Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announces final result of Joint Defence Service Examination (I), 2026.

**UPSC Releases Final Results of 2026 Combined Defence Services Examination**

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the final results of the 2026 Combined Defence Services Examination (I) on its official portal. This year, a total of 148,000 candidates appeared for the written exam, which comprised two stages—Preliminary (Prelims) and Main (Mains). From the 148,000 candidates, 31,000 were selected in the Preliminary stage to advance to the Main examination, and after the Main exam, more than 2,800 candidates were called for interviews for officer positions in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The cut‑off marks shown in the results varied by service branch, with a minimum of 62% for the Army, 58% for the Navy, and 60% for the Air Force.

After the announcement of the results, selected candidates will have to undergo further medical tests, a Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and the interview process. All successful candidates will receive an official notification for training programmes to be held next month, which will include training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Indian Air Force Academy (IAF). This year’s examination saw a notable increase in female participation, with more than 20% of the selected candidates being women, which is expected to promote gender diversity in the Indian Armed Forces.

UPSC has also outlined the application process and timetable for the future Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2027, providing prospective candidates with timely guidance for preparation. This result announcement has sparked renewed enthusiasm and motivation among the country’s youth for national service, and is expected to infuse new energy into the Indian Armed Forces.