The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the CDS 2 2025 OTA Final Merit List for candidates seeking admission to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. A total of 483 candidates have finally qualified for the 124th Short Service Commission courses scheduled to commence in October 2026.
According to the official result released on 7 August 2026, the final list contains 455 male candidates and 28 female candidates recommended on the basis of their performance in the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025 and subsequent Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews conducted by the Ministry of Defence.
CDS 2 2025 OTA Final Result Overview
The successful candidates have been recommended for admission to the 124th Short Service Commission Course (Men) Non-Technical and the 124th Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical Course at OTA Chennai.
Both courses are scheduled to begin in October 2026. The CDS 2 2025 written examination was conducted by UPSC on 14 September 2025, following which shortlisted candidates appeared for SSB interviews. (UPSC)
The final selection figures are:
| Category | Candidates Recommended |
|---|---|
| OTA Men | 455 |
| OTA Women | 28 |
| Total | 483 |
CDS 2 2025 OTA Vacancies
As per the vacancies communicated by the Government, there are 276 vacancies for the 124th Short Service Commission Men Non-Technical Course and 19 vacancies for the 124th Short Service Commission Women Non-Technical Course.
Candidates should note that the number of names appearing in the merit list can be higher than the notified vacancies. In particular, the OTA Men’s merit list also contains candidates who had previously been recommended through the same CDS 2 2025 examination for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy.
OTA Men Top 10 Candidates in CDS 2 2025
The first ten candidates in the order of merit for the Officers Training Academy Men course are:
| Rank | Roll Number | Candidate Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6600380 | Karale Ritesh Shivanand |
| 2 | 3503940 | Sukhraj Singh Heera |
| 3 | 0826457 | Devrath Singh Bisht |
| 4 | 0804446 | Samar Islam Laskar |
| 5 | 6100587 | Aman Kumar |
| 6 | 0826294 | Vivek Kumar |
| 7 | 3600159 | Anish Venkatesh Shastry |
| 8 | 3501559 | Abhimanyu Yadav |
| 9 | 0804517 | Amritanshu Nautiyal |
| 10 | 1400756 | Lakshya Verma |
Karale Ritesh Shivanand has secured the first position in the OTA Men’s merit list, followed by Sukhraj Singh Heera and Devrath Singh Bisht.
OTA Women Top 10 Candidates in CDS 2 2025
The top ten candidates in the order of merit for the Officers Training Academy Women course are:
| Rank | Roll Number | Candidate Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0820657 | Khushmeet Kaur Sona |
| 2 | 1107143 | Shinail Singh |
| 3 | 3508549 | Radha |
| 4 | 0815933 | Tannu |
| 5 | 7903661 | Nancy Singh |
| 6 | 0303111 | Janhavi Sharma |
| 7 | 0817657 | Jannat |
| 8 | 1404550 | Anita Rawat |
| 9 | 2608163 | Virupakshi Pandey |
| 10 | 5902232 | Arya Prasad |
Khushmeet Kaur Sona has topped the OTA Women’s merit list, followed by Shinail Singh and Radha. (SSBCrack)
Medical Examination Not Considered in Merit List
UPSC has clarified that the results of the medical examination have not been taken into account while preparing the CDS 2 2025 OTA merit list.
Therefore, inclusion of a candidate’s name in the final merit list does not by itself mean that every stage of the joining process has been completed. Candidates will still have to meet the prescribed medical and administrative requirements before joining the academy.
Candidature of Recommended Candidates Is Provisional
The candidature of all recommended candidates remains provisional.
Army Headquarters will verify the Date of Birth and educational qualifications of the candidates. Candidates should therefore ensure that their original documents and certificates are complete and consistent with the details submitted during the CDS application and SSB process.
Any discrepancy identified during document verification may affect the candidature of an applicant.
When Will CDS 2 2025 OTA Marks Be Released?
UPSC has stated that the marks of candidates will be made available on the Commission’s website within 15 days from the declaration of the final result.
Once uploaded, the marks will remain available on the UPSC website for a period of 30 days.
Candidates should download and save their marks once they are published.
The marks are particularly useful for future CDS aspirants as they provide an indication of the level of performance required across the written examination and SSB interview to secure a competitive position in the final merit list.
How to Check CDS 2 2025 OTA Final Merit List
Candidates can check the CDS 2 2025 OTA final result through the official UPSC website.
Visit the UPSC website and navigate to the Final Results section. Look for the result titled “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025 – Officers Training Academy” and open the final merit list PDF.
Candidates can then use the search function in the PDF by pressing Ctrl + F on a computer and entering their roll number or name.
The result PDF provides the candidates’ serial numbers, roll numbers and names in order of merit.
CDS 2 2025 Selection Process
The CDS OTA selection process consists primarily of the UPSC written examination followed by the SSB interview.
Candidates applying for OTA are required to appear for two written papers — English and General Knowledge. Unlike candidates applying for IMA, INA and AFA through CDS, OTA aspirants do not have an Elementary Mathematics paper.
Candidates clearing the written cut-off are called for the five-day SSB interview process. The SSB assesses candidates through psychological tests, Group Testing Officer tasks, personal interviews and the conference.
Candidates recommended by the SSB subsequently undergo medical examination before being considered for final joining subject to merit, eligibility, medical fitness and availability of vacancies.
What Happens After the CDS OTA Final Merit List?
Candidates whose names appear in the CDS 2 2025 OTA merit list should closely monitor communications from the Indian Army and the relevant authorities regarding document verification, medical status and joining instructions.
The selected candidates are being considered for the 124th SSC courses commencing at Officers Training Academy, Chennai, in October 2026.
Candidates should keep their registered email address and mobile number active and regularly check official portals for further updates.
About Officers Training Academy Chennai
The Officers Training Academy in Chennai is one of the premier pre-commission training institutions of the Indian Army. It trains men and women selected for Short Service Commission in various arms and services of the Army.
Candidates undergo intensive military training aimed at developing physical fitness, leadership qualities, tactical understanding, discipline and military skills required of commissioned officers.
Successful completion of training at OTA leads to commissioning into the Indian Army as a Lieutenant.
CDS 2 2025 OTA Result: Important Points
The CDS 2 2025 OTA final result has recommended 483 candidates, comprising 455 men and 28 women.
The Government had notified 276 vacancies for the men’s course and 19 vacancies for the women’s course. Medical examination results have not been considered while preparing the merit list, and the candidature of recommended candidates remains provisional pending verification of their date of birth and educational qualifications.
UPSC will publish candidates’ marks within 15 days of the result declaration, and the marks will remain accessible for 30 days.
For the 483 successful candidates, the declaration of the final merit list marks the culmination of months of preparation encompassing the CDS written examination, SSB interview and subsequent selection procedures. Those finally issued joining instructions will begin training at OTA Chennai as part of the 124th Short Service Commission courses commencing in October 2026.
