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UPSC CDS Passing Marks 2024

The UPSC CDS 2024 passing marks range between 119 and 131 for the written exam, and 244 to 256 for the final exam at IMA. Explore past UPSC CDS cutoffs to grasp the qualifying criteria for UPSC CDS 2024.

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The projected UPSC CDS Passing Marks for 2024 at IMA are expected to span from 119 to 131 for the written exam and 244 to 256 for the final assessment. For INA, the expected passing marks range from 104 to 121 for the written exam and 232 to 246 for the final evaluation. Candidates need to secure at least 20% in each subject during the written examination. These passing marks signify the minimum threshold candidates must achieve for selection. It's crucial to note that candidates must attain the minimum qualifying marks separately in both the written exam and SSB interview for UPSC CDS. Explore previous years' cutoffs to gain insight into the Combined Defence Services Examination, which encompasses recruitment for various branches of the Indian Defence Forces: INA (Indian Naval Academy), IMA (Indian Military Academy), OTA (Officers’ Training Academy), and AFA (Air Force Academy).

Also Read : What is a Good Score in UPSC CDS?

UPSC CDS Passing Marks 2024

UPSC Combined Defence Service conducts the entrance exam for various academies including the AFA, INA, and OTA (both male and female candidates). The table below depicts the expected cut-off for UPSC CDS 2024. It has marks for all four academies.

Academy/ Exam Round

AFA

INA

IMA

OTA (Women)

OTA (Men)

Written Exam

146-151

104-121

119-131

75-85

73-84

Final Exam

267-271

232-246

244-256

164-170

161-170

UPSC CDS Minimum Qualifying Marks

By knowing the minimum qualifying marks for the CDS exam, candidates will be able to estimate the number of good attempts to establish a target score for the CDS exam. Check the table below to gain insight into the minimum qualifying marks for the CDS 1 exam:

Course Written Exam Result
Minimum Qualifying Marks in Each Subject
IMA (Indian Military Academy)

20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent)

INA (Indian Naval Academy)

20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent)

AFA (Air Force Academy)

20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent)

OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) - Men

20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent)

OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) - Women

20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent)

Also Read : How to Score 120+ in UPSC CDS 2024 Exam?

How to Check CDS Passing Marks 2024

Candidates must follow the steps below to check the UPSC CDS passing marks.

  • Step 1 : Go to the official website of UPSC CDS, i.e. www.upsc.gov.in
  • Step 2 : Click on the 'Examination' tab.
  • Step 3 : Check the dropdown menu and click on the 'Cut-off Marks'.
  • Step 4 : Candidates can easily find the link in the table for CDS cut-off marks.
  • Step 5 : Click on the link provided for the PDF file. Download and save it.

How to Calculate UPSC CDS Exam Marks 2024

Candidates who have appeared for the UPSC CDS exam must know how to calculate the marks. Following the below-mentioned steps, candidates can calculate the UPSC CDS Exam marks:

  • UPSC CDS exam includes a total of 300 objective questions. The total marks are 300 except for OTA. OTA has 200 objective questions that are evaluated for 200 marks in total.

  • For each incorrect answer, candidates will face a negative mark. If candidates provide an incorrect answer, 0.33 marks will be deducted for it.

  • For unattempted questions, there will be a deduction of marks.

Factors Influencing UPSC CDS Passing Marks 2024

The candidates will have to match the cut-off to qualify for the exam. For all categories, the cut-off might be different. There are various factors influencing the UPSC CDS cut-off 2024. The candidates must be aware of the factors affecting the CDS cut-off 2024:

  • Number of Vacancies
  • Total number of candidates who appeared for the exam
  • Difficulty level of the exam
  • Category

CDS Cutoff 2024 – Written Exam

In the first stage, candidates have to go through a written exam. They must match the cut-off or score higher than the cut-off. Only then can they qualify for the next round of the CDS exam. UPSC CDS written exam consists of three papers while candidates appearing for OTA have to give only two papers. In all three papers, aspirants have to score at least 20% marks, which is the minimum cut-off for the CDS exam.

UPSC CDS Cutoff 2024 - Final Merit List

Based on the performance of candidates in the written exam, SSB interview, and medical exam, the merit list of CDS 2024 is made public. Candidates who pass the CDS written exam 2023 will further have to appear for an SSB interview round. If selected for an SSB interview, candidates will have to face a medical examination. The candidates who qualify for all three stages of the CDS exam will be selected for the vacancies released by UPSC CDS.

UPSC CDS Previous Year Cutoffs

The cut-off for any exam is the minimum qualifying marks required for candidates to qualify for the exam. The UPSC CDS passing marks or cut-off marks vary for candidates from different categories and they are affected by numerous attributes. Applicants must analyze the cut-off trends of UPSC CDS from the previous year to target the score appropriately. In the following table, we have provided the cut-off marks for the UPSC CDS exam from the previous year. It includes scores for diverse branches of the Indian Defence Forces. The candidates can check the cut-off marks for OTA (Officers’ Training Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy), and IMA (Indian Military Academy).

UPSC CDS Cutoff 2023

Name of the Academy

Written Exam Result

Final Exam Result

Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject

A ggregate marks of last qualified candidate

A ggregate marks of last qualified candidate

IMA

20 per cent

147 marks

269 marks

INA

128 marks

256 marks

AFA

136 marks

258 marks

OTA (Men)

100 marks

181 marks

OTA (Women)

100 marks

184 marks

UPSC CDS Cutoff 2022

Course Written Exam Result Final Exam Result
Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject Minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate Minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate

IMA

20 per cent

145 marks (i.e. 46 per cent)

268 marks

INA

136 marks (i.e. 44 per cent)

260

AFA

158 marks (i.e. 49.33 per cent)

281

OTA (Men)

107 marks (i.e. 51 per cent)

189

OTA (Women)

107 marks (i.e. 51 per cent)

191

UPSC CDS Cutoff 2021

Course Written Exam Result Final Exam Result
Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject Minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate Minimum aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate

IMA

20 per cent

152

279 marks

INA

139 marks

263

AFA

158 marks (i.e. 49.33 per cent)

281

OTA (Men)

107 marks (i.e. 51 per cent)

189

OTA (Women)

107 marks (i.e. 51 per cent)

191

The UPSC CDS I 2024 exam was conducted on April 21, 2024. The recruitment exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year. The exam is held at various exam centers throughout India. Once the UPSC announces the official cut-off marks, we will update the information. Candidates should be aware of the factors that affect the cut-off marks and, accordingly, prepare well to qualify for the exam!

Related Links:

For more information about the UPSC CDS exam, stay tuned with us!

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