Summary
Waiting for the CDS 2 cutoff 2026? You’re not alone. UPSC hasn’t announced anything yet, so here’s the CDS 2 expected cutoff 2026 based on what actually happened in the past few years.
1. CDS 2 Expected Cutoff 2026, Academy by Academy
Here is the CDS 2 expected cutoff 2026 for the written stage.
| Academy | CDS 2 Expected Cutoff 2026 | Out Of |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 110 to 125 | 300 |
| INA | 90 to 105 | 300 |
| AFA | 120 to 135 | 300 |
| OTA (Men) | 80 to 95 | 200 |
| OTA (Women) | 85 to 100 | 200 |
These are only tentative cutoffs. Only UPSC decides the CDS 2 cutoff 2026, and it does so after the result.
2. Where Our CDS 2 Cutoff Estimate Comes From?
Our estimate comes from what UPSC actually published in recent cycles.
| Exam | IMA | INA | AFA |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS 1 2024 | 120 | 100 | 128 |
| CDS 2 2024 | 117 | 90 | 126 |
| CDS 1 2025 | 120 | 104 | Highest of the three |
Two things stand out. AFA usually has the highest cut off and INA the lowest. And the written cut off sits near 40 per cent of the total, lower than most candidates expect. Our CDS 2 2026 expected cutoff follows the similar pattern.
3. What Actually Moves the CDS 2 Cutoff 2026?
- How hard the paper was. Maths this year was moderate but calculation-heavy. Tough papers pull the CDS 2 cutoff 2026 down
- Seats on offer. 451 this cycle: 100 IMA, 26 INA, 32 AFA, 275 OTA Men, 18 OTA Women
- How many candidates showed up. More candidates, same seats, higher cut off
- Which academy you chose. One score can clear IMA and miss AFA in the same year
4. Written Cut Off Is Not the Final Cut Off
This one confuses candidates every year. The written cut off only gets you an SSB call. Nothing more.
| Exam | Written (of 300) | Final (of 600) |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 2 2024, IMA | 117 | 241 |
| CDS 2 2024, INA | 90 | 220 |
| CDS 1 2025, IMA | 120 | 243 |
Look at that gap. Clear the written stage at 117, and you still need 241 out of 600 to be recommended. The SSB is doing most of the work there. So start preparing for it now, not in December.
5. Don’t Forget the 20 Per Cent Rule
UPSC considers at least a 20 per cent score in every paper. Score brilliantly in Maths and badly in English, and you are out. Your total cannot rescue you. Simple as that. A high total will not save a weak paper.
6. Where Do You Actually Stand?
Work out your marks, then check them against the CDS 2 cutoff table above. One thing most candidates get wrong here: English and GK have 120 questions but only 100 marks, so each question is worth 0.83, not 1. Miss that and your score looks better than it is.
Our free CDS 2 Marks Calculator 2026 helps to check your CDS 2 2026 score. If you want a clear picture of safe marks? Read our guide on how many marks are safe.
Whatever your score says, sitting and refreshing the UPSC website won’t change it. If your score falls short, CDS 1 2027 is roughly seven months away. That is plenty, if you start now.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CDS 2 expected cutoff 2026?
- Roughly 110 to 125 out of 300 for IMA. INA usually lands lower at 90 to 105, AFA higher at 120 to 135, and OTA around 80 to 95 out of 200.
Has UPSC declared the CDS 2 cutoff 2026?
- Not yet, UPSC publishes cut off marks only after the entire selection process is over.
- The written result is declared first, usually within a month of the exam.
Why give a range instead of one CDS 2 cutoff 2026 figure?
- Because the cut off moves every year with the difficulty level of the exam, the num.er of candidates and the seats available.
- A range is honest. A single number would not be the appropriate answer.
Is the CDS 2 cutoff the same for every academy?
- No. AFA usually tops the list, then IMA, then INA, with OTA lowest.
- You are judged against the cut off for the academies you applied for, not an overall figure.
Does the CDS 2 2026 expected cutoff change by category?
- UPSC publishes CDS cut offs academy-wise, not category-wise.
- The same number applies to everyone competing for that academy.
I am just below the CDS 2 expected cutoff 2026. Is it over?
- Not at all. Our CDS 2 2026 expected cutoff is an estimate, and real cut offs drop in years when papers run tough.
- Plenty of candidates have cleared from exactly where you are sitting. Start SSB prep while you wait.
