CDS-2 2025 Final Merit List Released – Check Result, Vacancies, Selection Process & Key Details

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Final Result on its official website www.upsc.gov.in for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS-II) 2025. The written examination was conducted on 14 September 2025, and the last date to submit the application form was 20 June 2025.

After successfully clearing the written examination and completing the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process, shortlisted candidates have now been included in the final merit list. Candidates who appeared in the recruitment process can check their Final Result in PDF format on the official UPSC website. The result can be accessed using details such as Roll Number or Name, and the direct link to download the merit list is provided below.

CDS-II 2025 Final Result – Key Highlights

CDS-2 2025 Final Merit List – Candidates Recommended

Based on performance in the written examination and the SSB interviews conducted by the Ministry of Defence, 302 candidates have been recommended for admission to defence training academies.

These candidates will join the following courses:

• 161st (DE) Course at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
• Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala
• Air Force Academy, Hyderabad – Pre-Flying Training Course No. 220 F(P)

Academy-wise Candidate Distribution

UPSC has clarified that some candidates may appear in multiple lists depending on their academy preferences.

CDS-2 2025 Vacancy Details

The Government of India had notified 453 vacancies across four training academies under CDS-II 2025.

NCC Special Entry Reservations

Certain vacancies were reserved for candidates applying through NCC ‘C’ Certificate entries.

• 13 seats in IMA for Army Wing NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders
• 6 seats in INA for Naval Wing NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders
• 2 seats in INA Hydro Branch
• 3 seats in AFA for Air Wing NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders

Candidates Shortlisted in the Written Examination

After the written examination result was declared, candidates were shortlisted for the SSB interview stage.

These candidates were invited to appear for the Services Selection Board interview, which assesses their suitability for a career in the armed forces.

CDS-2 2025 Selection Process

The CDS recruitment process consists of two main stages.

Written Examination

The written exam conducted by UPSC evaluates candidates in the following subjects.

For IMA, INA and AFA:

• English
• General Knowledge
• Elementary Mathematics

For OTA candidates:

• English
• General Knowledge

Candidates who meet the required cutoff marks are shortlisted for the interview stage.

Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview

The SSB interview is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate a candidate’s personality, leadership potential, and officer-like qualities.

The process usually lasts five days and includes:

• Psychological Tests
• Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks
• Personal Interview
• Final Conference

Only candidates recommended by the SSB are considered for the final merit list.

Medical Examination and Document Verification

UPSC has stated that medical examination results were not considered while preparing the merit list. However, candidates must still meet the medical fitness standards prescribed by the armed forces before joining the academy.

In addition, verification of date of birth and educational qualifications is currently underway. Therefore, the candidature of selected candidates remains provisional until the verification process is completed.

Candidates must submit their original certificates and attested copies to the respective headquarters:

How to Check CDS-2 2025 Final Result

Candidates can follow these steps to download the result:

1. Visit the official UPSC website www.upsc.gov.in
2. Go to the Examinations section and open Final Results.
3. Click the link titled “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025 – Final Result.”
4. Open the result PDF file.
5. Use Ctrl + F to search your roll number or name.
6. Download and save the file for future reference.

When Will UPSC Release Candidate Marks?

UPSC has announced that the marks of candidates will be published later on the official website. These marks will become available after the final result of the Officers Training Academy (OTA) course for CDS-II 2025 is declared.

Once released, candidates will be able to view their written exam marks and SSB interview scores.

Final Words

The announcement of the CDS-II 2025 Final Merit List marks an important milestone for candidates who successfully cleared the selection process. The recommended candidates will soon begin officer training at India’s premier defence academies, moving one step closer to serving the nation in uniform.

For future aspirants preparing for CDS, NDA, AFCAT, or SSB interviews, consistent preparation, discipline, and the right mentorship can significantly improve the chances of success. Structured training programs and expert guidance can help candidates build the confidence and skills required to succeed in these competitive defence examinations.

Download the official result PDF