The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially declared the UPSC CDS-II Final Result 2026. This result marks the conclusion of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2025 recruitment cycle. Candidates who appeared for the written exam on September 14, 2025, followed by the SSB Interview, can now check their final selection status in the merit list.
UPSC CDS-II 2025-2026: Important Dates (महत्वपूर्ण तिथियां)
| Event Description | Date / Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 28 May 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 28 May 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 20 June 2025 |
| Written Exam Date | 14 September 2025 |
| Written Result Declared | 09 October 2025 |
| Final Result Released | 30 March 2026 |
Application Fee & Age Limit (आवेदन शुल्क और आयु सीमा)
| Category | Fee Details | Age Limit (As on 01/07/2025) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹ 200/- | Minimum: 20 Years Maximum: 24 Years |
| SC / ST / Female | ₹ 0/- |
Vacancy Distribution 2026 (रिक्ति विवरण)
| Academy Name | Total Vacancies | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 | Bachelor Degree in Any Stream |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 | Bachelor Degree in Engineering |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 | Bachelor Degree with Physics & Math at 10+2 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | 295 | Bachelor Degree in Any Stream |
| Total | 453 | – |
Selection Process & Exam Pattern (चयन प्रक्रिया और परीक्षा पैटर्न)
The selection for UPSC CDS involves a rigorous multi-stage process designed to test both academic knowledge and officer-like qualities.
Selection Stages:
- Written Examination: Objective type test conducted offline.
- SSB Interview: 5-day intelligence and personality test (300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA).
- Medical Examination: Thorough health check-up by military medical boards.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on Written + SSB scores.
Written Exam Pattern:
| Academy | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA, INA, AFA | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 Hours | |
| OTA | English | 100 | 2 Hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 Hours |
Note: There is a negative marking of 1/3rd for every wrong answer.
Salary Details (वेतन विवरण)
Selected candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants (or equivalent ranks in Navy/Air Force) in Pay Level 10 as per the 7th Pay Commission.
- Training Stipend: ₹56,100 per month.
- Basic Pay (After Commission): ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500.
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 per month (Fixed).
- Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), HRA, Transport Allowance, and Field Area Allowances based on posting.
- Gross Salary: Approx. ₹95,000 to ₹1,05,000 per month.
How to Check UPSC CDS-II Final Result 2026
- Visit the official portal of UPSC (upsc.gov.in).
- On the homepage, look for the “What’s New” or “Final Results” section.
- Click on the link titled “Final Result: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025”.
- A PDF file will open containing the names and roll numbers of recommended candidates.
- Press Ctrl + F and enter your Roll Number to find your name in the list.
- Download and save the PDF for future reference during document verification.
Important Links (महत्वपूर्ण लिंक)
| Description | Action Link |
|---|---|
| Download Final Result (PDF) | Check Final Merit List / Result |
| Download Name Wise Result | Download Name Wise Final Result PDF |
| Download Written Result (Roll List) | Check Written Exam Result |
| Download Admit Card | Download Hall Ticket / Admit Card |
| Online Correction Link | Modify / Correction Link |
| Apply Online (Registration) | Online Registration / Login |
| OTR Registration | One Time Registration (OTR) |
| Download Official Notification | Download Detailed Notification PDF |
| Official Website | Visit Official Department Portal |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was the UPSC CDS II Final Result 2026 released?
The final result was officially declared on March 30, 2026, on the UPSC website.
2. What is the starting salary for a CDS officer?
A Lieutenant starts at Pay Level 10 with a basic pay of ₹56,100 plus MSP of ₹15,500, totaling approx ₹1 Lakh gross per month.
3. Is there any negative marking in the CDS exam?
Yes, there is a penalty of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for every incorrect objective answer.
4. Can final year students apply for UPSC CDS?
Yes, candidates in their final year/semester of graduation can apply, provided they produce proof of passing by the time of course commencement.
5. What is the SSB Interview marks for OTA?
For OTA, the SSB interview is conducted for 200 marks, whereas for IMA/INA/AFA, it is for 300 marks.
6. How many vacancies were there in CDS II 2025?
There were a total of 453 vacancies, with the highest being 295 for the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
7. Do I need a login ID to check the final result?
No, the final result is published as an open PDF file. You only need your roll number or name to search the list.
8. What are the passing marks for each subject in CDS?
UPSC generally requires a minimum of 20% marks in each individual paper to be considered for the merit list.
9. Is the CDS exam conducted twice a year?
Yes, UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Services exam twice annually, usually in April (CDS I) and September (CDS II).
10. Where is the OTA training academy located?
The Officers Training Academy (OTA) for both men and women is located in Chennai.