The CDS cut off marks play a crucial role in determining whether a candidate qualifies for the SSB Interview and ultimately secures a place in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), or Air Force Academy (AFA).
With CDS 2026 approaching, aspirants are keen to know the expected CDS cut off marks for 2026 to set realistic score targets and plan their preparation strategy accordingly. This article provides a complete analysis of CDS cut off marks, including previous year trends, expected cut off for 2026, factors affecting cut off, and smart score-planning tips.
What Is CDS Cut Off?
The CDS cut off marks are the minimum marks a candidate must score in the written examination to be shortlisted for the SSB interview. UPSC releases cut off marks academy-wise and exam-wise after the final result.
There are two stages of cut off:
Written Exam Cut Off
Final Cut Off (Written + SSB)
This article mainly focuses on the expected written exam cut off for CDS 2026.
CDS 2026 Exam – Written Marks Structure
| Academy | Papers | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | English + GK + Maths | 300 |
| INA | English + GK + Maths | 300 |
| AFA | English + GK + Maths | 300 |
| OTA (Men & Women) | English + GK | 200 |
Candidates must also score minimum qualifying marks in each paper separately.
Previous Year CDS Cut Off Trends (Written Exam)
Understanding past trends helps in accurately predicting the CDS 2026 expected cut off.
CDS Previous Year Written Cut Off (Approximate Range)
| Academy | Cut Off Range |
|---|---|
| IMA | 120 – 135 / 300 |
| INA | 125 – 140 / 300 |
| AFA | 140 – 155 / 300 |
| OTA (Men) | 90 – 105 / 200 |
| OTA (Women) | 90 – 105 / 200 |
CDS Cut Off Marks – Expected for 2026 (Academy-Wise)
Based on previous year trends, exam difficulty level, and competition, the expected CDS 2026 written cut off is as follows:
Expected CDS 2026 Cut Off for IMA
Expected Cut Off: 125 – 135 marks (out of 300)
Papers: English, GK, Maths
Safe Score Target for IMA:
👉 145+ marks to comfortably clear the cut off
Expected CDS 2026 Cut Off for INA
Expected Cut Off: 130 – 140 marks (out of 300)
Papers: English, GK, Maths
Safe Score Target for INA:
👉 150+ marks
INA cut off is slightly higher due to limited vacancies and engineering background competition.
Expected CDS 2026 Cut Off for AFA
Expected Cut Off: 145 – 155 marks (out of 300)
Papers: English, GK, Maths
Safe Score Target for AFA:
👉 165+ marks
AFA usually has the highest cut off among all academies.
Expected CDS 2026 Cut Off for OTA (Men)
Expected Cut Off: 95 – 105 marks (out of 200)
Papers: English, GK
Safe Score Target for OTA (Men):
👉 115+ marks
Expected CDS 2026 Cut Off for OTA (Women)
Expected Cut Off: 95 – 105 marks (out of 200)
Papers: English, GK
Safe Score Target for OTA (Women):
👉 115+ marks
Factors Affecting CDS 2026 Cut Off Marks
Several factors influence the CDS cut off every year:
1. Difficulty Level of the Exam
Tough GK or Maths → lower cut off
Easy paper → higher cut off
2. Number of Vacancies
Fewer vacancies → higher cut off
More vacancies → lower cut off
3. Number of Appearing Candidates
Higher competition directly increases cut off.
4. Candidate Performance
If overall performance is good, UPSC raises the cut off.
5. Academy Preference
AFA and INA usually have higher cut offs due to technical and flying branch demand.
Minimum Qualifying Marks Rule (Very Important)
To be considered for cut off:
Minimum 20–25% marks in each paper (varies year to year)
Failing in any one paper = disqualification, even if total score is high
How Much Should You Score to Clear CDS 2026 Comfortably?
| Academy | Recommended Safe Score |
|---|---|
| IMA | 145 – 150 |
| INA | 150 – 155 |
| AFA | 165 – 170 |
| OTA | 115 – 120 |
Tips to Beat CDS 2026 Cut Off
Focus on accuracy over attempts
Avoid blind guessing due to negative marking
Strengthen English and GK (high scoring)
Solve 10–15 years of PYQs
Attempt mock tests regularly
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – CDS Cut Off 2026
Q1. Is CDS cut off same for all academies?
No, CDS cut off varies for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
Q2. Does CDS cut off change every year?
Yes, CDS cut off changes depending on exam difficulty, vacancies, and competition.
Q3. Is there any category-wise cut off in CDS?
No, CDS has no category-wise cut off. The same cut off applies to all candidates.
Q4. Is clearing written cut off enough for selection?
No, candidates must also clear the SSB interview and medical examination.
Q5. Which academy has the highest CDS cut off?
The Air Force Academy (AFA) usually has the highest cut off.
Q6. When will UPSC release CDS 2026 cut off marks?
UPSC releases cut off marks after the final result, usually months after the exam.
Conclusion
The CDS 2026 cut off marks are a critical benchmark for aspirants targeting IMA, OTA, INA, or AFA. While cut offs vary every year, having a clear target score above the expected range significantly improves your chances of qualifying for the SSB interview.
Smart preparation, strong fundamentals, and disciplined practice can help you not just clear the cut off, but stay well ahead of it.
