The UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 is very important for all students who have appeared for the Combined Defence Services Exam this year. You should know that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will announce the official cut-off only after the final results. These marks will decide if you qualify or not for the top defence academies like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
By checking the UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025, you can understand how many marks you may need to score this year. It will also be helpful for you if you compare it with the previous year’s cut off to see the changes and to make your preparation strategy better.
What is the UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025?
The UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 means the minimum marks you may need to qualify for the next stage of selection. You have to keep in mind that the cut off changes every year because it depends on the difficulty level of the paper and the number of students appearing for the particular exam. If you have some idea about the UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025, you can set a safe target score for your preparation.
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year to select candidates for various defence academies. First, you appear for a written exam, and if you qualify, you attend the SSB interview and medical test to complete the selection process.
UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 (Academy-Wise Prediction)
The UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 gives you a clear idea of how many marks you may need to qualify for different defence academies. Based on recent trends and the previous CDS 1 exam, the cut-off for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA is expected to change slightly this time. Usually, the Air Force Academy (AFA) has the highest cut-off, while the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) remains a bit lower compared to other academies.
These predicted CDS 2 2025 cut-off marks are prepared after analyzing factors such as paper difficulty, previous year trends, and competition level. They will help you understand what score to aim for before UPSC declares the official results on its website.
| UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Academy | Written Exam | Final Exam |
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 119 – 131 | 244 – 256 |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 104 – 121 | 232 – 246 |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 146 – 151 | 267 – 271 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) Men | 73 – 84 | 161 – 170 |
| OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) Women | 75 – 85 | 164 – 170 |
How to Check UPSC CDS 2 Cut Off 2025 Online?
You can easily check the UPSC CDS 2 Cut Off 2025 online when UPSC releases it on their official website…
- First, visit the official site at “upsconline.nic.in“.
- Then, go to the “Examination” section and click on the “Cut Off Marks” option.
- After that, find the link for CDS 2 2025 Cut Off and open it.
- Finally, download the PDF and save it so you can check it anytime for your preparation.
Importance of Analyzing Previous Year CDS Cut-Offs
The previous year’s CDS 2 Cut Offs are very useful for understanding the exam level and difficulty. They also help you know the safe score for each academy. For example, IMA cut-offs usually stay higher than INA and OTA, while AFA often has the toughest cut-off among all. OTA cut-offs remain lower but are still quite competitive for both men and women. From 2020 to 2024, the marks have changed slightly every year due to vacancies and paper difficulty. These numbers help you estimate the UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 and prepare with a clear target in mind.
| Previous Year CDS Cut-Offs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Academy | Written Exam Cut Off (Total Marks) | Final Exam Cut Off (Total Marks) |
| 2024 | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA | Not Yet Declared (Official Cut Off is Awaited) | Not Yet Declared (Official Cut Off is Awaited) |
| 2022 | IMA | 128/300 | 251/600 |
| INA | 122/300 | 245/600 | |
| AFA | 144/300 | 267/600 | |
| OTA (Men & Women) | 91/200 | 174/400 | |
| 2021 | IMA | 145/300 | 279/600 |
| INA | 135/300 | 269/600 | |
| AFA | 152/300 | 285/600 | |
| OTA (Men & Women) | 107/200 | 185/400 | |
| 2020 | IMA | 139/300 | 263/600 |
| INA | 134/300 | 257/600 | |
| AFA | 152/300 | 279/600 | |
| OTA (Men & Women) | 97/200 | 179/400 | |
Factors Affecting UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025
The UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 changes due to many reasons. If more students appear, the competition becomes high and the cut off score increases. If there are fewer vacancies, the cut off also rises. When the paper is tough, the cut off usually goes down. Your SSB interview and medical test scores are very important because they determine the final merit list. The overall performance of students also decides the cut off. If most candidates score well, the cut off becomes higher.
UPSC CDS 2 Cut Off Stages of Publication
The UPSC CDS 2 Cut Off 2025 has two stages that every candidate should understand. First comes the Written Exam Cut Off, which shows the minimum marks you must score in the written test to qualify for the SSB interview. You need to secure at least 20% marks in each subject to pass this stage. The second stage is the Final Merit List Cut Off, which depends on your total marks in both the written exam and the SSB interview. Once you clear both stages, you attend the medical test, and only then does your name appear in the final merit list.
Number of Qualified Candidates in UPSC CDS Exam (2017–2024)
The number of candidates qualifying for the UPSC CDS written exam changes every year. In CDS 1 2024, a total of 8,373 students cleared the exam. The previous session, CDS 2 2023, saw 6,518 qualifiers, while CDS 1 2023 recorded 6,658 successful candidates. Moving further back, 6,622 candidates cleared CDS 2 2022, and 6,845 qualified in CDS 1 2022. During 2021, 6,552 candidates passed the CDS 2 exam, whereas CDS 1 2021 had 6,727 qualifiers. In 2020, the numbers stood at 7,081 for CDS 2 and 8,120 for CDS 1.
That means that the exam is always competitive and only a limited number of students can pass each year. The numbers change slightly but stay mostly in that particular range. By looking at these trends, you can understand the tough competition and how many students usually make it to the next stage. This also helps you set a clear target and plan your preparation carefully.
| Number of Qualified Candidates in UPSC CDS Exam (2017–2024) | |
|---|---|
| Year | Candidates Qualified in Written Exam |
| CDS 1 2024 | 8373 |
| CDS 2 2023 | 6518 |
| CDS 1 2023 | 6658 |
| CDS 2 2022 | 6622 |
| CDS 1 2022 | 6845 |
| CDS 2 2021 | 6552 |
| CDS 1 2021 | 6727 |
| CDS 2 2020 | 7081 |
| CDS 1 2020 | 8120 |
Number of Candidates Clearing the SSB Interview
The SSB interview is very tough and only a small number of candidates clear it. Usually, only 5–6 out of every 100 students pass this stage. For example, in CDS 1 2023, 341 students qualified. In CDS 2 2022, 204 cleared for IMA, INA, and AFA, while 302 cleared for OTA. The previous year’s data describes similar trends. From this data, you can get an overall idea that even after clearing the written exam, the competition stays very high. You need strong preparation and confidence to clear the SSB Interview round and move to the final stage.
| Number of Candidates Clearing the SSB Interview | |
|---|---|
| Year | Total Candidates Qualified |
| CDS 1 2023 | 341 |
| CDS 2 2022 | 204 (IMA + AFA + INA), 302 (OTA) |
| CDS 1 2022 | 164 (IMA + AFA + INA), 198 (OTA) |
| CDS 2 2020 | 129 (IMA + INA + AFA), 192 (OTA) |
| CDS 2 2019 | 196 (IMA + INA + AFA), 241 (OTA) |
My Suggestion for UPSC CDS Candidates
After clearing the written exam and SSB interview, your name appears in the final merit list. It depends on your total marks and medical fitness. Candidates with higher scores get priority for their preferred academies. Seats are limited, especially for women in OTA, so even a small mark difference can decide selection.
The UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 helps you understand the marks needed for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. The official numbers will be available once UPSC announces the results. Until then, you can check the previous year’s trends to set your target. Aim well above the expected cut-off and stay consistent in all papers. Careful preparation for both the written and SSB stages will greatly improve your chances of selection.
| Related Article Links |
|---|
| UPSC CDS 2 2025 Notification |
| UPSC CDS 2 Admit Card 2025 |
| UPSC Correction Window 2025 |
FAQs – UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025: Academy-Wise Prediction & Previous Year Analysis
Q1. What is the UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025?
The UPSC CDS 2 Expected Cut Off 2025 is the predicted marks you need to qualify for the next stage. It helps you set a target for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA before UPSC announces official results.
Q2. How can I check the UPSC CDS 2 Cut Off 2025?
You can check it on the official UPSC website at upsconline.nic.in. Go to the “Examination” section, click “Cut Off Marks,” find the CDS 2 2025 link, and download the PDF for reference.
Q3. What factors affect the UPSC CDS 2 Cut Off 2025?
The cut off depends on the number of candidates, available vacancies, paper difficulty, SSB performance, and overall performance of all candidates. Tougher exams or fewer seats usually raise the cut off.
Q4. How is the final merit list prepared after CDS 2 2025?
After you clear the written exam and SSB, your total marks and medical fitness decide the final merit list. Higher scores give you priority for your preferred academy. Even small mark differences can affect selection, especially for OTA.
