 230 – 244 |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 135 – 142 | 260 – 270 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) - Men | 90 – 94 | 160 – 170 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) - Women | 90 – 95 | 158 – 165 |
Factors Affecting CDS 2 2026 Cutoff
- Number of candidates: The more candidates appear for the CDS exam, the higher the cutoff usually is.
- Number of vacancies: If fewer vacancies are available, the cutoff tends to be higher due to competition.
- Difficulty level: A tougher exam generally results in a lower cutoff, while an easier exam raises the cutoff marks.
- Previous year trends: Changes in syllabus, exam pattern, or candidate performance influence the cutoff each year.
- Minimum qualifying marks: Candidates must score at least 20% in each subject to be eligible.
- Negative marking: Wrong answers carry penalties, which affect overall scores and thus the cutoff.
- Reservation category: Cutoff marks may vary for different categories like General, OBC, SC, and ST.
- Total marks distribution: Different academies (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA) have varying total marks and cutoff standards.
- Candidate performance: Overall performance of the candidates in that session impacts the cutoff calculation.
- Unfilled vacancies: Sometimes leftover vacancies from previous years can affect current cutoff trends.
CDS 2025 Cutoff
The cut-off marks for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) 1 Examination 2025 were released on the official website. These marks show the minimum scores required to qualify for the written exam and final selection.
CDS 1 2025 Cutoff
For CDS 1, the written exam required candidates to score above the minimum qualifying marks with at least 20% in each subject. The final cut-off marks represent the scores of the last recommended candidates.
| Academy | Written Exam (Last Qualified) | Final Exam (Last Recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 120 (out of 300) | 243 (out of 600) |
| INA | 104 (out of 300) | 230 (out of 600) |
| AFA | 128 (out of 300) | 253 (out of 600) |
| OTA (Men) | 81 (out of 200) | 163 (out of 400) |
| OTA (Women) | 81 (out of 200) | 171 (out of 400) |
Download CDS 1 2025 Cutoff PDF
CDS Previous Year Cutoff
Candidates can check the previous year CDS cutoff marks to understand the cutoff trends for different academies. The table below provides the CDS 1 and CDS 2 cutoff marks for 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, along with links to the respective cutoff PDFs.
| Year | Download CDS 1 Cutoff PDF | Download CDS 2 Cutoff PDF |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | [CDS 1 Cutoff 2024] | [CDS 2 Cutoff 2024] |
| 2023 | [CDS 1 Cutoff 2023] | [CDS 2 Cutoff 2023] |
| 2022 | [CDS 1 Cutoff 2022] | [CDS 2 Cutoff 2022] |
| 2021 | [CDS 1 Cutoff 2021] | [CDS 2 Cutoff 2021] |
CDS Cutoff helps candidates understand the minimum marks required to qualify for the next stage of the selection process. The cutoff varies for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA based on factors such as exam difficulty, vacancies, and overall candidate performance. Candidates can also refer to the previous year cutoff trends to assess their expected qualifying chances. The official CDS 1 2026 and CDS 2 2026 cutoff marks will be released by UPSC along with the respective results or final result process.
CDS Cutoff 2026 FAQs
Ques: How can I check the CDS cutoff for the 2026 exam?
Ans: Candidates can check the CDS 2026 cutoff on the UPSC website by downloading the PDF link available under the exam section after the cutoff is published.
Ques: Are cutoff marks the same for all academies in CDS exam 2026?
Ans: No, the cutoff marks vary for different academies like IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA because each has different vacancies and exam standards.
Ques: Can CDS 2026 cutoff marks change every year?
Ans: Yes, CDS cutoff changes every year based on exam difficulty, candidate performance, and vacancy count.
Ques: Will UPSC release separate cutoffs for the written exam and final selection?
Ans: Yes, UPSC releases separate cutoff marks for the written exam and the final selection, including the SSB interview scores.
Ques: What happens if I score below CDS cutoff in 2026?
Ans: If a candidate scores below CDS 2026 cutoff, they will not be eligible for the SSB interview or further selection processes.
Ques: How can CDS cutoff 2026 help candidates?
Ans: CDS cutoff 2026 helps candidates understand the competition level and set a target score to clear the written exam successfully.
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