UPSC CDS I Result 2026 Live Urgent Merit List Check
UPSC CDS I Result 2026 has been officially released and the wait of lakhs of candidates is now over. A total of 451 vacancies will be filled through this recruitment in Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officer Training Academy. The exam was conducted on 12 April 2026 in offline mode. Candidates who qualify the written exam will be called for SSB Interview. Defence job is a secure, prestigious and high-salary career option where the starting stipend is approximately ₹56,100. If your name is in the merit list then your dream is about to come true.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 02 April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Result Date | 08 May 2026 |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Result Overview
UPSC CDS I 2026 will fill 100 posts for IMA Dehradun, 26 posts for INA, 32 posts for Air Force Academy, 275 posts for OTA, and 18 posts for OTA Women. There are a total of 451 vacancies. The application process was online, and the exam was conducted offline (pen-paper). The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services. The official website is upsc.gov.in. The application start date was December 10, 2025, and the last date was December 30, 2025. The exam was conducted on April 12, 2026, and the result was released on May 8, 2026.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Education Qualification:
- IMA & OTA: Bachelor’s degree in any stream
- INA & AFA: Engineering degree mandatory
Age Limit:
- IMA/INA/AFA: 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2008
- OTA: 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008
(Age relaxation as per UPSC rules)
Other Criteria:
- Indian citizen
- Unmarried male/female (as per post rules)
- Valid ID proof required
Apply Other Job: BPSC 72nd Pre 2026 Big Opportunity Apply Online
Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| IMA Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy | 26 |
| Air Force Academy | 32 |
| OTA (Men) | 275 |
| OTA (Women) | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Application Overview
| Application Level | National |
| Application Type | Government Job |
| Recruitment Body | UPSC |
| Posts Name | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Starting Salary | ₹56,100/- (Level 10) |
| Application Short Name | CDS |
| Application Full Form | Combined Defence Services |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in/ |
UPSC CDS I 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹200 |
| SC/ST | ₹0 |
| All Female | ₹0 |
Selection Process
- Written Exam
- SSB Interview
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
Syllabus & Exam Pattern
- General Knowledge
- English
- Elementary Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA)
- Maths was not available in OTA
- SSB me Psychological Test, GTO, Interview
How to Download UPSC CDS I Result 2026
- Visit official website – https://upsc.gov.in/
- Go to “Examination” section
- Click on CDS I Result 2026 link
- PDF will open
- Please search roll number
- Download & print it
Important Links
| Download Result | Click Here |
| Download Notification | UPSC Portal |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQ
Q1. When did the UPSC CDS I Result 2026 come out?
Answer: The result was released on May 8, 2026.
Q2. How do I check the result?
Answer: By downloading the PDF from the UPSC website.
Q3. How many total vacancies are there?
Answer: A total of 451 posts.
Q4. What is the selection process?
Answer: Written + SSB Interview + Medical.
Conclusion
UPSC CDS I Result 2026 is a major milestone for defense aspirants. If your roll number is on the list, the next step is to start SSB preparation. A defense career is not just a job, it’s an honor and an opportunity to serve the country. Always check the UPSC website for official updates.