The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially declared the Combined Defence Services Examination (I) 2026 Written Result on 8 May 2026 at its official website upsc.gov.in. A total of 8,826 candidates have qualified the written exam held on 12 April 2026 and are now eligible for the SSB Interview stage. Qualified candidates can download the official UPSC CDS 1 Result 2026 PDF directly from UPSC's "Written Results" page or via the dashboard below.
⚡ UPSC CDS 1 Result 2026 — Quick Access
Download the written result PDF, register for SSB on Join Indian Army portal, and visit UPSC's official website.
UPSC CDS 1 Result 2026 — Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Result Status | Declared — 08 May 2026 |
| Total Qualified Candidates | 8,826 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Next Stage | Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview — 5 days |
| Result Mode | Online PDF (Roll Number-wise) |
| Score Card Release | After full selection (Final Result + SSB) |
| Result Website | upsc.gov.in |
| SSB Registration | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
CDS (I) 2026 Vacancy Break-up — Academy-wise
| Academy | Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 158th Course (Jan 2027) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | Executive (GS) Jan 2027 | 32 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 220 F(P) Course (Jan 2027) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men) | 120 SSC Course (Apr 2027) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Women) | 34 SSC Women NT Course (Apr 2027) | 12 |
| TOTAL | 451 | |
How to Download UPSC CDS 1 Result 2026 PDF
- Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in.
- On the homepage, locate the "What's New" section on the right side.
- Click the link "Written Result: Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026".
- The result PDF will open in your browser.
- Press Ctrl + F (Windows) or Cmd + F (Mac) and search your Roll Number.
- If your roll number appears under IMA / INA / AFA / OTA section, you are qualified for SSB.
- Download and save the PDF for SSB registration reference.
Next Steps for Qualified Candidates
- SSB Registration: Within 2 weeks of result, register on joinindianarmy.nic.in (for IMA/OTA) or respective service portals (Navy: joinindiannavy.gov.in / Air Force: afcat.cdac.in).
- Original Documents: Keep ready — Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, Graduation degree, Date of Birth proof, Caste/EWS certificate, NCC certificate (if applicable), photo ID.
- SSB Interview: 5-day process — Stage 1 (Screening, OIR + PPDT), Stage 2 (Psychology Test, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview, Conference).
- Medical Examination: Conducted at Military Hospitals after SSB recommendation.
- Final Merit: Based on Written + SSB scores combined.
- Training Commencement: January 2027 (IMA, INA, AFA) / April 2027 (OTA).
SSB Interview Process — 5-Day Schedule
| Day | Tests Conducted |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Screening Test (OIR + PPDT) — only screened-in candidates continue |
| Day 2 | Psychology Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT) |
| Day 3 & 4 | GTO Tasks (Group Discussion, GPE, PGT, HGT, Lecturette, IO, Command Task, FGT) + Personal Interview |
| Day 5 | Conference — final recommendation |
CDS 1 2026 Expected Qualifying Marks (Academy-wise)
| Academy | Estimated Cut-off (Total) | Min. % per Subject |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Army) | 125 – 135 | 20% |
| INA (Navy) | 118 – 128 | 20% |
| AFA (Air Force) | 145 – 155 | 20% |
| OTA (SSC) | 100 – 110 | 20% |
Note: Final cut-off marks will be released by UPSC after the entire selection process is concluded.
Important Notes for Qualified Candidates
- The CDS 1 written result is only the first stage — final selection requires clearing SSB and Medical.
- Score cards (subject-wise marks) will be released on UPSC's Marks Information page after the full selection cycle.
- Registration for SSB is mandatory within the timeline given on the result PDF — failure to register = disqualification.
- Candidates must carry original certificates + 2 sets of attested photocopies to SSB.
- For physical preparation, start running 1.6 km in < 7 minutes (males) and similar fitness benchmarks.
- UPSC Facilitation Counter available at UPSC Campus, New Delhi (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, working days). Helpline: 011-23385271 / 011-23381125.
Official Sources & Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 Written Result 2026 PDF (Direct) | Download PDF |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| SSB Registration (Army) | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| SSB Registration (Navy) | joinindiannavy.gov.in |
| SSB Registration (Air Force) | afcat.cdac.in |
| UPSC Marks Information | Marks Page |
| Telegram Channel | Join Now |
| WhatsApp Channel | Join Now |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When was the UPSC CDS 1 Result 2026 declared?
The UPSC declared the CDS 1 Written Result 2026 on 8 May 2026 on its official website upsc.gov.in.
Q2. How many candidates qualified the CDS 1 2026 written exam?
A total of 8,826 candidates have qualified for the SSB Interview stage.
Q3. How many vacancies are there in CDS (I) 2026?
UPSC has notified 451 vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA (Men + Women).
Q4. When was the CDS 1 2026 written exam held?
The exam was conducted on 12 April 2026.
Q5. Where can I download the CDS 1 Result 2026 PDF?
Visit upsc.gov.in/exams-related-info/written-result and click the CDS (I) 2026 link.
Q6. What is the next stage after the written result?
Qualified candidates will appear for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview — a 5-day process covering screening, psychology tests, GTO tasks, and personal interview.
Q7. How do I register for the SSB Interview?
Register online at joinindianarmy.nic.in (for Army/OTA) within 2 weeks of result. Navy and Air Force have separate portals.
Q8. When will the score cards (marks) be available?
UPSC will release subject-wise marks on its Marks Information page after the entire selection cycle (Final Result + SSB) is concluded.
Q9. What are the expected cut-off marks for IMA, INA, AFA, OTA?
Estimated cut-offs: IMA 125-135, INA 118-128, AFA 145-155, OTA 100-110, with a minimum 20% in each subject.
Q10. What documents should I keep ready for SSB?
Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, Graduation degree, DOB proof, Caste/EWS certificate, NCC certificate (if any), photo ID — originals plus 2 attested photocopies.