CDS (II) 2026 written result is out: 8,956 candidates go to SSB interviews for 451 officer vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the written result of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. A press note dated 19 October 2026 says 8,956 candidates have qualified for interviews by the Services Selection Board (SSB) of the Ministry of Defence. The written exam was held on 13 September 2026.

How many qualified for each course

UPSC gives separate roll-number lists for each course. Many candidates appear in more than one list, which is why the lists add up to 13,133 roll numbers while 8,956 people qualified. The vacancies come from the exam notification of 20 May 2026.

Course	Starts	Vacancies	Roll numbers on the list
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (163rd DE)	July 2027	100 (13 for NCC 'C')	2,610
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala	July 2027	26 (6 for NCC 'C', 1 Hydro)	1,435
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (222 F(P))	July 2027	32 (3 for NCC 'C')	636
OTA Chennai, 126th SSC (Men) (NT)	October 2027	275	8,092
OTA Chennai, 126th SSC Women (NT)	October 2027	18	360
Total		451	8,956 candidates

That is roughly 26 candidates per IMA seat and about 29 per OTA (Men) seat. The SSB interview carries as many marks as the written exam: 300 each for IMA, the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy, and 200 each for OTA. A strong written score alone will not get you a seat.

What to do now

1. Army first choice (IMA or OTA): register on joinindianarmy.nic.in so that you receive your SSB call-up. If you registered earlier, do not register again.
2. Navy first choice: the notification says call letters can be downloaded from joinindiannavy.gov.in, or requested by email at [email protected], three weeks after the result.
3. Air Force first choice: watch careerindianairforce.cdac.in for SSB updates.
4. Changed your address? Tell Army, Naval or Air headquarters directly. Do not write to UPSC.
5. Collect your original certificates. Proof of age, your degree and any NCC 'C' certificate must reach the service headquarters by 1 July 2027 for IMA and the Naval Academy, by 13 May 2027 for the Air Force Academy and by 1 October 2027 for OTA. Do not send originals to UPSC.

If your call letter does not come

Write to Army headquarters (Recruiting Directorate, CDSE Entry or SSC Women Entry, West Block III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi) if your IMA call-up has not arrived by the second week of February 2027, or your OTA call-up by the second week of May 2027. Navy and Air Force candidates should write to their headquarters if nothing arrives by the fourth week of February 2027.

UPSC's facilitation counter takes questions on working days from 10 am to 5 pm. The help desk is on 011-24041001 and 011-40303444. For SSB matters, Army candidates can call 011-26175473. Marksheets will go up on upsconline.nic.in within 15 days of the final OTA result.

The NDA and NA (II) 2026 written result came out earlier this month. Read our report on the 7,886 NDA candidates headed for SSB.

CareerBox News Desk, reporting on the Union Public Service Commission press note of 19 October 2026 declaring the written result of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026, and the examination notification dated 20 May 2026. Official portal: upsc.gov.in. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.