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CDS 2 Exam Cut off 2025 - Check Expected & Previous year Cutoff Marks

CDS 2 Exam Cut off 2025 - Check Expected & Previous year Cutoff Marks

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on Jul 10, 2025 10:08 AM IST | #CDS
Upcoming Event
CDS  Exam Date : 14 Sep' 2025 - 14 Sep' 2025

UPSC CDS Cut off 2025 - Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC CDS 2 cut off 2025 on the official website after the final round. The UPSC CDS 2025 cut off pdf will be available at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC CDS cut off is the minimum score a candidate must obtain in the CDS exam. The CDS cut off 2025 will be determined based on many factors like the the difficulty level of the exam, number of vacancies, number of candidates who have appeared and final SSB interview. After the SSB Interview, a merit list will be prepared, and the final UPSC CDS result will be available to candidates on the UPSC website.

This Story also Contains
  1. CDS 2025 Expected Cut-Off
  2. CDS Result 2025
  3. CDS Answer Key 2025
CDS 2 Exam Cut off 2025 - Check Expected & Previous year Cutoff Marks
CDS 2 Exam Cut off 2025 - Check Expected & Previous year Cutoff Marks

CDS 2025 Expected Cut-Off

CDS levels

CDS 2 2025 Expected cutoff

CDS 2 2025 Expected cutoff

AFA

132-135

130-135

IMA

118-121

120-123

INA

109-112

108-111

CDS OTA Cut Off 2025 (Expected)

CDS levels

CDS 2 2025 Expected cutoff

CDS 2 2025 Expected cutoff

OTA (female)

81-84

80-83

OTA (male)

81-84

82-85


Factors Affecting the CDS Cut off 2025

Several factors affect the UPSC CDS cut off 2025. Candidates can check the factors affecting the cut off of CDS 2 exam below.

  • Number of applicants

  • Number of vacancies

  • Difficulty level

  • Previous year CDS Cutoff trends

Quick links:

How To Check CDS Cut off 2025?

Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC - upsc.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on the examination tab and select cut off marks from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Select CDS 2 cut off 2025 from the list.

Step 4: Download the CDS 2025 cutoff PDF for future reference.

Stages of CDS Cut off 2025

Union Public Service Commission will release the CDS 2 cut off for written exam and final cut off. For more details regarding the CDS cut off, candidates can check the below mentioned stages.

CDS Cut off 2025 - Written Exam

The written UPSC CDS 2 2025 is the first stage of the CDS exam. Candidates appearing for the exam must score equal to or more than the CDS 2 qualifying marks to qualify for the next stage. The minimum cut off marks for CDS 2025 is 20% in all three papers. The written exam of CDS 2 2025 comprises three papers while candidates appearing for OTA have to appear for only two CDS papers.

CDS Cut off 2025 - Final Merit List

The final merit list of CDS 2025 will be released based on the performance of candidates in the CDS 2025 written exam, SSB interview, and medical exam. Candidates who clear the CDS written exam 2025 will be called for an SSB interview and medical examination. After qualifying in all these stages they will be recruited to the vacant posts as released by UPSC.

Previous Years' CDS Cut off

Candidates can check the CDS previous year's cut off mark to check the past year's trends. With the help of the previous year's CDS 2 cut off marks, candidates can check the expected cut off and safe scores to qualify for the exam. For more details of CDS total marks and cut off, refer to the table given below.

CDS 1 2024 cut off

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam


Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

120 (out of 300 marks)

244 (out of 600 marks)

INA

100 (out of 300 marks)

230 (out of 600 marks)

AFA

128 (out of 300 marks)

250 (out of 600 marks)

OTA (Men)

87 (out of 200 marks)

168 (out of 400 marks)

OTA(Women)

87 (out of 200 marks)

168 (out of 400 marks)

CDS 2 2023 cut off

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam


Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

127 marks (out of 300)

250 (out of 600)

INA

110 marks (out of 300)

237 (out of 600)

AFA

136 marks (out of 300)

259 (out of 600)

OTA (Men)

104 marks (out of 200)

185 (out of 400

OTA(Women)

104 marks (out of 200)

188 (out of 400)

CDS 1 2023 cut off

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam


Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

132

257

INA

122

247

AFA

142

266

OTA (Men)

101

181

OTA(Women)

101

184

CDS 2 2022 cut off

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam


Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

126

249

INA

118

248

AFA

136

258

OTA (Men)

98

180

OTA(Women)

98

179

CDS 1 2022 cut off

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam


Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

136

258

INA

128

256

AFA

147

269

OTA (Men)

100

181

OTA(Women)

100

184

CDS 2 2021 cut off

Academy

Written Exam

Final Exam


Aggregate marks of last

qualified candidate*

Marks of last recommended

candidate

IMA

138

263

INA

132

256

AFA

148

270

OTA (Men)

102

183

OTA(Women)

102

184

Note: *Subject to a minimum of 20% marks in each CDS paper.

CDS 1 2021 cut off

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

Note: *Subject to a minimum of 20% marks in each paper.

Quick links:

CDS Result 2025

Union Public Service Commission will release the CDS 2 2025 result at upsc.gov.in. UPSC CDS result 2025 will be released in PDF format having names and roll numbers of all the qualified candidates. Candidates need to obtain marks equivalent to the CDS cut off to qualify for further stages. Candidates who get shortlisted in the CDS result 2025 are called for an SSB interview. Qualified candidates from SSB will be called for a Medical examination.

Quick links:

CDS Answer Key 2025

The CDS exam conducting authorities release the CDS 2 2025 answer key after the conclusion of the selection process. The CDS exam 2025 answer key will be released for all the sets of CDS question papers. Some coaching institutes also release the CDS 2 2025 answer key right after the examination. With the help of the answer key, candidates can check the answer key to calculate their estimated score.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the full form of CDS 2025?

The CDS Full Form is Combined Defence Services exam.

2. What is the selection process of the CDS exam 2025?

The CDS selection process 2025 comprises of a written exam, SSB interview and medical examination.

3. What is a good score in CDS?

Going by the previous year cut off trends, a good score in IMA is 255+, in INA it is 240+, in AFA it is 270+ while in OTA men and women it is 175+ and 178+ respectively.

4. Where CDS 2025 result will come?

The CDS 2 result will be released on the official website upsc.gov.in.

5. How do I check my CDS 2 results?

To check the CDS results, candidates must visit the official website.

6. How will the cut off of CDS 2025 be released?

Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC CDS 2025 cut off on their official website.

7. Where can I get the CDS cut off subject wise?

Candidates will be able to get the CDS cut off 2025 on the official website after completion of the written exam. The CDS cut off subject-wise can be found online on the official website.

8. Is CDS cut off 2025 released?

yes, the commission releases the CDS 2 cut off 2025 after the recruitment process is over.

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Questions related to CDS

Have a question related to CDS ?

Hi dear candidate,

To be eligible for CDS 1 Exam 2026, your age should fall between 20 to 24 years old. And with your date of birth of 21 December 2002, means that you will be 23 years old as of 1st January, 2026. CDS 1 exam 2026 is expected to take place in April 2026.

Considering the above:

Yes, you will be able to give exam for CDS 1 in 2026.

ALL THE BEST !

Yes, You are eligible to apply for CDS OTA 2026(April exam) Based on your date of birth

Make sure you also:

  • Graduation degree from a recognised(Or are in the final year).
  • Or unmarried(For OTASSC non-technical entry).
  • Meet the required, medical and physical standard as per SSB/UPSE Norms .

Hello Aditya,

As a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) student after your 12th board exam, you cannot directly appear for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam because it requires a bachelor’s degree. However, here’s a clear and concise guide on how you can prepare for and give the CDS exam after completing further studies, tailored to your background:

  1. Understand CDS Eligibility : The CDS exam, conducted by UPSC twice a year, recruits for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).

    • Educational Requirement :

      • IMA and OTA: Any bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
      • INA: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
      • AFA: Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at 12th level or Bachelor of Engineering.

    • For PCB Students : Since you don’t have Mathematics in 12th, you’re eligible for IMA and OTA after completing a bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.Sc., B.A.). INA and AFA are not an option unless you pursue an engineering degree or have Mathematics at the graduation level.

    • Age Limit : 19–25 years (varies by academy; check upsc.gov.in for 2025 details).

  2. Steps to Prepare After 12th :

    • Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree : Enroll in a degree program (e.g., B.Sc. in Biology, Chemistry, or related fields, or even B.A.) to meet CDS eligibility. This takes 3–4 years.

    • Apply for CDS During Final Year : You can apply for CDS in the final year of your degree, provided you complete graduation before the training starts.

    • Application Process :

      • Visit upsconline.nic.in when notifications are released (typically December 2024 for CDS I 2025 and May 2025 for CDS II 2025).

      • Fill out the form, pay the fee (Rs. 200; exemptions for SC/ST/females), and select IMA/OTA as your preference.

  3. CDS Exam Structure :

    • For IMA/OTA : Written exam includes English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (Maths is optional for OTA).

    • PCB Advantage : Your Biology and Chemistry background helps with General Knowledge (science sections). English preparation is manageable with practice.

    • Challenge : If you’re weak in Mathematics, focus on OTA, where Maths is not required, or practice basic 10th-level Maths for IMA.

    • Next Steps : Clear the written exam, then pass the SSB interview and medical test.



I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

To prepare for CDS, CGL, and CAT during graduation, create a clear study schedule focusing on basics, reasoning, and aptitude. Practice daily mocks, improve time management, and stay consistent. Balance college and preparation with discipline and regular revision.

Your date of birth is 24th February 2006, and you will complete graduation in July 2028. For the CDS exam, the maximum number of attempts depends on your age limit and category, but generally, candidates have around 4 to 6 attempts before reaching the age limit.

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