CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025: Check CDS Age Limit, Qualification and Nationality

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) twice a year to recruit eligible candidates for various Indian defence academies. The CDS 1 2025 exam is scheduled for April 13, 2025, and aspirants must fulfil all the eligibility criteria to ensure their candidature.

In the article below we have provided a detailed breakdown of the UPSC CDS 1 2025 Eligibility Criteria, which covers nationality, age limits, educational qualifications, and physical standards for various academies, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).

CDS 1 2025 Eligibility Criteria Highlights 

CDS 1 eligibility criteria include the age limits, marital status and educational qualification in different academies. Unmarried candidates who have completed their graduation from a recognised university and have completed the age of 20 years are eligible to apply. Check the table below for the major overview of the UPSC CDS 1 eligibility criteria 2025.

CDS 2025 Educational Qualification

The educational qualification criteria vary as per the academy the candidate is applying to. Candidates who are in their final year of a degree and are yet to pass the examination can apply for the said vacancies but they will be required to submit proof of passing the degree examination at the time of commencement of the course. Check the course-wise required educational qualification below.

Indian Military Academy (IMA) & OTA: A degree from a recognised university or equivalent.

Indian Naval Academy (INA): A degree in engineering from a recognised university or institution.

Air Force Academy (AFA): A degree from a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering. 

Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of graduation/provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.

Also Check CDS 1  2025 Apply Online

CDS 2025 Age Limit

The CDS age limit is an important element for determining the eligibility of candidates applying for CDS 1.  The age limit varies for  IMA, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy. Check out the list below to learn about the academy-wise age limit.

Indian Military Academy (IMA)

Age Limit: Unmarried male candidates born between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2007.

Marital Status: Must be unmarried.

Indian Naval Academy (INA)

Age Limit: Unmarried male candidates born between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2007.

Marital Status: Must be unmarried.

Air Force Academy (AFA)

Age Limit: 20 to 24 years as of January 1, 2026, i.e., candidates born between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2006.

Upper Age Relaxation: Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) can apply until 26 years (born between January 2, 2000, and January 1, 2006).

Marital Status:

Below 25 years: Must be unmarried.

Above 25 years: Married candidates are allowed, but candidates cannot live with their spouse during training.

Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)

SSC Men (Non-Technical Course): Unmarried male candidates born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007.

SSC Women (Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried can apply if born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007.

Note: Male divorcees and widowers are not eligible for IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.

What is the Nationality for CDS? 

Candidates applying for CDS 1 2025 must be:

A citizen of India, or

A subject of Nepal, or

A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India.

Candidates falling under categories other than Indian citizens must provide a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India.