CDS-1 2026 Final Merit List Released: Download PDF

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 Final Result on 2 November 2026. Candidates who appeared in the written examination and subsequently attended the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview can now check the final merit list on the official UPSC website.

The CDS 1 2026 written examination was conducted on 12 April 2026. Based on candidates' performance in the written examination and SSB interviews conducted by the Ministry of Defence, UPSC has recommended 243 candidates across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) merit lists.

The academy-wise recommendations include 155 candidates for IMA, 63 for INA and 25 for AFA. Candidates can download the result PDF and search for their roll numbers to check their selection status.

CDS 1 2026 Final Result – Overview

The following table provides important information about the CDS 1 2026 examination and final result.

CDS 1 2026 Final Merit List – Academy-Wise Selection

According to the UPSC press release dated 2 November 2026, a total of 243 recommendations have been announced for admission to three defence academies.

The academy-wise distribution is given below: Some candidates are common in more than one academy merit list due to their eligibility and preferences. Therefore, candidates should check the relevant academy-wise lists carefully.

Courses Offered Under CDS 1 2026

The recommended candidates will be considered for admission to the following training courses:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun: 162nd Direct Entry (DE) Course, commencing in January 2027.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala: Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro Course, commencing in January 2027.
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad: No. 221 F(P) Pre-Flying Training Course, commencing in January 2027.

CDS 1 2026 Vacancy Details

UPSC notified a total of 451 vacancies under CDS 1 2026 across five course entries at four training academy categories. These include separate vacancies for male and female candidates at the Officers Training Academy (OTA).

The vacancy distribution is as follows:

NCC Special Entry Vacancies

The notified vacancies for IMA, INA and AFA include reservations for eligible NCC 'C' Certificate holders.

• IMA: 13 vacancies for Army Wing NCC 'C' Certificate holders.
• INA: 6 vacancies for Naval Wing NCC 'C' Certificate holders, including 1 vacancy for Hydro.
• AFA: 3 vacancies for Air Wing NCC 'C' Certificate holders through NCC Special Entry.

These vacancies are included in the respective academy totals and should not be added separately.

CDS 1 2026 Written Examination Result – Qualified Candidates

UPSC declared the CDS 1 2026 written examination result on 8 May 2026. Candidates who secured the required qualifying marks were shortlisted for the SSB interview stage.

According to the official UPSC press release, the academy-wise written examination figures were:

These figures represent the candidates qualified for the IMA, INA, and AFA written examination stages. The final merit list was prepared after the SSB interview process.

CDS 1 2026 Selection Process

The CDS selection process consists of a written examination followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. Candidates must qualify at the prescribed stages and meet the eligibility and medical standards applicable to their chosen academy.

1. Written Examination

The written examination is conducted by UPSC. The subjects vary according to the academy for which the candidate has applied.

For IMA, INA and AFA:

• English
• General Knowledge
• Elementary Mathematics

For OTA:

• English
• General Knowledge

The written examination evaluates candidates' language skills, general awareness, reasoning and mathematical knowledge.

2. Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview

Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the SSB interview conducted by the respective Service Selection Boards.

The SSB process assesses a candidate's personality, leadership potential, decision-making ability, communication skills and Officer-Like Qualities.

The assessment generally includes:

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests
• Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)
• Psychological Tests
• Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
• Personal Interview
• Final Conference

The SSB assessment is generally conducted over five days. Candidates recommended by the SSB must subsequently satisfy the prescribed medical and other eligibility requirements.

Medical Examination and Document Verification

UPSC has clarified that medical examination results have not been considered while preparing the CDS 1 2026 final merit lists for IMA, INA and AFA.

The recommendation of a candidate is therefore subject to fulfilling the prescribed medical fitness standards and verification of eligibility documents.

The verification of date of birth and educational qualifications is still in process. The candidature of recommended candidates remains provisional until the required verification is completed.

Candidates must submit their original certificates, along with attested photocopies, to the relevant service headquarters according to their first academy preference.

When Will UPSC Release CDS 1 2026 Marks?

UPSC has stated that the marks of candidates will be published on its official website after the declaration of the final result for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) course under CDS 1 2026.

Candidates can visit the official UPSC website regularly for updates regarding the OTA result and marks publication.

The marks will help candidates review their performance in the written examination and SSB interview.

CDS 1 2026 Final Result – Important Instructions for Recommended Candidates

Candidates whose names or roll numbers appear in the final merit lists should keep the following points in mind:

• The medical examination results have not been considered while preparing the merit lists.
• Final candidature remains provisional pending verification of date of birth and educational qualifications.
• Original certificates and attested photocopies must be submitted to the appropriate service headquarters.
• Candidates should follow the instructions issued by their respective headquarters.
• Any change in address should be communicated promptly to the concerned headquarters.
• Marks will be released after the declaration of the OTA final result.

For clarification regarding the examination, candidates can contact the UPSC Facilitation Counter on working days between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM.

The UPSC Candidate Helpdesk can also be contacted at:

• 011-24041001
• 011-40303444

The helpdesk is available between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM on all days.

Conclusion

The declaration of the CDS 1 2026 Final Result on 2 November 2026 completes an important stage of the selection process for admission to IMA, INA and AFA.

A total of 243 recommendations have been announced across the three academy merit lists, comprising 155 for IMA, 63 for INA and 25 for AFA. Candidates should carefully check the result PDF and follow the instructions regarding document verification and further admission formalities.

The OTA final result is separate and will be announced independently. Candidates awaiting the OTA result should continue checking the UPSC website for official updates.

For future CDS aspirants, understanding the examination pattern, practising previous years' question papers and preparing for the SSB interview are important parts of the selection journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When was the CDS 1 2026 Final Result declared?

UPSC declared the CDS 1 2026 Final Result on 2 November 2026.

2. How many candidates have been recommended in CDS 1 2026?

A total of 243 recommendations have been announced across the IMA, INA and AFA merit lists. The academy-wise figures are 155 for IMA, 63 for INA and 25 for AFA.

3. What was the CDS 1 2026 written examination date?

The CDS 1 2026 written examination was conducted on 12 April 2026.

4. How many vacancies were announced under CDS 1 2026?

UPSC notified a total of 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA and OTA, including separate vacancies for men and women at OTA.

5. How many candidates qualified in the CDS 1 2026 written examination for IMA, INA and AFA?

The written examination figures announced by UPSC were 2,601 for IMA, 770 for INA and 640 for AFA, totalling 4,011.

6. Does the CDS 1 2026 Final Result include OTA candidates?

The final result announced on 2 November 2026 covers IMA, INA and AFA. The OTA final result will be declared separately.

7. Are medical examination results included in the CDS 1 2026 merit list?

No. UPSC has clarified that medical examination results have not been considered while preparing the IMA, INA and AFA merit lists. Candidates must fulfil the prescribed medical fitness standards before admission.

8. When will UPSC release CDS 1 2026 marks?

UPSC will publish the marks after the declaration of the final result for the OTA course under CDS 1 2026.

9. Where can candidates download the CDS 1 2026 Final Merit List?

Candidates can download the result PDF from the official UPSC website at www.upsc.gov.in.

10. Which courses are covered under the CDS 1 2026 final result?

The result covers the 162nd Direct Entry Course at IMA, the Executive Branch (General Service)/Hydro Course at INA, and the No. 221 F(P) Pre-Flying Training Course at AFA.

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