CDS is known as Combined Defence Service. It is conducted to recruit for various posts in the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. Through this article, you will get complete information about CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024.
CDS Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who want to join Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy must apply for CDS Exam 2022. Before applying for that, they need to check their eligibility criteria which are as given below: Each candidate must fulfill the eligibility requirements and should apply only after verifying CDS eligibility criteria.
Age Limit
- Candidates whose age falls below 19 years will not be eligible.
| Academy | Educational Qualification | Age Group |
| Indian Military Academy | Graduation or Equivalent Degree | 20-25 years |
| Indian Naval Academy | Degree in Engineering | 20-24 years |
| Indian Airforce Academy | Degree in B.E or B.tech/B.sc with 10+2 Certificate | 20-25 years |
| Officer’s Training Academy(Women) | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University | Unmarried Candidates (20-25 years) |
| Officer’s Training Academy (Men) | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university | Unmarried Candidates (20-25 years) |
- Candidates should be Indian nationals. Candidates from Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, Burma, Sri Lanka, & various East African Countries will also be eligible.
- The candidate should be unmarried to apply for IMA, INA & AFA. Male Applicants at OTA are exempted from this restriction, while Unmarried women, issueless widows, and divorcees can apply for OTA.
Education Qualification
The eligibility criteria are different for each post. The candidates are suggested to check the eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. The candidates who are in the final year/ semester are also eligible to apply for CDS Exam 2022 on a provisional basis.
- For Indian Military Academy (INA): The candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): The candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university or equivalent.
- For Air Force Academy (AFA): The candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university OR a degree from a recognized university with Physics & Mathematics as subjects.
- For Officers Training Academy (OTA): The candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
- For Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): The candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Physical Standards
- Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination (I) as per guidelines of UPSC.
- The candidate should be physically fit and free from any disability and disease.
- The candidate should maintain proper weight.
- The minimum height of male candidates should be 157.5 cms (157 cms for the Navy and 162.5 cms for Air Force).
- The minimum height acceptable for female candidates should be 152 cms.
- Gorkhas candidates belonging to hilly areas of North-East, Garhwali, and Kumaon are eligible for 5 cms relaxation in height.
- Those candidates belonging to Lakshadweep are eligible for 2 cms relaxation in height.
Note: The relaxation in height as stated above is not applicable for Navy and Air Force.
Conclusion
To appear for the CDS exam, the candidates must be eligible. The CDS eligibility criteria are available on the official website and was released with the official notification 2022.
Here in this post, we explained the eligibility criteria in detail for you!
All the best for your exams!
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