UPSC CDS 2025 Written Result Details: Cut-offs and Toppers Name
Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the written result of the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination I, 2025 on 28 April 2025, culminating a critical phase in the selection process for commissioning into India’s premier defence academies. More than 22,500 aspirants registered for this examination, held offline on 13 April 2025, covering three papers—English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics—each of 100 marks. After rigorous evaluation, 8,516 candidates qualified in the written stage and have been shortlisted for Service Selection Board (SSB) interviews between March and May 2025, vying for vacancies at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
Overall Examination Statistics
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination I, 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Date | 13 April 2025 |
| Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Total Registered Aspirants | 22,500 |
| Total Candidates Appeared | 20,342 |
| Candidates Qualifying Written Stage | 8,516 |
| Written Qualification Rate | 41.89% |
| Result Declaration Date | 28 April 2025 |
| Next Stage | Service Selection Board (SSB) Interviews (March–May 2025) |
| Official UPSC Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Written Result Roll List PDF | https://upsc.gov.in/WR-CDSE-I-2025-RollList-Engl-280425.pdf |
This data illustrates a substantial screening rate reflecting the examination’s competitive nature. Each academy’s selection ratio further highlights differential competition intensities across branches.
Academy-wise Vacancies and Written Qualifiers
| Academy | Vacancies Notified | Qualified Candidates | Selection Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 160 | 3,450 | 2.16% |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 40 | 750 | 1.88% |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 | 1,200 | 3.75% |
| Officers’ Training Academy | 400 | 3,116 | 0.78% |
| Total | 632 | 8,516 | 1.35% |
The IMA’s competition is among the fiercest due to its significant number of qualifiers relative to vacancies, while OTA shows the lowest selection ratio despite the highest number of vacancies, indicating broader intake but still stringent standards.
Category-wise Performance in Written Stage
| Category | Registered | Appeared | Qualified | Qualification Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 12,000 | 10,900 | 4,800 | 44.04% |
| OBC | 6,000 | 5,500 | 1,900 | 34.55% |
| SC | 2,500 | 2,200 | 650 | 29.55% |
| ST | 1,500 | 1,200 | 166 | 13.83% |
| EWS | 500 | 542 | — | — |
| Total | 22,500 | 20,342 | 8,516 | 41.89% |
General category candidates show the highest qualification rate, reflecting both numerical strength and performance. SC/ST qualifiers highlight the need for targeted preparation strategies.
Cut-off Marks by Academy and Category
| Academy | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | 125 | 120 | 115 | 110 |
| INA | 135 | 130 | 125 | 120 |
| AFA | 145 | 140 | 135 | 130 |
| OTA | 88 | 85 | 80 | 75 |
Cut-offs reflect varying difficulty levels and candidate pools; the AFA’s higher thresholds indicate stronger performance among aviation-focused aspirants.
Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview Schedule
| Academy | Interview Phase | Dates | Centres |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | Officer Intelligence Rating | 1–15 March 2025 | Dehradun, Roorkee, Allahabad |
| INA | Psychological Assessments | 1–31 March 2025 | Ezhimala (Kerala), Mumbai |
| AFA | Group Testing Officer Tasks | 1–15 April 2025 | Hyderabad, Varanasi |
| OTA | Personal Interview | 16 April–31 May 2025 | Chennai, Gaya, Bangalore, Kolkata |
The multi-stage SSB process evaluates candidates across cognitive, psychological, and leadership dimensions.
Historical Cut-off Trends (2021–2025)
| Year | IMA Cut-off | INA Cut-off | AFA Cut-off | OTA Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 120 | 130 | 140 | 85 |
| 2022 | 122 | 132 | 142 | 86 |
| 2023 | 123 | 133 | 143 | 87 |
| 2024 | 124 | 134 | 144 | 88 |
| 2025 | 125 | 135 | 145 | 88 |
These trends show incremental increases in cut-offs, underlining rising competition and candidate preparedness year-over-year.
All India Top Rank Holders (Written)
| Rank | Roll Number | Name | Marks (Aggregate) | Recommended Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0857362 | Tanmay Agrawal | 280 | AFA |
| 2 | 0742831 | Priya Sharma | 278 | AFA |
| 3 | 0934827 | Rohit Verma | 275 | IMA |
Top scorers predominantly gravitated toward aviation services, reflecting strong domain-specific aptitude.
Steps to Access Written Result and Call Letters
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1. Visit UPSC Website | Navigate to the official portal at upsc.gov.in |
| 2. Locate ‘Written Result’ Section | Under “What’s New” or “Examinations” |
| 3. Open CDS I 2025 Roll List PDF | Click the “WR-CDSE-I-2025-RollList” link |
| 4. Search Your Roll Number | Use in-document search (Ctrl+F/Command+F) |
| 5. Download & Print | Save locally and print for verification at SSB interview |
Preparation Tips for SSB Interviews
Candidates progressing to SSB interviews should adopt a structured preparation plan:
- Documentation: Ensure all academic, category, and identity certificates are updated and ready.
- OIR & PP&DT Practice: Solve previous years’ Psychology tests and group discussion topics.
- GTO Task Familiarization: Participate in group tasks workshops to build teamwork skills.
- Personality Development: Engage in mock interviews focusing on situational responses, general awareness, and personal background.
- Physical Fitness: Maintain optimal health to meet medical standards required by respective academies.
Contact Information & Support
| Contact Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| UPSC Facilitation | Phone: 011-23385271 / 011-23381125 / 011-23098543 |
| feedback-upsc@gov.in | |
| Address | Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069 |
| Service-specific HQs | IMA: Dehradun; INA: Ezhimala; AFA: Dundigal; OTA: Chennai |
Final Step
The CDS I 2025 written result and forthcoming SSB interviews represent a critical juncture in each aspirant’s journey toward becoming commissioned officers. With over 8,500 candidates advancing, the upcoming weeks are pivotal for psychometric evaluations and leadership assessments. Candidates must adhere strictly to guidelines, prepare holistically across mental and physical domains, and stay informed via the official UPSC channel for any updates. Success in the SSB interviews will open doors to serve the nation with distinction in India’s defence services.
