CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024, Check Age Limit & Educational Qualification

CDS Eligibility Criteria

The Union Public Service Commission has released the eligibility criteria for CDS 1 2024 when they announce the CDS Notification 2024 on their official website. To apply for the CDS exam, candidates need to meet certain requirements, including nationality, education, age, marital status, and physical fitness. According to the criteria, only unmarried individuals aged between 19 and 25 years are allowed to participate in the CDS 2024 exam.

For the CDS Exam 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services examination twice a year, in April and September. This exam is a way to recruit candidates for the Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. Candidates go through a written test and an interview to determine if they are eligible for further rounds.

Candidates who qualify for the interview stage are assigned to the appropriate academies based on merit and preference. The UPSC has set specific eligibility criteria for CDS 2024, and it’s important for interested applicants to read the article to understand the age limits and requirements for nationality, education, age, marital status, and physical standards in the CDS Exam.

UPSC CDS 1 2024 Notification is OUT now, refer this link to know the details about the exam and stay updated by visiting the website.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024

Candidates must note the following points concerning the UPSC CDS Eligibility:

1. The Union Public Service Commission has the right to reject the candidature of any applicant at any stage of the selection process if they do not fulfil the required eligibility criteria.

2. If a candidate is selected and found ineligible later, the UPSC  will remove them from service.
3. UPSC does verification of the eligibility criteria with original documents. A candidate is called for the interview and Personality Test after they pass the document verification process.
4. A candidate whose certificate of eligibility is necessary may be allowed to take the exam, but the offer for admission to the Academy will be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate is issued to them by the Government of India.

UPSC CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024

Candidates must fulfill these five UPSC CDS eligibility conditions to fill the application form for the UPSC CDS examination:

• Nationality 
• Age Limit, Gender, and Marital Status
• Educational Qualification
• Physical Qualification
• Medical Qualification

The detailed information of the eligibility criteria is given below:

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 – Nationality

To be eligible for the UPSC CDS examination, candidates must meet the criteria for nationality and citizenship.

Aspirants willing to apply for the CDS exam must be –

1. A citizen of India, or
2. A subject of Nepal, or
3. A subject of Bhutan, or
4. A Tibetan refugee who is permanently settled in India from and before 1st January 1962.
5. A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, East African countries of Uganda, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zaire, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam to settle in India permanently.

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 possesses a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India and presents the same to the recruiting body. The Certificate of eligibility will not be necessary in the case of candidates who are Gorkhas of Nepal.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 – Age, Gender, and Marital Status:

The age criteria for joining different academies are as follows:

• For IMA (Indian Military Academy), candidates should be between 19(1^st January 2006) and 24(2^nd January 2001) years old, and only unmarried males are eligible.
• For INA (Indian Naval Academy), the age range is 19(1^st January 2006) to 24(2^nd January 2001) years, and only unmarried males can apply.
• For AFA (Air Force Academy), the age limit is 20(1^st January 2005) to 24(2^nd January 2001)years. However, candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) can apply up to 26 years.
• Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried. Marriage is not allowed during the training period.
• Married candidates above 25 years can apply, but during training, they won’t get married accommodation, and they can’t live with family off the premises.
• For OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) (SSC Women Non-Technical Course), unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees (with divorce documents) who haven’t remarried are eligible.
• For OTA (Officers’ Training Academy) (SSC Course for Men), only unmarried males can apply.
• Widowers/divorcees are not considered unmarried males for admission in IMA/INA/AFA/OTA and are not eligible to apply.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 – Age Limit and Marital Status

Academy	Age Limit	Marital Status
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	19-24 Years	Unmarried
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	19-22 Years	Unmarried
Air Force Academy	19-23 Years	<25 years unmarried or >25 years both married and unmarried.
Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course)	19-25 Years	Unmarried females, issueless widows who haven’t remarried, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible.
Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men)	19-25 Years	Unmarried

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 – Educational Qualification

The Union Public Service Commission sets the minimum qualification a candidate must have to apply for the examination. The minimum qualification required to appear for the CDS examination is Graduation from a recognized university. The details are given below:

Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)	Bachelor’s Degree From a recognized university
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	Bachelors in Engineering from a recognized University
Air Force Academy (AFA)	Graduation (with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12) or Bachelor of Engineering

Important Note –

1. Graduates with the first choice as Army, Navy, or Air Force are to submit proof of Graduation or provisional certificates on the date of commencement of the SSB Interview at the SSB.
2. Candidates who are studying in the final year or final semester of a degree course should submit the original passing certificate issued by the university during the SSB- interview. The date of issue of the certificate must be before the specified date declared by the commission.
3.  Candidates debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any type of commission in the Defence Services are eligible to apply for the examination.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 – Physical and mental standards

The candidates should be mentally and physically fit as per the guidelines of the Union Public Service Commission. A good number of qualified candidates get disqualified on medical grounds. So, the candidates are strongly advised to get their medical examination done before applying for the CDS examination.

Common issues found are:

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

Permanent body tattoos on the face or any part of the body are not approved of. If found, candidates will be barred from further selection. Tribes with tattoo marks on the body or face per existing traditions and customs will be permitted on a case-to-case basis.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Male in Army and Navy

CDS Age-wise Height and Weight
Height in Centimetres (Without Shoes)	Weight (Kgs)
18 years	20 years	22 years	24 years
152	44*	46	47	48
155	46	48**	49	50
157	47	49	50	51
160	48	50	51	52
162	50	52	51	54
165	52	53	55	56
168	53	55	57	58
170	55	57	58	59
173	57	59	60	61
175	59	61	62	62
178	61	62	63	64
180	63	64	65	66
183	65	67	67	68
185	67	69	70	71
188	70	71	72	74
190	72	73	74	76
193	74	76	77	78
195	77	78	79	81

CDS Physical Eligibility for Male Candidates in the Air Force 

Height (mm)	Weight (Kgs)
15- 17 years	18-22 years	23-27 years	28-32 years	33-37 years	38-42 years	43-47 years	>48 years
1520	46	47	50	54	54	54	55	54
1530	47	47	51	55	55	54	56	54
1540	47	48	51	56	55	55	57	55
1550	48	49	52	56	56	56	57	56
1560	48	49	53	57	57	56	58	56
1570	49	50	54	58	58	57	58	57
1580	49	50	54	58	58	58	59	58
1590	50	51	55	59	59	59	60	58
1600	51	52	56	59	60	59	60	59
1610	51	52	56	60	60	60	61	60
1620	52	53	57	61	61	61	62	60
1630	52	54	58	61	62	61	62	61
1640	53	54	59	62	63	62	63	62
1650	53	55	59	63	63	63	64	62
1660	54	56	60	63	64	64	64	63
1670	54	56	61	64	65	64	65	64
1680	55	57	61	65	65	65	65	65
1690	55	57	62	65	66	66	66	65
1700	56	58	63	66	67	67	67	66
1710	56	59	64	66	68	67	67	67
1720	57	59	64	67	68	66	68	67
1730	58	60	65	68	69	69	69	68
1740	58	61	66	68	70	69	69	69
1750	59	61	66	69	71	70	70	69
1760	59	62	67	70	71	71	71	70
1770	60	62	68	70	72	72	71	71
1780	60	63	69	71	73	72	72	71
1790	61	64	69	72	73	73	73	72
1800	61	64	70	72	74	74	73	73
1810	62	65	71	73	75	75	74	73
1820	62	66	72	74	76	75	74	74
1830	63	66	72	74	76	76	75	75
1840	64	67	73	75	77	77	76	75
1850	64	68	74	75	78	77	76	76
1860	65	68	74	76	78	78	77	77
1870	65	69	75	77	79	79	78	77
1880	66	69	76	77	80	80	78	78
1890	66	70	77	78	81	80	79	79
1900	67	71	77	79	81	81	80	79
1910	67	71	78	79	82	82	80	80
1920	68	72	79	80	83	82	81	81
1930	68	73	79	81	83	83	–	–

CDS Physical Eligibility for Female Candidates – Height & Weight Standards

Height in Centimetres (Without shoes)	Weights (Kgs)
18 years	20 years	30 years
148	39	41	43
150	40	42	43.5
153	42	43.5	45
155	43	44	46
158	45	46	48
160	46	47	49
163	47	48	51
165	49	51	53
168	50	52	54

Important Details

• The minimum height to qualify for male candidates is 157.5 cm. (162.5 cm for Air Force and 157 cm for Navy)
• For Women candidates, the minimum height to qualify is 152 cm.
• For candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum height to qualify can be reduced by 2 cm. 

• For Gorkhas and individuals from the hills of the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwali, and Kumaon, the Minimum height to qualify is 152 cm.
• The minimum height for all entries is 148 cm after all types of relaxations.

The UPSC CDS Eligibility for medical and physical standards covers height & weight for different age groups, the vision standards for Naval officers, the hip-waist ratio, body mass index, and others. So, candidates are advised to read the official notifications carefully to clarify various aspects of UPSC CDS Eligibility.

General standards for the Body

1. The Body Mass Index (BMI) should be below 25.
2. All biochemical metabolic parameters must be within the normal limits
3. The waist-hip ratio must be below 0.9 for male candidates and below 0.8 for female candidates.
4. Waist Circumference must be less than 90 cm for male candidates and 80 cm for female candidates. 

UPSC CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 – Other Physical Standards 

Besides the height and weight ratio, there are various other physical standards to be met for a candidate to be eligible for UPSC CDS.

Visual Standards: 

The commission has specified three visual standards for all the academies: 

For IMA and OTA

Male	Female
Vision (corrected) better eye 6/6 and worse eye 6/12	Vision(corrected) better eye 6/6, worse eye 6/12
Myopia of not more than minus 3.5 D	Myopia of not more than minus 5.5 D
Manifest hypermetropia should be less than plus 3.5 D, including Astigmatism.	Manifest hypermetropia should be less than plus 3.5 D, including Astigmatism.

• Uncorrected vision(maximum allowed) – 6/6 and 6/6
• BCVA – Right 6/6 and Left 6/6
• Myopia – < -3.50 D Sph ( including maximum astigmatism ≤ /- 2.0 D Cyl) 
• Hypermetropia – < 3.50 dSph ( including maximum astigmatism ≤ /- 2.0 D Cyl) 
• Lasiksurgery – Permitted
• Colour perception: CP II 

 For Naval Candidates:

• Uncorrected (without glasses): 6/12, 6/12 
• Corrected (with glasses): 6/6, 6/6 
• Limit of Hypermetropia : 1.5D 
• Limit of Myopia: -1.5D
• Limit of Colour Perception: I
• Binocular Vision: III 

For Air Force Candidates:

Candidates who habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for Air Force. Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other correctable to 6/6 only.

Hypermetrical Colour-Vision CP 1:

• Manifest Myopia: Nil
• Hypermetropia: 2.0 d Sph   
• Astigmatism : 0.75 D Cyl (with 2.0 D- Max)
• Retinoscopic Myopia: –0.5 in any meridian

Maddox Rod Test:

 At 6 meters:

• Eso-6 prism D
• Exo-6 prism D
•  Hypo-1prism D 
• Hyper-1 prism D

 At 33 cm:

• Eso-6 prism D 
• Exo-16 prism D 
• Hypo-1 prism D
• Hyper-1 prism D

Lasik/Equivalent Surgery

Candidates who have undergone kerato-refractive procedures must show operative notes or certificates from the medical center specifying the type of surgery, date, and procedure. The candidates must meet the following additional criteria to be considered fit: 

• Age more than 20 years at the time of surgery.
• Minimum 12 months post the LASIK
• The axial length by IOL Master is equal to or less than 26 mm
• Central corneal thickness equal to or more than 450 µ  
• Residual refraction of less than or equal to /- 1.0 D incl cylinder.
• A normal healthy retina. 

Spinal Conditions for the Air Force

Past medical history of diseases or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints preventing the candidate from leading a normal life can cause rejection for commissioning in IAF. History of spinal fracture or prolapsed intervertebral disc and surgical treatment for these conditions will declare the candidate unfit. Following conditions detected in the medical examination will disqualify the candidate:

• The granulomatous disease of the spine
• Rheumatoid arthritis 
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteoarthrosis, spondylosis, and degenerative joint disease
• Non-articular rheumatism 
• Disorders including dermatomyositis, SLE, vasculitis, and polymyositis.
•  Spondylolisthesis/ spondylosis
• Compression- fracture of the vertebrae
• Scheuermann’s disease
• Loss of cervical lordosis.
•  Unilateral/ bilateral cervical ribs with circulatory or neurological deficit.

Hearing Standards for the Air Force

Conditions to be fulfilled for the ear and hearing standards are:

• Speech test: Reduction of > 600 cm in FW/CV is not acceptable. 
• Audiometric Test: Audiometric loss should not be < 20 dB in frequencies between 250 &8000 Hz. 
• A radical/modified radical mastoidectomy disqualifies a candidate even if a good hearing is preserved.
•  Cases of cortical mastoidectomy in the past with tympanic membrane intact, normal hearing, and having no evidence of the disease might be considered.
• Cases of chronic otitis externa accompanied by exostoses or unduly narrow meat will be disqualified.
• Tympanoplasty Type I is acceptable twelve weeks after surgery if the ear clearance test in the altitude chamber is normal. 

Following middle-ear conditions will entail rejection:- 

• Attic, marginal or central perforation. 
• Tympanoplasty Type II
• Tympanic membrane scar. 
• Calcareous plaques if occupying <1/3 of pars tensa. 
• Infection of the middle ear
• Stapedectomy operation. 
• Granulation/ polyp in external auditory-canal
• Meniere’s disease
• Otosclerosis 
• Bell’s palsy following an ear infection
• Vestibular dysfunction 

Physical Conditioning

The candidates are required to have a good physical condition by following the under mentioned routine:

• Running: 2 km to 4 km in 15 minutes
• Chin-ups: Minimum 8
• Push-ups and Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
• Skipping
• Rope Climbing: 3 to 4 meters

Chest Conditions

Tuberculosis (TB) or evidence of TB, lung lesions, heart, musculoskeletal lesions will declare the candidate unfit.

Abdomen and Genitor-urinary System Problems like Hernia, varicocele, undescended testis, organomegaly, horseshoe kidney, solitary kidney, cysts in the kidney, cysts in the liver, Gall bladder stones, ureteric and renal stones, deformities or lesions of urogenital organs, sinuses, piles, and lymphadenitis can disqualify a candidate on medical grounds.

Nervous System: 

• Tremors and speech impediments are not allowed.
• Imbalance, too, is not allowed.

Skin Problems: Vitiligo, warts, haemangiomas, corns, dermatitis, and skin infections, hyperhidrosis, and growth too will disqualify a candidate.

Dental Conditions

The following will be a cause for rejection of candidates:

• Significant jaw discrepancies between and lower and upper jaw hampering efficient speech or mastication.
• A mouth-opening of >30 mm measured at incisal edges
•  Dislocation of TMJ on wide opening.
• Incipient pathological conditions of the jaws.
• Symptomatic Temporo-Mandibular Joint having tenderness and clicking.
• All potentially cancerous conditions.
• Submucosa fibrosis with/ without the restriction of mouth opening.
• Poor oral health-periodontal pockets, visible calculus, and bleeding gums.
• More than two Loose teeth
• Cosmetic/ post-traumatic maxillofacial surgery will be considered unfit for a minimum of 6 months from the surgery date.
• If a malocclusion is hampering maintenance of good oral hygiene, general nutrition, and the performance of duties.

The following conditions, if detected on the X-ray exam, will disqualify a candidate’s entry to the Indian Naval Academy and Indian Military Academy:

1.    The granulomatous disease of the spine.

2.    Arthritis 

-Rheumatoid arthritis and associated disorders

-ankylosing spondylitis

3.    More than mild Kyphosis/ Lordosis.

4.    Scoliosis is more than 100 degrees as measured by Cobb’s method.

5.    Herniated nucleus pulposus.

6.    Spondylolisthesis, or Spondylosis, or Spondylolysis.

7.    Sacralisation Disease.

8.    Compression fracture of Vertebra.

9.    Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological and Circulatory deficit.

10.    Presence of Schmorl’s node at more than one level.

11.     Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial anomalies.

12.    Incomplete Sacralisation Unilateral or Bilateral.

13.    Spina Bifida is other than SV 1 and LV 5.

14.    Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist

General Guidelines of the Medical standards

To be declared as a medically fit person, a candidate must have perfect physical and mental health. They must be free from diseases or syndrome. The detailed guidelines of the Medical standards need to be eligible for the Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officer’s Training Academy are:

1. The candidate should be free of any medical condition that leads them to visit the medical facilities and use any aid or drugs.
2. There should be no proof of imperfect development of any system, congenital deformities, malformation, diseases, and syndromes. 
3. No swellings, including cysts, tumours, and swollen lymph nodes  
4.  No sinus or fistula issues.
5.  No hyper/ hypopigmentation or any other disease of the skin. 
6. No hernia.
7. No scars which can impair functioning and cause disfigurement.
8. No arteriovenous malformations.
9. No malformation of the face and head, including deformity, asymmetry, fractures, and depression of the bones of the skull.
10. No disease, disability, congenital anomaly, or syndrome of cartilages and bones of the nose, nasal polyps, or disease of the uvula, nasopharynx, and accessory sinuses. There should be 
11. No nasal deformity 
12. No features of chronic tonsillitis.
13.  No disease, syndrome, and disability of the throat and palate tonsils.
14. No disease or injury affecting the normal functioning of either mandibular joint. 
15. No disease, syndrome, and disability of the heart and blood vessels, including genetic, congenital, hypertension, and conduction disorders. 
16. No evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis or previous history of this disease.
17. No chronic disease of the lungs and chest, including allergies or immunological conditions, musculoskeletal deformities of the chest, and connective tissue disorders
18.  No disease of the digestive system.
19. No abnormality of the liver and pancreas 
20. No disease, syndrome, and disability of any endocrine system and reticuloendothelial system. 
21. No diseases of the genito-urinary system ( malformations, atrophy, and hypertrophy of any gland or organ) 
22. No active, latent or congenital venereal disease. 
23. No history or evidence of epilepsy, mental disease, enuresis, and incontinence of urine.
24. No deformity or disease of the musculoskeletal system and the joints.
25. No congenital and hereditary disease or disability.

The following ocular diseases will make a candidate unfit :

1. Ptosis.
2. Pterygium
3. Corneal Opacity.
4. Uveitis
5. Lenticular opacity.
6. Nystagmus
7. Entropion or Ectropion.
8. Night blindness
9. Squint.
10. Naso-Lacrimal occlusion
11. Retinal lesions.

The candidates must read the notification carefully. Also, get a medical check-up done beforehand to know if they can apply for the UPSC CDS examination. 

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024 – Conclusion

As the UPSC CDS exam date is getting closer, it’s important to focus on your preparation and revision. If you’ve been preparing well, continue with the same dedication.

Alongside your exam preparation, take care of your physical and mental well-being. Eat nutritious meals and engage in some suitable physical activities to keep yourself physically strong.

Allocate at least 15 to 20 minutes for meditation to stay calm and peaceful. Maintain a positive mindset. Your hard work and dedication will surely help you achieve your dream.

UPSC CDS Eligibility CRITERIA 2024 – Frequently Asked Questions