| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Cut Off | Academy-wise |
| Academies | IMA, INA, AFA and OTA |
| Minimum Qualifying Standard | As prescribed by UPSC |
| Cut-Off Basis | Written exam and final selection |
| Mode | Online publication |
| Official Source | UPSC |
CDS I 2026 Official Cut Off
The following table shows the official CDS I 2025 cut-off marks:
| Academy | Written Cut Off | Final Cut Off |
| IMA | 120/300 | 243/600 |
| INA | 104/300 | 230/600 |
| AFA | 128/300 | 253/600 |
| OTA Men | 81/200 | 163/400 |
| OTA Women | 81/200 | 171/400 |
The minimum qualifying standard in each subject was 20%.
CDS II 2026 Official Cut Off
UPSC has released the CDS II 2025 cut-off as well.
| Academy | Written Cut Off | Final Cut Off |
| IMA | 124.11/300 | 249.61/600 |
| INA | 109.23/300 | 238.50/600 |
| AFA | 132.51/300 | 263.67/600 |
| OTA Men | 80.01/200 | 162.84/400 |
| OTA Women | 98.06/200 | 193.01/400 |
The minimum qualifying standard was 20% in each subject.
CDS Cut Off 2026 : How It Is Decided
UPSC does not set one common cut-off for every CDS entry. The final cut-off can change from one examination to another.
| Factor | Effect on Cut Off |
| Exam Difficulty | A difficult paper can affect the overall cut-off |
| Number of Vacancies | More or fewer vacancies can affect competition |
| Number of Candidates | Higher competition can affect the cut-off |
| Candidate Performance | Overall scores influence the qualifying level |
| Academy | Different entries have different cut-offs |
| Written Exam | Determines qualification for SSB |
| SSB Performance | Matters for the final merit |
CDS 2026 Written Cut Off vs Final Cut Off
| Written Cut Off | Final Cut Off |
| Applies after the written examination | Applies after the complete selection process |
| Used to shortlist candidates for SSB | Used for final recommendation |
| Based on written exam marks | Includes written and SSB marks |
| Varies by academy | Varies by academy and course |
UPSC states that candidates must secure the required minimum marks in both the written examination and SSB test to be considered for selection.
Which CDS Academy Has the Highest Cut Off?
Recent official figures show that AFA often has a higher cut-off than the other CDS entries. In CDS I 2025, AFA had a written cut-off of 128/300 and a final cut-off of 253/600. In CDS II 2026 , its written cut-off was 132.51/300 and final cut-off was 263.67/600.
This does not mean the same pattern will apply to CDS 2026. The actual cut-off depends on that examination's results and selection conditions.
How to Check CDS 2026 Cut Off
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Visit the UPSC website |
| 2 | Open the Cut-off Marks section |
| 3 | Select the relevant year |
| 4 | Find the Combined Defence Services Examination |
| 5 | Open the cut-off document |
| 6 | Check the academy-wise marks |
UPSC maintains an official Cut-off Marks section containing CDS cut-off documents from previous examination cycles.
How to Use Previous CDS 2026 Cut Off
Previous cut-offs can help you set a realistic preparation target, but they should not be treated as a guaranteed score for the next examination.
| Your Score | What It Means |
| Below previous cut-off | You need stronger preparation |
| Around previous cut-off | Competition may be close |
| Above previous cut-off | Better position, but not guaranteed |
| Well above previous cut-off | Gives you a stronger margin |