Latest update — 6 October 2026
Prepare for 2026–27 using the current examination scheme. The latest verified prior-cycle cut-offs below remain labelled with their actual year; no unannounced 2026 marks are invented.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Current session | 2026 examination and 2027 preparation |
| Current cut-off status | No verified 2026 final cut-off is supplied in this guide |
| Benchmark below | Official completed-cycle marks; the year remains attached |
| Correct comparison | Match stage, academy/service, category and score scale |
Latest notification and result stage
Detailed guide: CDS 2026–27: Notification, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Latest Updates
Detailed guide: CDS Result 2026: CDS I & II Status, PDF Links & SSB Steps
CDS II 2026 was held on 13 September; UPSC uploaded the three official papers on 14 September. The reviewed examination page does not yet show a CDS II written-result entry. For the next attempt, the official calendar schedules CDS I 2027 for 11 April 2027.
When is the current cut-off available?
Use UPSC’s official cut-off index and the examination-specific PDF. A qualifying minimum in a notification is not the competitive cut-off; an expected score on a coaching site is not an official threshold. This guide does not convert last year’s marks into a current result.
Previous official cut-off — 2025 benchmark
| Academy | Written examination | Final stage |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
How to use the benchmark
Compare like-for-like scores only. Check whether the published figure is a written cut-off or final aggregate and whether it requires minimum marks in each paper. Set a preparation target with a margin for paper difficulty and competition; the earlier threshold does not guarantee selection.
Exam pattern and selection
Detailed guide: CDS OTA Exam Pattern 2026–27: English, GK & SSB
Written examination pattern by academy
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| IMA, INA and AFA | English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics: 100 marks and 2 hours each; total 300 |
| OTA | English and General Knowledge: 100 marks and 2 hours each; total 200 |
| Question format | Objective; GK and Mathematics question booklets are bilingual in Hindi and English |
| Negative marking | One-third of the marks assigned to a question for a wrong answer; blank answers have no penalty |
| Calculators | Not permitted in the objective papers |
UPSC can prescribe qualifying marks in any or all subjects. Minimum qualifying marks and the eventual competitive cut-off are different concepts; do not treat an unofficial estimate as a confirmed selection threshold.
Selection after the written examination
Written qualification leads to the applicable Services Selection Board process. Stage I includes Officer Intelligence Rating and Picture Perception and Description testing. Only those who clear Stage I proceed to Stage II, which includes interview, group tasks, psychological tests and conference. Academy-specific medical fitness and document requirements remain necessary.
SSB maximum marks equal the written maximum: 300 for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA. Written and SSB performance, preferences, eligibility, medical fitness and available vacancies affect selection. Air Force applicants must also satisfy applicable flying-aptitude requirements. A written shortlist is not an admission guarantee.
Preparation resources
CDS previous-year papers · CDS syllabus checklist · 3- and 6-month study plans · CDS cut-off guide. Begin with the academy-specific paper combination, then practise official questions under each paper’s time limit.
2027 session planning
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| CDS I / NDA I notification | 2 December 2026 |
| CDS I / NDA I application deadline | 22 December 2026 |
| CDS I / NDA I examination | 11 April 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II notification | 12 May 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II application deadline | 1 June 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II examination | 19 September 2027 |
The calendar provides dates. The next notification must establish its vacancies, eligibility cut-offs and application rules.
Official sources
- CDS official notification
- UPSC official cut-off index
- Official CDS II previous-cycle cut-off PDF
- CDS II 2025 notification
Checked on 6 October 2026. Later official amendments take precedence. Preparation plans are GovtAdhikari editorial guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Are the previous marks the 2026 cut-off?
No. They are a benchmark from the cycle printed in the table and source PDF.
Is clearing a qualifying minimum enough?
No. Competitive cut-offs and final selection depend on the actual examination and the applicable rules.