8,956 Qualify: UPSC CDS 2 Result 2026 Declared, Check Roll Number for 451 Defence Posts

The Union Public Service Commission has declared the written result of the Combined Defence Services (CDS) II examination 2026. A total of 8,956 candidates have qualified for the next stage, the interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB). The result is live on the commission’s website, and candidates can download the PDF to look up their roll numbers.

The written examination was held on September 13, 2026. This recruitment round covers 451 posts across the defence services. Students who cleared the written paper are now one big step closer to joining the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Indian Naval Academy (INA), the Air Force Academy (AFA), or the Officers Training Academy (OTA). You can check the result on the official UPSC website by opening the Examination Written Results section.

8,956 clear the written test. Here is what happens next.

The result PDF lists only the roll numbers of qualified candidates. If your roll number appears in the list, you move to the SSB interview round. The SSB is run by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence. It tests personality, leadership qualities, and officer-like traits through a series of group and individual tasks.

One step is easy to miss. Candidates who gave Army (IMA or OTA) as their first choice must register themselves on the recruiting directorate website of the Indian Army. The Army sends SSB interview information only to registered candidates, so do not skip this.

Clearing the written exam is the hard part for most aspirants. Now 8,956 candidates face the SSB — the stage that finally decides who becomes an officer.

How to check your UPSC CDS 2 result 2026, step by step

Follow these steps to see if you qualified:

• Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
• Look for the Active Examination section and choose the CDS exam 2026 option.
• Click the link titled CDS 2 Written Result. The PDF will open.
• Press Ctrl+F on your keyboard and type your roll number to search.
• Download the PDF and keep a copy saved for future reference.

If you appeared for other government exams too, you can track those outcomes in our results section — recent updates include the AIIMS NORCET 11 result and the IBPS SO prelims result.

What the SSB interview actually tests

The SSB is very different from a written exam. It runs over several days and has multiple rounds. There is a screening test first, which filters the batch. Those who clear it go through psychology tests, group tasks run by the Group Testing Officer, a personal interview, and a final conference with the board members.

The assessors look for officer-like qualities: clear thinking, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Your written-exam score gets you to the SSB. Your performance at the SSB decides whether you are recommended for the academy. Many toppers of the written exam miss out here, and many average scorers make it through, so take this stage seriously.

After the SSB: medicals and the final merit list

Candidates recommended by the SSB go for a medical examination. Defence service has strict medical standards, and the medical board checks fitness in detail. Only candidates who are declared fit move to the final merit list.

The final merit list is prepared on the basis of the combined performance in the written exam and the SSB interview. Your name on today’s result PDF means you have cleared only the first hurdle. Stay updated through the official UPSC website, because all notices about SSB dates, medical schedules, and the merit list appear there first.

Marksheet and cut-off details, explained simply

The marksheets are not out yet. The commission has said they will be uploaded on upsconline.nic.in within 15 days of the date of publication of the final OTA result, after the SSB interviews are done. The marksheets will remain on the website for 30 days, so download yours early.

The cut-off marks will also be released along with the marksheet. UPSC does not announce cut-offs with the result notice, so wait for the official marksheet release instead of trusting random cut-off lists circulating on social media.

Quick recap of the CDS 2 2026 round

The notification for this round carried 451 vacancies. Applications were open from May 20 to June 11, 2026. The written exam took place on September 13, 2026, in offline mode. Candidates are shortlisted for admission to the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA courses, subject to the eligibility conditions of each academy.

If your roll number is on the list, start preparing for the SSB without delay. The interview stage needs a different kind of preparation from the written exam, so give yourself the full window.