CDS Cut Off Marks 2026: Entry-Wise Expected Cut Off & Previous Year Trends

CDS cut off marks 2026 are the minimum scores candidates must achieve in both the written exam and SSB to be considered for final merit listing. Understanding entry-wise cut offs — IMA, OTA, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy — and how they’ve trended over previous years helps you set the right target score and plan your preparation strategically. This guide covers CDS 1 and CDS 2 2025 actual cut offs and expected 2026 predictions.

How CDS Cut Off Works

The CDS selection process has two stages, each with its own cut off:

• Written Exam Cut Off: Minimum marks in each paper (English, GK, Maths) AND in aggregate to qualify for SSB call-up. UPSC announces the written exam cut off after SSB results.
• SSB Cut Off: A minimum SSB score (typically around 300 out of 900) required for final recommendation. The exact SSB qualifying score varies by entry and vacancy.
• Final Merit Cut Off: Combined written + SSB score required for actual selection into each academy. This is the most competitive stage — vacancies are limited.

Cut offs vary between CDS 1 and CDS 2, and between entries (IMA cut off is typically higher than OTA due to fewer vacancies and higher competition). Check the official UPSC website for declared cut offs after each exam.

CDS 1 2025 Cut Off Marks (Written Exam)

Entry	English Min.	GK Min.	Maths Min.	Aggregate Cut Off
IMA	20	20	20	~116–120
OTA	20	20	N/A	~75–85
Naval Academy	20	20	20	~120–130
Air Force Academy	20	20	20	~118–125

Note: Sectional minimum (20 marks) must be cleared in each paper. Aggregate cut offs are approximate based on trends — official declared cut offs are published on UPSC’s website after SSB results.

CDS 2 2025 Cut Off Marks (Written Exam)

Entry	Approximate Written Aggregate Cut Off	vs CDS 1 2025
IMA	~108–115	Slightly lower (harder paper)
OTA (Men)	~70–80	Similar
OTA (Women)	~65–75	Slightly lower
Naval Academy	~112–122	Similar
Air Force Academy	~110–120	Similar

SSB Cut Off and Final Merit

The SSB has a total of 900 marks. The minimum qualifying SSB score (to be recommended) is approximately 300 marks. However, due to limited vacancies, the actual merit cut off for final selection is significantly higher — typically 450–550+ for IMA and Naval Academy. This means clearing SSB is only step one — you also need to score competitively in the SSB to make the final merit list. For complete SSB preparation, see our CDS SSB Interview 2026 guide.

Expected CDS Cut Off 2026

Based on 5-year trend analysis, here are the expected written exam cut offs for CDS 2026:

Entry	Expected Written Cut Off 2026	Safe Target Score
IMA	110–125	145+ (out of 300)
OTA (Men)	72–85	100+ (out of 200)
OTA (Women)	65–78	95+ (out of 200)
Naval Academy	115–130	150+ (out of 300)
Air Force Academy	112–125	148+ (out of 300)

Always target 15–20 marks above the expected cut off to create a safety buffer for paper difficulty variation.

How to Plan Your Target Score

• Start with your entry choice: IMA/Naval/AFA require Maths — target 40+ in Maths (out of 100) to safely clear the sectional minimum with buffer. OTA only needs English + GK.
• Aim for 50%+ in each paper: 50 marks in each of English, GK, Maths puts you well above typical cut offs for all entries.
• Don’t sacrifice one paper for another: Sectional minimums are non-negotiable. Scoring 90 in Maths but failing GK will eliminate you despite a high aggregate.
• Track your mock test scores: If you’re consistently scoring above the expected cut off in mocks under timed conditions, your preparation is on track.

For structured CDS preparation that targets the right scores in all three papers, CDS coaching in Chandigarh at NCA Academy includes regular sectional mock tests and score tracking. Online CDS coaching with live classes and mock series is available for candidates preparing from home. Also see our CDS coaching centres across India.

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