The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the cut-off marks for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2025. The results offer key insights into the selection thresholds for various defence academies including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA) for both men and women.
Here is the detailed list:
| Sr. No | Name of the Academy | Minimum Qualifying Marks in Each Subject | Marks Obtained by Last Qualified Candidate (Written Exam) | Aggregate Marks of Last Recommended Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IMA | 20% | 120 | 243 out of 600 |
| 2 | INA | 20% | 104 | 230 out of 600 |
| 3 | AFA | 20% | 128 | 253 out of 600 |
| 4 | OTA (Men) | 20% | 81 | 163 out of 400 |
| 5 | OTA (Women) | 20% | 81 | 171 out of 400 |
According to the released data, the minimum qualifying mark in each subject remains consistent at 20% across all academies. For the IMA, the minimum written exam cut-off was 120 out of 300, while the final aggregate marks of the last recommended candidate stood at 243 out of 600.
In the case of INA, candidates needed at least 104 out of 300 to qualify in the written exam. The final recommendation cut-off was 230 out of 600.
The Air Force Academy (AFA) had the highest written exam cut-off, with 128 out of 300 marks required. The final recommendation cut-off was also the highest among all academies at 253 out of 600.
For OTA (Men), the minimum required marks in the written test were 81 out of 200, and the final recommendation cut-off was 163 out of 400. Similarly, OTA (Women) candidates had to score at least 81 out of 200 in the written exam, with the final recommended score cut-off set at 171 out of 400.
These cut-offs provide clarity to aspirants and highlight the competitive nature of the examination. The CDS exam is a gateway for young candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces through various prestigious academies.
