UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 was declared on 2 November 2026 at upsc.gov.in. A total of 243 candidates were recommended — 155 for IMA, 63 for INA, and 25 for AFA. Download the merit list PDF directly from the official UPSC website.
UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 is officially out. The Union Public Service Commission declared the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 final merit list on 2 November 2026 at upsc.gov.in. This guide is for defence aspirants who appeared in the CDS I 2026 written exam and SSB interview and are now checking their final selection status. It covers the complete merit list breakdown, academy-wise recommendations, topper details, how to download the PDF, and next steps for selected candidates.
- Exam Name: Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Advertisement No.: 4/2026 CDS-I
- Written Exam Date: 12 April 2026
- Written Result Date: 8 May 2026 (8,826 qualified for SSB)
- Final Result Date: 2 November 2026
- Total Candidates Recommended: 243 (IMA: 155 | INA: 63 | AFA: 25)
- Overall Topper: Lohitaksh Mahajan (Rank 1 in IMA, INA & AFA)
- IMA Course: 162nd (DE) Course — commences January 2027
- Official Website: upsc.gov.in
- What Is UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026?
- Academy-Wise Recommended Candidates — IMA, INA & AFA
- UPSC CDS I 2026 Topper and Merit List Highlights
- How to Download UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 PDF
- Important Dates — CDS I 2026 Timeline
- What Next? Steps for Finally Selected Candidates
- Important Links — CDS I 2026 Final Result
- Frequently Asked Questions About UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026
What Is UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 and Why Does It Matter?
The UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 is the last stage of selection for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. It is a merit list prepared by the Union Public Service Commission based on combined performance in the written examination (held 12 April 2026) and the Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews conducted by the Ministry of Defence.
This final merit list determines who gets admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala, and Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad for courses commencing January 2027. It does not include the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) list, which is declared separately.
UPSC does not release individual scores at this stage. Marks of all candidates will be made available on the official website after the OTA final result for Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 is declared, as confirmed in the official notice.
Academy-Wise Recommended Candidates — IMA, INA & AFA
The SSB of the Ministry of Defence conducted interviews for candidates who had opted for IMA (162nd DE Course), INA, and AFA (Pre-Flying Training). The final merit list covers three academies, with the following recommendations:
| Academy | Location | Vacancies (Notified) | Candidates Recommended | Course Commences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Dehradun | 100 | 155 | January 2027 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala, Kerala | 26 | 63 | January 2027 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Hyderabad | 32 | 25 | January 2027 |
| Total (IMA + INA + AFA) | — | 158 | 243 | January 2027 |
Note: Some candidates may appear in more than one academy list as they are recommended for multiple preferences. The number recommended (155 + 63 + 25 = 243) reflects candidates on each academy’s merit list respectively. The OTA final result for CDS I 2026 is announced separately by UPSC.
The marks of candidates will be available on upsc.gov.in only after the final result for the OTA course (Combined Defence Services Examination I, 2026) is declared. Do not rely on third-party score estimates. Always verify your status using your roll number on the official PDF at upsc.gov.in.
UPSC CDS I 2026 Topper and Merit List Highlights
Lohitaksh Mahajan topped the UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026, securing Rank 1 across all three academy merit lists — IMA, INA, and AFA. The complete rank-wise list of all 243 recommended candidates is available only in the official PDF at upsc.gov.in.
| Academy | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA | Lohitaksh Mahajan | Lakshya Verma | Shubham Parmar |
| INA | Lohitaksh Mahajan | Naman Singh | Aayush Raghav |
| AFA | Lohitaksh Mahajan | Aditya Sharma | Ashwani Pawar |
The merit list PDF contains the roll numbers and names of all finally recommended candidates, arranged academy-wise. Candidates can use Ctrl+F to search their roll number within the PDF document.
How to Download UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 PDF — Step by Step
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in on your browser.
- Locate the “What’s New” section on the right side of the UPSC homepage.
- Click the link titled “Final Result — Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026.”
- The merit list PDF opens directly — it contains IMA, INA, and AFA lists in sequence.
- Press Ctrl+F (or use the search option on mobile) and type your roll number to locate your name.
- Download and save the PDF — take a printout for future reference and reporting.
The result PDF is available free of charge on upsc.gov.in. No login or registration is required to download the final merit list.
Important Dates — UPSC CDS I 2026 Complete Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Window Open | 10 December 2025 – 30 December 2025 |
| Written Examination Held | 12 April 2026 |
| Written Exam Result Declared (SSB Shortlist) | 8 May 2026 |
| SSB Interviews Conducted | May – October 2026 (by Ministry of Defence) |
| Final Result Declared (IMA, INA, AFA) | 2 November 2026 |
| IMA and INA Course Commencement | January 2027 |
| AFA Pre-Flying Training Course Commencement | January 2027 |
What Next? Steps for Finally Selected Candidates
Candidates whose roll numbers appear in the UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 merit list must follow these steps immediately to confirm their reporting and training:
- Download and verify your name and roll number in the official final merit list PDF from upsc.gov.in.
- Wait for the official reporting letter from your respective academy (IMA, INA, or AFA) detailing joining instructions, reporting date, and required documents.
- Ensure document verification is complete — date of birth certificate, educational qualification proof, and other certificates must be submitted before the academy course commencement.
- Medical examination clearance must be confirmed — the results of the medical examination have not been taken into account in preparing the merit list, as per the official UPSC notice. Medical fitness is mandatory for final joining.
- IMA and INA candidates must ensure original certificates are submitted prior to 1 January 2027. AFA candidates must submit prior to 13 November 2026.
- Report to the academy as per the joining instructions for the 162nd (DE) Course (IMA) and respective INA and AFA courses commencing January 2027.
Candidates who are in the merit list but have not yet cleared their medical examination should contact their recruiting directorate for the next steps, as final admission is subject to medical fitness.
Important Links — UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026
When was the UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 declared and where can candidates download the official merit list PDF?
How many candidates were recommended in UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 for IMA, INA and AFA combined?
Who topped the UPSC CDS I Final Result 2026 merit list and what are the academy-wise top ranks?
When will UPSC release individual marks for CDS I 2026 candidates and what is the process to access scores?
What is the deadline for selected CDS I 2026 candidates to submit original certificates before IMA and AFA joining?
Last Updated: November 2026. This page is reviewed and updated when official data changes. Bookmark examera.in for the latest UPSC defence exam results and updates.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. All data is sourced from official UPSC notices and verified public sources. Always verify your result status and joining instructions directly on upsc.gov.in before taking any action.
