Shield_Defence_Academy_CDS_2_2026_Paper_Analysis_Presentation
                     CDS 2 2026
PAPER ANALYSIS
& EXPECTED CUT-OFF
Is Your Score Safe for SSB?
A practical post-exam guide for IMA, INA, AFA & 
OTA aspirants
Paper Level: English • GK • 
MODERATE Mathematics
Shield Defence Academy | Lucknow
www.shielddefenceacademy.com
CDS 2 2026 — Executive Summary
Overall Difficulty Key Takeaway Important Note
Largely moderate. English offered a Candidates near or above the Expected cut-offs are estimates, not 
scoring opportunity; GK required wider expected cut-off can begin SSB official UPSC figures. Final cut-offs can 
preparation; Maths tested accuracy. preparation instead of waiting for the change with candidate performance.
official result.
What candidates are asking after 
the exam
Was the paper easy, moderate or difficult?
How many questions were a good attempt?
What could the cut-off range look like?
Should I start preparing for SSB now?
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CDS 2 2026 Paper Pattern
IMA • INA • AFA OTA
English + GK + Elementary Mathematics English + GK
Paper Total Questions Overall Level Good Attempt
English 120 Easy–Moderate 90–100
General Knowledge 120 Moderate 80–90
Elementary Mathematics 100 Moderate 70–80
Analysis note: Attempt ranges are indicative only. Actual cut-offs may vary with overall candidate 
performance.
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CDS 2 2026 English Paper Analysis
Questions Level Scoring Edge
120 questions Easy–Moderate mix Vocabulary + grammar practice
Major areas reported in the paper
Fill in the Blanks Candidate takeaway
Spotting Errors
Strong vocabulary, regular grammar 
Synonyms and Antonyms
practice and familiarity with 
Idioms and Phrases sentence-based questions could 
Sentence Rearrangement support higher attempts.
Word Matching
Cloze Test Keep checking official updates and stay 
ready for the next stage.
Homonyms and Confusing Words
Usage of Paired Words
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CDS 2 2026 GK Paper Analysis
Subject Questions Difficulty
High-coverage areas
History 10 Easy
Current Affairs, Physics, Biology and Static 
GK required broad preparation.
World / Physical Geography 7 Moderate
Indian Geography 8 Easy–Moderate
Preparation lesson
Polity & Governance 15 Moderate
Consistent current-affairs revision can 
Economics 10 Moderate help candidates handle a wide GK 
syllabus.
Physics 10 Moderate–Hard
Chemistry 10 Easy–Moderate Next step
If the written score is near the expected 
Biology 15 Moderate–Hard range, shift attention to SSB readiness.
Current Affairs 20 Moderate
Static GK 15 Moderate–Hard
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CDS 2 2026 Mathematics Analysis
Elementary Mathematics was compulsory for IMA, INA and AFA candidates.
Arithmetic Algebra Geometry
18 questions 14 questions 18 questions
Trigonometry Mensuration Statistics
13 questions 15 questions 8 questions
What the paper tested
Number System
Conceptual understanding
14 questions Calculation speed
Accuracy under time pressure
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Expected CDS 2 2026 Cut-Off Marks
Estimated ranges for self-assessment — not official UPSC cut-offs
Academy Expected Cut-Off
How to use these 
IMA 125–130 ranges
Estimate your written score
Compare it with your academy-
INA 108–115 specific range
Treat the range as an indication, 
AFA 133–140 not a result
Keep preparing for the next stage
OTA Men 82–88
OTA Women 98–105
Official UPSC cut-offs should be used once released.
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How to Calculate Your Expected CDS Score
Check answers Compare your responses with a reliable answer key.
01
Count correct Record the number of correct responses.
02
Apply negative Account for the applicable penalty for wrong answers.
03
marking
Compare Check your estimated score against previous and expected ranges.
04
Prepare If competitive, begin SSB preparation without waiting.
05
Expected Score = Marks for Correct Answers − Applicable Negative-Marking Penalty
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Is Your Score Safe for SSB?
If your estimate is around or above the expected range, use the waiting period productively.
Start preparing for the next 
stage
OIR PP&DT
Verbal & non-verbal reasoning practice Story writing, narration and group discussion
Psychology GTO
TAT, WAT, SRT and SD practice Group tasks, planning and outdoor activities
Interview Conference
Personal, academic and current-affairs preparation Confidence, consistency and clear communication
SSB is not only about written knowledge — communication, decision-making, leadership and overall officer-
like qualities are important parts of preparation.
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Prepare for SSB with
Shield Defence 
AStrucctaurded edemfencye preparation for the next stage
OIR & PP&DT practice
Psychology test guidance
GTO task preparation
Personal Interview practice
Communication & personality development
Planned SSB-focused preparation
www.shielddefenceacademy.com
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Your written exam is one milestone.
Your next goal is to be ready for SSB.
Stay calm • Keep preparing • Trust the process
SHIELD DEFENCE ACADEMY | LUCKNOW
NDA • CDS • AFCAT • SSB
www.shielddefenceacademy.com
Thank you
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