The UPSC CDS Passing Marks 2024 for the IMA can be estimated to range from 119 – 131 for the written exam and 244 – 256 for the final exam. For INA, the passing marks can be expected to vary from 104 – 121 for the written exam and 232 – 246 for the final exam. Candidates are required to obtain at least 20% in each subject in the written part of the exam. The UPSC CDS Passing Marks 2024 implies the minimum qualifying score that applicants must obtain to get selected. It is important to note that candidates are required to score the minimum qualifying marks separately in the UPSC CDS written exam and SSB interview. It is mandatory for candidates to meet the cut-off in order to get selected for the next phase of the CDS exam. The official cut off will be published by UPSC a few weeks after the exam. UPSC will release the CDS minimum qualifying marks or cut off list for the written exam and the final merit list separately on its the official website.
The UPSC CDS I 2024 exam was conducted on April 21, 2024. The recruitment exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice in a year. The exam is held at various exam centres throughout India. After the completion of exam, students often start searching for exam cut-off to get an idea of how much they would need to score in the exam in order to qualify the exam with flying colours. Read the article to know the previous years’ cut-off marks for the Combined Defence Services Examination. CDS includes recruitment for various branches of the India Defence Forces, such as 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?
Factors Influencing UPSC CDS Passing Marks 2024
The candidates will have to match the cut-off to qualify the exam. For all categories, 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, they can 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 atleast 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 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 in SSB interview, candidates will have to face the medical examination. The candidates who qualify all three stages of the CDS exam will be selected for the vacancies released by UPSC CDS.
UPSC CDS Expected Cutoff 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?
UPSC CDS Previous Year Cutoffs
UPSC CDS Cutoff 2022
The cut-off for any exam is the minimum qualifying marks required for candidates to qualify 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 previous year cut off trends of UPSC CDS to target the score appropriately. In the following table, we have provided the previous year’s cut-off marks for the UPSC CDS exam. It includes scores for diverse branches of the India 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).
Name of the Academy | Written Exam Result | Final Exam Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Aggregate 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 2021
When applying for the CDS examination, candidates have to first appear for the written exam. After scoring high marks and qualifying the exam, they are selected for the final exam. Both exams are applicable for all four academies (AFA, OTA, INA, and IMA). The table below shows the category-wise UPSC CDS (1) 2021 cut-off marks for candidates.
| 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 2020
The passing marks for the UPSC CDS written and final exam is provided in the table below. Based on the result of the final exam, candidates are selected for the SSB interview.
| 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 | |
UPSC CDS Cutoff 2019
The candidates who were a part of the CDS cycle for the year 2019 can check the official final cut-off marks for each academy.
CDS 1 2019 Official Cut-off
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
| IMA | 116 | 242 |
| INA | 105 | 233 |
| AFA | 129 | 264 |
| OTA (Men) | 78 | 160 |
| OTA(Women) | 78 | 162 |
CDS 2 2019 Official Cut-off
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each subject | Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | |
| IMA | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 134 marks (i.e. 44.67 per cent) | 258 |
| INA | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 122 marks (i.e. 40.67 per cent) | 245 |
| AFA | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 148 marks (i.e. 49.33 per cent) | 272 |
| OTA (Men) | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 95 marks (i.e. 47.5 per cent) | 176 |
| OTA(Women) | 20 marks (i.e. 20 per cent) | 95 marks (i.e. 47.5 per cent) | 179 |
UPSC CDS Cutoff 2018
By going through the CDS previous year cut-off, candidates can set a safe target to qualify the CDS exam. Considering the target, aspirants can prepare an effective strategy that helps them to pass the CDS exam smoothly. Rember, it is essential to score at least 20% to qualify the CDS. Check the cut-off table below to get an idea of the marks.
CDS 1 cut off 2018
Candidates must have scored a minimum of 20 per cent marks in each paper.
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
IMA | 118 | 240 |
INA | 98 | 225 |
AFA | 138 | 279 |
OTA(Men) | 69 | 154 |
OTA(Women) | 69 | 150 |
CDS 2 Cut off 2018
| Marks of last qualified candidate | Written Result | Final Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | |
IMA | 20 per cent | 116 marks (i.e. 38.67 per cent) | 242 marks |
INA | 102 marks (i.e. 34 per cent) | 228 marks | |
AFA | 131 marks (i.e. 43.67 per cent) | 253 marks | |
OTA (Men) | 80 marks (i.e. 40 per cent) | 162 marks | |
OTA (Women) | 80 marks (i.e. 40 per cent) | 163 marks | |
Also Read: How to Crack CDS SSB Interview 2024 in First Attempt
UPSC CDS Cutoff 2017
Get detailed information for the UPSC CDS cut-off 2017. The table below shows the marks required by applicants to qualify for the next round.
CDS 1 Cut off 2017
Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
IMA | 125 | 249 |
INA | 118 | 241 |
AFA | 144 | 268 |
OTA (Men) | 82 | 163 |
OTA (Women) | 82 | 164 |
CDS 2 Cut off 2017
| Marks of last qualified candidates | Written Result | Final Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Marks of last recommended candidate | |
IMA | 20 per cent | 120 marks (i.e. 40 per cent) | 244 marks |
INA | 111 marks (i.e. 37 per cent) | 237 marks | |
AFA | 135 marks (i.e. 45 per cent) | 260 marks | |
OTA (Men) | 86 marks (i.e. 43 per cent) | 167 marks | |
OTA (Women) | 86 marks (i.e. 43 per cent) | 171 marks | |
UPSC CDS Cutoff 2016
To reach the prestigious job position released by the UPSC, candidates need to score good marks in the exam. The applicants are advised to prepare for the exam by solving various question papers. The following table provides them an idea of the variation in cut-off for different candidates from diverse categories. This will help candidates to analyze the number of questions required to be targeted to get qualified.
CDS 1 Cut off 2016
Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate | Aggregate marks of the last qualified candidate | |
IMA | 72 | 214 |
INA | 63 | 217 |
AFA | 123 | 249 |
OTA (Men) | 68 | 150 |
OTA (Women) | 68 | 157 |
CDS 2 Cut off 2016
| Marks of last qualified candidate | Written Result | Final Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying marks in each Subject | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | Minimum aggregate marks of last qualified candidate | ||||
IMA | 20 per cent | 105 marks (i.e. 35 per cent) | 227 marks | |||
INA | 90 marks (i.e. 30 per cent) | 225 marks | ||||
AFA | 135 marks (i.e. 45 per cent) | 258 marks | ||||
OTA (Men) | 72 marks (i.e. 36 per cent) | 157 marks | ||||
OTA (Women) | 72 marks (i.e. 36 per cent) | 159 marks | ||||
UPSC CDS Cutoff 2015
The CDS previous year cut-off gives candidates an idea to set a target. To achieve the desired score, candidates can also make an effective strategy. Below is the table depicting the cut-off marks for UPSC CDS. The details are provided for the written exam and final exam in the table below:
Academy/ Exam Round | AFA | INA | IMA | OTA (Women) | OTA (Men) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written Exam | 129 | 99 | 102 | 86 | 86 |
Final Exam | 264 | 225 | 225 | 172 | 168 |
How to Check CDS Passing Marks 2024
Candidates must follow the steps given below to go through 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 negative marking. If candidates provide an incorrect answer, 0.33 marks will be deducted for it.
For unattemtpted questions, there will be deduction of marks.
The article has given detailed information for UPSC CDS cut-off for different years. In addition to the previous year's cut-off marks, an expected cut-off for this year is also provided. Soon, after the UPSC CDS 2024 cut-off is made public, we will update the information. Moreover, candidates must be aware of the factors that affect the cutoff marks. Considering all the things, candidates should prepare well to qualify the exam.
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