Big news for defence aspirants today. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the written examination result of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. As many as 8,956 candidates have qualified for the next stage of the selection process and will now face the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
The result was announced on October 19, 2026 and is available on the Commission’s official website, upsc.gov.in. Candidates who appeared in the written test held on September 13 can check the merit list PDF and search for their roll number in the list of qualified candidates.
This round of CDS fills 451 vacancies across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). Clearing the written paper is a huge milestone, but aspirants know the real test of officer-like qualities still lies ahead at the SSB centres.
How to check the CDS 2 result 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to download the result PDF:
- Visit the official website upsc.gov.in.
- Go to the “Examination” section and click on “Written Results”.
- Find the link for “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026”.
- The result PDF will open on the screen with roll numbers of qualified candidates.
- Use Ctrl+F to search for your roll number and download the PDF for future reference.
The Commission has clarified that the candidature of all qualified candidates is provisional for now. It will be confirmed only after the prescribed eligibility conditions and documents are verified.
What happens next: the SSB interview
Qualifying the written examination is only the first gate. The shortlisted candidates are now eligible to appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB) of the Ministry of Defence for interviews and further assessment. The SSB process tests personality, leadership and decision-making through psychological tests, group tasks and personal interviews spread over five days.
The courses covered by this result include entry into the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy at Hyderabad, and the Officers Training Academy at Chennai for both men and women. The UPSC notice also mentions that some candidates appear in more than one course-wise list, so the individual course figures should not simply be added together.
Candidates who gave army as their first choice (IMA or OTA) are also required to register themselves on the recruiting directorate website so that they can receive information and instructions regarding the SSB interview.
Key highlights of the result
- Exam: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026
- Written exam date: September 13, 2026
- Result declared: October 19, 2026
- Candidates qualified: 8,956
- Total vacancies: 451 (IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, OTA 293)
- Next stage: SSB interview by the Ministry of Defence
- Official website: upsc.gov.in
Documents qualified candidates should keep ready
Once the SSB call-up letters start going out, qualified candidates will need to submit copies of their essential documents to the Commission. It is wise to keep these ready in advance: proof of date of birth, degree certificates or provisional certificates, category certificates if applicable, and a valid photo ID. Any mismatch between the documents and the application details can lead to disqualification, so candidates should double-check every detail now.
FAQs
When was the UPSC CDS 2 result 2026 declared?
The result was declared on October 19, 2026 on the UPSC website upsc.gov.in.
How many candidates qualified in CDS 2 2026?
A total of 8,956 candidates have qualified in the written examination for 451 defence vacancies.
What is the next stage after the CDS written result?
Qualified candidates will appear before the Services Selection Board (SSB) for a five-day selection process, followed by medical examination.
Where can I download the CDS 2 result PDF?
The result PDF with roll numbers of qualified candidates is available under the Written Results section on upsc.gov.in.
Is the CDS 2 2026 qualification final?
No. The candidature is provisional until eligibility conditions are verified and the candidate clears the SSB interview and medical examination.
The road to a commission in the Indian Armed Forces is long, and today 8,956 aspirants took a decisive step forward. For those who missed out this time, the next CDS cycle is not far away. Keep preparing, and check Informeia for the latest updates on results, admit cards and defence recruitments.
