The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is one of the most competitive exams for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The official cut-off marks for CDS (II), 2020 have been released, providing clarity on the minimum qualifying marks for candidates who appeared for the exam. This release is especially significant for those who want to assess their performance and plan for future attempts. If you’re among the candidates waiting for the cut-off information, the official PDF is now available for download.
I’m writing about this topic because the CDS exam holds immense value for aspirants aiming to serve the nation through prestigious defence services. Whether you’ve appeared for the exam or are preparing for future attempts, knowing the official cut-off marks helps you set a benchmark for success. Understanding the cut-off also guides your preparation strategy by showing where you stand and how much more effort is required to meet the desired standards. In this post, you can find the detailed breakdown of the cut-off marks and learn how to download the official PDF.
About the CDS Examination
The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is designed to select candidates for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). The exam is divided into three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, and AFA) or General Studies and English (for OTA).
The CDS (II), 2020 exam was held in November 2020, and thousands of aspirants competed for the coveted defence services. After the written exam, candidates who clear the cut-off are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which assesses their aptitude for leadership, communication, and decision-making. The final selection is based on the combined performance in the written test and the SSB interview.
How to Download the CDS (II), 2020 Cut-off Marks PDF
You can easily download the official CDS (II), 2020 cut-off marks from the UPSC website by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website: https://www.upsc.gov.in
- On the homepage, click on the ‘Examinations’ tab.
- From the drop-down menu, select ‘Cut-off Marks’.
- Look for the link titled ‘Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2020’.
- Click on the ‘Download PDF’ link to access and save the document.
The PDF includes detailed category-wise cut-off marks, so you can see the minimum scores required for different academies and services. It also provides useful insights for the next CDS exam cycle.

















