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The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit officers into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). Candidates must pass the CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria to be recruited into one of the three Indian Armed Forces. Even though there are various qualifying standards for recruitment in the three Indian Academies. Here is comprehensive information on the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025 you need to fulfil to apply for the CDS exam.
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) provides detailed eligibility criteria for the Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS) in its official recruitment notification. Prospective candidates are strongly advised to carefully review these criteria before proceeding with the application process. Failure to meet any of the specified eligibility requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. The key aspects of CDS eligibility include:
- CDS Age Limit
- Nationality
- Educational Qualification
- Marital Status
- Medical Conditions
- Physical Standards
CDS Exam 2025 Age Limit
Here candidates can check the CDS Age Limit 2025 for every category and Branch:
Branch | CDS Age Limit 2025 |
---|---|
IMA & INA (Indian Military Academy & Indian Naval Academy) | Born not later than 1st January 2006, and not earlier than 2nd January 2001. |
AFA (Air Force Academy) | Between 20-24 years as of 1st January 2025. Born not later than 1st January 2005, and not earlier than 2nd January 2001. |
OTA (Officer’s Training Academy) | Born not later than 1st January 2006, and not earlier than 2nd January 2000. |
CDS Age Relaxation
Candidates with a valid and current commercial pilot license issued by DGCA (India) are entitled to age relaxation, up to 26 years. Note that age relaxation in the exam is exclusive and is provided only to a limited number of candidates.
CDS Exam Eligibility Nationality
Those who want to take the CDS Exam in 2025 must not be married and must either:
- A citizen of India;
- A subject from Bhutan, or
- A Nepali person, or
- A refugee from Tibet who reached India prior to January 1, 1962, to settle permanently;
- An individual of Indian descent who moved to India to reside there permanently, such as someone from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and the East African nations of Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zaire.
Educational Qualifications for CDS Exam 2025
Before applying for the examination, candidates should be familiar with the educational requirements. Here, we have provided comprehensive information about the educational requirements for the CDS Exam 2025 Notification.
Academy | Educational Qualification |
Indian Military Academy | Graduation Degree |
Indian Naval Academy | B.E/B.Tech (10+2 with Physics & Maths) |
Air Force Academy | Graduation, B.E/B.Tech (10+2 with Physics &Maths) |
Officers’ Training Academy (Men) | Graduation Degree |
Officers’ Training Academy (Women) | Graduation Degree |
CDS Exam 2025 Marital Status Eligibility
Candidates applying for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam must adhere to specific marital status criteria. The eligibility criteria for male and female candidates in different branches are outlined below:
CDS Eligibility for Male-Marital Status
Branch | Marital Status |
---|---|
IMA & INA | Unmarried |
AFA | Candidates below 25 years old must be unmarried. Candidates above 25 years old and married can apply, but no accommodation for a spouse will be provided during training, and living with family outside the premises is not allowed. |
OTA | Unmarried |
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. |
Candidates need to verify and fulfil the specific marital status requirements for the branch they are applying to. For male candidates, the status varies across IMA & INA, AFA, and OTA, while female candidates applying to OTA have specific conditions related to marital status. Compliance with these criteria is crucial to ensure eligibility and a successful application process for the CDS exam.
CDS Exam Medical Eligibility
Medical Conditions | CDS Eligibility Criteria |
---|---|
Overweight/Underweight | Must meet the prescribed weight standards. |
Undersized Chest | Chest should be well-developed. |
Piles | Not allowed. |
Wax (Ears) | No specific restriction, but overall ear health is considered. |
Deviated Nasal Septum | Not allowed. |
Tonsillitis | Not allowed. |
Gynaecomastia | Not allowed. |
Varicocele | Not allowed. |
Hydrocele / Phimosis | Not allowed. |
A detailed medical examination report is required to confirm the candidate’s medical condition before proceeding in the recruitment process.
CDS Exam Physical Eligibility
Physical Criteria | CDS Eligibility Criteria |
---|---|
General Health | Good physical and mental health, free from diseases or disabilities. |
Constitution and Body Defects | No evidence of weak constitution, bodily defects, underweight, overweight, or obesity. |
Mental Health | No past history of mental breakdown or fits. |
Height (Male) | Minimum 157.5 cm (157 cm for Navy, 162.5 cm for Air Force). The minimum height for all entries is 148 cm after waivers/dispensations. |
Height (Female) | Minimum 152 cm. The minimum height for all entries is 148 cm after waivers/dispensations. |
Chest (Male) | Well-developed chest. |
Body Mass Index (BMI) | Should be below 25. |
Candidates must ensure they meet these specified medical and physical standards, in addition to educational and age criteria, to be eligible for the CDS examination.