The Intelligence Bureau (IB) Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Cut-Off 2026 is eagerly awaited by candidates who appeared in the written exam and are aiming to progress to subsequent stages of the recruitment process. While official cut-off marks are yet to be published, experts and exam analysts have projected expected category-wise marks based on previous recruitment patterns and the observed difficulty of the 2026 examination. Expected cut-off marks give aspirants a sense of the minimum scores needed to clear the qualifying criteria in the Tier I objective written test. These estimates are derived from factors such as the number of vacancies, the difficulty level of the question paper, candidate performance and trends seen in earlier cycles
Expected IB MTS Cut-Off 2026 – Category-Wise Estimates
Based on historical data and exam patterns, the projected cut-off marks (out of a total of 100) for different categories in the IB MTS Tier I exam 2026 may include:
- Unreserved (General): 38–42 marks
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 36–40 marks
- SC: 33–36 marks
- ST: 33–36 marks
- EWS: 38–41 marks
- PwBD (UR): 30–33 marks
- PwBD (OBC): 28–31 marks
- PwBD (SC/ST): 25–28 marks
These expected ranges provide a rough benchmark that candidates can target for qualifying the Tier I test, though the official cut-off may vary after results are declared
Previous Year Cut-Off Trends and Insights
Analysing cut-off trends from previous years helps in setting realistic expectations for 2026. In earlier IB MTS cycles, unreserved category qualifying marks were often around the mid-30s, with reserved categories showing proportionately lower thresholds. Minimum qualifying marks around 33–35 were common in past years, reflecting baseline performance standards. Cut-off marks can fluctuate based on several determinants such as the total number of candidates appearing, difficulty level of the paper, number of vacancies announced and normalisation processes applied if there are multiple shifts. Competitive performance among candidates often pushes cut-off marks higher in years with more test takers scoring well.
Key Factors Influencing IB MTS Cut-Off 2026
Several key factors are likely to influence the final cut-off once officially released:
- Exam difficulty: Easier papers may lead to higher cut-off marks as more candidates score well, while tougher exams typically lower qualifying thresholds.
- Number of aspirants: A higher turnout usually increases competition, which can raise cut-off marks, particularly for General and OBC categories
- Vacancy count: More available posts tend to reduce cut-off pressure, while fewer vacancies tighten qualification criteria.
- Performance trends: Candidates’ overall performance distribution across the paper influences score thresholds on ranking lists.
How Aspirants Should Use Cut-Off Estimates?
While exact IB MTS cut-off marks for 2026 will be revealed only after official declaration by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), these projected figures help aspirants approximate their standing. Candidates can compare their estimated scores with these expected ranges to assess qualification prospects.Aiming for marks above the upper range of the expected cut-off can improve chances of qualifying comfortably. In addition, focusing on weak areas during preparation, revising key concepts and taking mock tests can strengthen readiness for subsequent phases of the recruitment process.