CDS Eligibility 2024: Age Limit, Qualification, Physical Standards

CDS Eligibility 2024: Age Limit, Qualification, Physical Standards

ByNaveen Singh  |  Updated on: Sep 25, 2023
Check CDS Eligibility 2024 for male and female candidates here. Also, know all about eligibility criteria, including CDS Age Limit, qualifications, physical standards, nationality, etc.

CDS Eligibility 2024 includes parameters like educational qualification, nationality, marital status, age limit, etc, which must be satisfied by the candidates to be eligible for the exam. No candidate will be allowed to appear for the exam if they are found to be ineligible. Therefore, those who want to appear for the exam must check the latest CDS eligibility criteria and see if they qualify for the same.

The CDS Age Limit depends on the branch for which the aspirant has applied, for example, for the Indian Air Force Academy, candidates must be between 20-24 years as of 1st January 2025. Check complete details on the UPSC CDS eligibility for male and female candidates here for different branches such as OTA, IAFA, IMA, and INA.

CDS Eligibility 2024

The Union Public Service Commission releases the CDS Eligibility Criteria along with the official recruitment notification. Interested candidates must check the eligibility criteria for the Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS) before filling out the application form, as those who fail to meet the eligibility parameters will be debarred from the examination. To ensure final selection, candidates must fulfill all the CDS eligibility including,

  • Nationality
  • CDS Age Limit
  • Educational Qualification
  • Marital Status
  • Medical Conditions
  • Physical Standards

To help you figure out if you are eligible to apply for the exam, we have explained all the parameters for CDS eligibility below.

CDS Age Limit

It is of prime importance for the candidates to fit the designated criteria of CDS age limit 2024 as it determines whether or not will they be allowed to take the exam. They must ensure that they are fulfilling each criterion before filling out the application form. Before kickstarting the preparations, ensure that you are fulfilling the CDS eligibility for females or males, whatever applies to you. We've entailed the detailed CDS age limit criteria below for different posts:

Branch

CDS Age Limit 2024

IMA & INA (Indian Military Academy & Indian Naval Academy)

The candidate applying for IMA & INA should not have been born later than 1st January 2006 and not earlier than 2nd January 2001.

AFA (Air Force Academy)

The candidate must be between 20-24 years as of 1st January 2024. The candidate should not have been born later than 1st January 2005 and not earlier than 2nd January 2001.

OTA (Officer’s Training Academy)

The candidate should not have been born later than 1st January 2006 and not earlier than 2nd January 2000.

CDS Age Relaxation

In the CDS Exam, certain candidates can benefit from age relaxation norms which are a part of CDS eligibility criteria 2024. Candidates who hold a valid and current commercial pilot license issued by DGCA (India) are entitled to relaxation in the upper age limit up to 26 years. Note that age relaxation in the exam is exclusive and only provided to limited candidates.

CDS Eligibility for Female

In the OTA domain, interested females who satisfy the CDS eligibility can kickstart the preparations to accomplish their dreams. Female applicants must fit the criteria in order to be considered eligible for the exam. Here are the details about the CDS eligibility for female candidates: 

  • Any female candidate applying for the exam should not have been born later than 1st January 2006 and not earlier than 2nd January 2000.
  • According to the CDS physical eligibility for female candidates, the minimum required height is 152 cm.
  • Other related eligibility parameters for female candidates remain the same as for male candidates.

CDS Qualification

Similar to the CDS age limit, the UPSC has also established a minimum educational qualification for candidates interested in the exam. Every candidate must meet the CDS qualification requirements to be considered for the posts. To learn about the educational requirements as per CDS eligibility, refer to the information provided below:

  • Candidates who select Army, Navy, or Air Force as their first choice must bring their graduation certificate to the SSB interview.
  • Applicants in their last year of graduation may apply if they do not have any outstanding debts; nevertheless, such candidates must produce a valid degree certificate at the time of course start.

The following table lists the specific CDS qualification requirements. Have a look at the table to understand the educational degree required for different posts.

Branch

CDS Qualification

IMA (Indian Military Academy) & OTA (Officers’ Training Academy)

Degree from a recognized university or equivalent.

INA (Indian Naval Academy)

Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institute.

IAFA (Indian Air Force Academy)

Bachelor of Engineering or Degree from a recognized university (with Maths & Physics at 10+2).

CDS Marital Status

The candidates applying for the exam must fit into the marital status CDS eligibility. We have provided the details for the marital status covered in the CDS eligibility for candidates applying to different branches. Aspiring candidates can check their marital status required for the same. To check the CDS marital criteria of male candidates, refer to the table provided below:

CDS Eligibility For Male - Marital Status

Branch

Marital Status

IMA & INA

Unmarried

IAFA

Candidates who are below the age limit of 25 years must be unmarried. Candidates won’t be allowed to get married during the training period.

As the IAFA provides age relaxation for certain candidates, Candidates who are above the age of 25 years and are married can apply but during training, no accommodation for a spouse would be provided nor will the candidates be allowed to live with family outside the premises.

OTA

Unmarried

CDS Eligibility for Female - Marital Status

As female candidates are now allowed to participate in the recruitment, the CDS eligibility for female candidates is also specified. To get the details about the same, check out the given table:

CDS Eligibility for Female - Marital Status

Branch

Marital Status

OTA

Unmarried females, Widows who have not remarried, and Divorcees who have not remarried and possess divorce documents are eligible

Nationality as per CDS Eligibility Criteria

As per the CDS eligibility, the applicants must fulfil the nationality criteria. If a candidate doesn’t fit into the criteria, he/she will not be allowed to apply for the exam. The nationality requirements for every candidate are given below. The candidate applying must be:

  • A citizen of India, or
  • A subject of Bhutan, or
  • A subject of Nepal, or
  • A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 01/01/1962, for settling in India permanently, or
  • An Indian-origin person who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam for settling in India permanently.

Note: Candidates in categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 must present to the recruiting authority a valid certificate issued by the Indian government. The CDS eligibility certificate is not required for Gorkhas subjected to Nepal.

CDS Medical Eligibility

As per the CDS eligibility, candidates who are interested in the exam should be medically fit to be considered eligible for the job. To fulfil the CDS eligibility criteria, every candidate should know about the medical conditions that can hinder their journey. Given below are the specifics of the medical conditions that would not allow you to apply for the exam:

  • Condition of Overweight/Underweight
  • Under Sized Chest
  • Piles
  • Wax (Ears)
  • Deviated Nasal Septum
  • Tonsillitis
  • Gynaecomastia
  • Varicocele
  • Hydrocele / Phimosis

According to the CDS eligibility, candidates must be in the best medical and mental condition. A detailed medical examination report would be required to prove their medical condition before they are allowed to participate further in the recruitment process.

CDS Physical Eligibility

According to the CDS eligibility, candidates must meet the prescribed physical standards for fitness. Candidates who are interested in knowing all about CDS physical eligibility can read below:

  • They must be in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/disability which can interfere with the performance of duties.
  • There should be no evidence of weak constitution, bodily defects, or underweight. The candidate should not be overweight or obese.
  • Candidates should have no past history of mental breakdown or fits.
  • The minimum CDS height required for male candidates is 157.5 cms (157 cms for the Navy and 162.5 cms for Air Force). For women candidates, the minimum CDS height required is 152 cm. However, the minimum height for all entries is 148 cm after all types of waivers/dispensations.
  • For Male Candidates, the chest should be well developed. 
  • The Body Mass Index of the candidates should be below 25.

Also Check:

FAQs on CDS Eligibility Criteria

  • CDS eligibility provides conditions on various parameters such as nationality, educational qualification, CDS age limit, marital status, etc which must be satisfied by the applicants. Both male and female candidates can apply for the posts if they satisfy the eligibility criteria set by the UPSC.

  • Candidates must fit into the UPSC CDS age limit criteria to be allowed to appear for the exam. The age limit for the Indian Air Force Academy is 20-24 years. Certain age relaxation shall be given to some candidates. Candidates are advised to check the detailed CDS age limit 2024 for different posts given in the table above.

  • Female candidates can apply for the OTA posts. As per the CDS eligibility for female candidates, those born later than 1st January 2005 and not earlier than 2nd January 1999 can apply for the posts. All other conditions related to qualification and nationality remain the same as that for male candidates.

  • The educational requirement differs according to the posts. Here are the brief details about the CDS qualification:

    • Indian Military Academy: Degree from a recognised University. 
    • Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institute.
    • Indian Air Force Academy: Bachelor of Engineering or degree from a recognized University (with Maths and Physics) in 10+ 2. 
  • The CDS eligibility criteria for nationality say that the applicant must be a citizen of India, a subject of Bhutan, or Nepal. Tibetan refugees who came over to India before 01/01/1962 are also eligible. Candidates must check the latest CDS nationality criteria as stated in the official notification before applying for the exam.

  • As per the CDS eligibility criteria, age relaxation is provided to a very limited number of candidates applying for the IAFA posts. Only candidates who hold a valid and current commercial pilot license issued by DGCA (India) are entitled to relaxation in the upper age limit up to 26 years.

  • Under the CDS eligibility, the interested candidate must fit into the following physical fitness criteria - 

    • The Body Mass Index of the candidates should be below 25.
    • The candidate must be mentally sound.
    • The minimum height required for male candidates is 157.5 cms (157 cms for the Navy and 162.5 cms for Air Force).
    • For women candidates minimum required height is 152 cm.
  • Yes, candidates studying in the final semester can apply for the exam if they satisfy all other CDS eligibility criteria. Make sure you have checked the age limit, marital status and other parameters of the eligibility criteria for the post you are applying for.

  • The parameters for CDS OTA Eligibility are as follows:

    • Age Limit (for male & female) - The candidate should not have been born later than 1st July 2005 and not earlier than 2nd July 1999.
    • Marital Status (male) - Unmarried.
    • Marital Status (female) - Unmarried females, Widows who have not remarried, and Divorcees who have not remarried.

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