UPSC Declares CDS (I) 2026 Final Result; 243 Qualify

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the final result of the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. The merit lists carry 243 candidates in all, a total made up of three separate groups of 155, 63 and 25 names.

How the result was reached

The written test was conducted by the Commission in April 2026. Those who cleared it faced interviews before the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence, and the lists published now reflect how candidates fared at that stage. At the written stage the Commission had passed 2601 candidates for the Indian Military Academy, 770 for the Indian Naval Academy and 640 for the Air Force Academy. The much smaller final numbers are what remained after the SSB testing carried out by the respective Service Headquarters.

Where the successful candidates go

Those on the lists have earned admission to the 162nd (DE) Course at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; to the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kerala; and to the Pre-Flying Training Course No. 221 F(P) at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad. A few names turn up in all three lists, since one candidate may be recommended for more than one course.

Vacancies notified by the Government

• Indian Military Academy: 100 vacancies, of which 13 are reserved for holders of the NCC 'C' certificate (Army Wing).
• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Executive Branch (General Service) and Hydro: 26 vacancies, including 6 for NCC 'C' certificate (Naval Wing) holders and 1 for Hydro.
• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad: 32 vacancies, of which 3 are reserved for NCC 'C' certificate (Air Force Wing) holders under the NCC special entry.

What candidates must still do

Medical examination results were not taken into account while these lists were drawn up. Verification of date of birth and of educational qualification is still under way at the Service Headquarters, so every candidature stays provisional for the time being. Candidates have been asked to forward original certificates, with attested copies, to Army, Naval or Air Headquarters according to their first preference, and to report any change of address directly to the Headquarters concerned. The lists are also hosted on the Commission's own website. Individual marks, however, will be put up only once the final result for the Officers Training Academy course of the same examination has been announced. A facilitation counter works at the Commission's premises on every working day, and a candidate helpdesk answers queries by telephone.