UPSC CDS I final results out. Lohitaksh Mahajan tops merit list, direct link here

UPSC has declared the CDS I 2026 final result, with Lohitaksh Mahajan securing the top rank and 243 candidates recommended for the three defence academies. The merit list follows the written exam and SSB interviews for 451 vacancies across the IMA, INA and AFA.

In Short

• Recruitment drive seeks to fill 451 vacancies across three defence academies
• Written examination was conducted on April 12 across three shifts
• Papers covered English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics subjects in sequence

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the much-awaited final result of the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination I, 2026. Candidates who appeared for the written test and subsequent Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews can check the list of recommended candidates on the commission's official website, upsc.gov.in.

Lohitaksh Mahajan has secured the top position in this year's examination. According to the commission, a total of 243 candidates have been recommended for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA), following the completion of the selection process.

UPSC CDS I FINAL RESULT 2026: ACADEMIES AND SELECTION PROCESS

The SSB interviews were conducted by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to the 162nd (DE) Course at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala; and the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, for the Pre-Flying Training Course.

The final merit list was prepared after the completion of the SSB interviews conducted by the Army Headquarters. A total of 243 candidates have made it to the final list.

Candidates can check the name-wise and roll number-wise list of recommended candidates through the result PDF available on the UPSC website.

CDS I 2026: VACANCIES AND WRITTEN EXAMINATION DETAILS

The CDS I 2026 recruitment drive is being conducted to fill 451 vacancies across the three defence academies. The application process began on December 11, 2025, and ended on December 30, 2025.

In the written examination, the Commission had recommended 2,601 candidates for the Indian Military Academy, 770 for the Indian Naval Academy and 610 for the Air Force Academy.

For examination-related queries, candidates can visit the UPSC Facilitation Counter at the Commission's office on working days between 10 am and 5:30 pm. They can also contact the Candidate Helpdesk at 011-24041001 or 011-40303444 between 9 am and 8 pm on all days.

Candidates should visit the official UPSC website for further details and updates on the selection process.

- Ends