The Union Public Service Commission announces merit list for Officer Training Academy; 473 men and 62 women advance to the next phase of selection.
On December 29, 2025, the commission announced that 535 candidates have qualified based on their written examination performance and subsequent interviews conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). These selected candidates are now eligible for admission to various defence training academies, with courses scheduled to commence in April 2026.
The Numbers Behind the Achievement
Among the 535 shortlisted candidates, 473 are male and 62 are female, representing the growing participation of women in India’s defence forces. The merit list has been prepared for two primary courses at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai: the 123rd Short Service Commission (SSC) Course for men and the 37th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course.
The government initially announced 275 vacancies for the men’s course and 18 vacancies for the women’s course, totaling just 293 positions.
However, the commission has recommended more candidates than the actual vacancies, a standard practice to account for medical unfitness, withdrawals, and document verification issues that emerge during subsequent stages.
The Selection Process at a Glance
Candidates who make the final list have successfully cleared the written examination, which tests knowledge across diverse subjects including English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. Following the written exam, shortlisted candidates underwent interviews with the Services Selection Board, a panel of senior defence personnel who evaluate candidates’ leadership potential, problem-solving abilities, and suitability for officer roles.
Most importantly, the current merit list does not include medical examination results, candidates remain “provisionally” selected pending medical fitness clearance from defence authorities. All recommended candidates must also undergo thorough verification of their date of birth and educational qualifications by the respective defence service headquarters
How to Access the Merit List
Candidates can verify their selection status by visiting the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in. The process is straightforward:
- Step 1: Navigate to the homepage and locate the “What’s New” section
- Step 2: Click on “Final Result: Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2025 (OTA)”
- Step 3: The result will open as a PDF containing roll numbers and names
- Step 4: Use the “Ctrl + F” keyboard shortcut to search for your name or roll number
- Step 5: Download and save the PDF for future reference
Direct Result Link: https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/CDS_I_2025_OTA_FR_Eng_29122025.pdf
What’s Next for Selected Candidates
While selection to the merit list is a major achievement, it is not the final confirmation. Successful candidates must now focus on several critical steps:
- Medical Examination: Candidates will undergo comprehensive medical tests to ensure they meet the strict fitness standards required for commissioned officer positions. Medical unfitness at this stage is a leading reason for candidates dropping out of the selection process.
- Document Verification: The defence service headquarters will meticulously verify all educational qualifications, date of birth, and other eligibility criteria. Any discrepancies can result in disqualification.
- Individual Marks Release: UPSC will publish individual candidate marks within 15 days from the result announcement date. These scores will remain available on the website for 30 days, allowing candidates to understand their performance in the written exam and interviews.
- Training Commencement: Upon clearing medical and documentation hurdles, successful candidates will report to the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in April 2026 to begin their 49-week commission course.
Non-Recommended Candidates
Candidates who were not selected can access a special disclosure section on the UPSC website to view their scores and other performance details, helping them identify areas for improvement if they wish to attempt future defence examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many candidates were selected in the UPSC CDS (I) 2025 OTA final result?
A total of 535 candidates have been shortlisted for the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. This includes 473 male candidates for the 123rd SSC Course (NT) and 62 female candidates for the 37th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course.
2. When will the training for the selected CDS (I) 2025 candidates begin?
The training courses for both men and women at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai are scheduled to commence in April 2026.
3. When can I check my individual marks for the CDS (I) 2025 exam?
The UPSC will release the individual marks of all candidates (both recommended and non-recommended) on its official website within 15 days of the final result announcement. The marks will remain available for a period of 30 days.
