CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024: Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification & Physical Standards

CDS eligibility 2024 is specified by the UPSC along with the notification. The UPSC CDS eligibility criteria consist of nationality, age, educational qualification & physical standards. Candidates willing to fill out the CDS 1 form should be familiar with the eligibility that has been given here in great detail. 

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024

The UPSC releases the CDS eligibility criteria 2024 along with the notification on its website. The CDS 2024 application form will be active from 20th December to 9th January 2024. Hence, the candidates who are interested in joining the defence forces of India must check out the CDS 1 eligibility criteria that is given in detail on this page. 

The CDS is a defence exam which is held twice a year for the recruitment of candidates into the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), and Indian Air Force Academy (AFA). A large number of candidates apply each year for this exam making it one of the most competitive exams in India. Candidates must go through the details of the UPSC CDS eligibility which consists of fulfilling the age limit, educational qualification, etc. that has been described in this post.

CDS Age Limit 2024 

The CDS age limit plays a crucial role in examining whether a candidate can apply for the CDS 1 exam or not. The minimum age limit of the candidate to fil the CDS application form is 19 years. Check the CDS age limit 2024 as per the CDS course is given below.

CDS Eligibility 2024: Educational Qualification

The UPSC prescribed the CDS educational qualification for IMA, OTA, INA and AFA. Candidates who have graduated in any discipline can apply for IMA and OTA, however, there are exceptionals to apply for INA and AFA. Check the details about it in he table below. The educational qualification prescribed by UPSC for admission to various defence academies is given below.

Know about:

• CDS Salary
• CDS Syllabus

Can 12th Pass Apply for CDS Exam?

No, the candidates who have passed class 12th are not eligible to apply for the CDS exam. The candidates must only be a graduate from a recognised university. Those who are in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply for CDS exam, 

What is the Marital Status for CDS Exam 2024?

Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply for CDS exam 2024. However, there is aa relaxation for the candidates who are issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees in the Officers' Training Academy - (SSC Women Non-Technical Course). Check the CDS 1 exam marital status in the table below. 

Practice CDS Question Paper

CDS 1 Eligibility: Nationality

Candidates who apply for the CDS 1 exam 2024 should make sure that are an Indian citizens or any one of the following: 

- Citizen of India

- Subject of Bhutan

- Subject of Nepal

- Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1962, with the intention to permanently settle in India

- Person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka & East African Countries with the intention to permanently settle in India.

CDS Eligibility 2024: Physical Standards For Male & Female Candidates

Candidates who apply for CDS 2024 exam must ensure that they are mentally and physically fit as per the physical guidelines that are issued by the UPSC. Check the CDS physical fitness for UPSC CDS 1 exam below.  

- Candidates must be physically fit as per the prescribed physical standard of UPSC and the relevant defence department.

- Candidates must be in good physical and sound mental health. They must be free from any disease/ disability that can interfere with the performance of their duties.

- No evidence of bodily defects or overweight should be there.

- Dental points will be given to the candidates. A minimum of 14 dental points will be acceptable for CDS recruitment. If all 32 teeth are present, the total dental points are 22.

CDS Eligibility: Height and Weight for CDS Exam

Every candidate should make sure that he/she fulfils the height and weight for the CDS exam 2024. Given below are the height and weight requirements for the CDS exam. 

- The minimum height requirement for male candidates is 157.5 cm for Army, 157 cm for Navy and 162.5 cm for Air Force.

- The minimum height of female candidates should be 152 cm for OTA (non-technical).

- For the candidates belonging to Gorkhas and hills of the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwali and Kumaon, 5 cm height relaxation is provided in the minimum acceptable height. In the case of applicants from Lakshadweep, 2 cm relaxation is provided.

CDS Visual Standard for Air Force

UPSC has prescribed the visual standards for the CDS exam for Air Force. Candidates should have the following vision for to be able to join the CDS Air Force wing. 

CDS Visual Standard for Navy

UPSC has prescribed the visual standards for the Indian Navy wing. Check the visual standards for Indian Navy in the table below.