CDS Eligibility

To be eligible for the CDS exam, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Age Limit: Candidates must be at least 19 years old when applying for the CDS exam. The age limit for female candidates is generally the same as for male candidates, ranging from 19 to 25 years
2. Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a UGC-recognized university. Final-year students who are expected to complete their degree before the commencement of the respective academy's training can also apply
3. Nationality: Candidates must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee permanently settled in India
4. Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the specific physical fitness requirements, including height, weight, visual acuity, and overall physical health. The physical requirements for each of the three wings (OTA, INA, AFA) are detailed in the official CDS notification
5. Marital Status: There are no specific restrictions based on marital status for most academies under CDS. Both unmarried and married candidates may be eligible, subject to meeting the other eligibility criteria
6. Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of CDS exam attempts for candidates who have completed their graduation

It is essential to check the official CDS notification for any specific variations in eligibility criteria and to ensure that candidates meet all the requirements mentioned by the official body.

Different instutes have different rules on the marital status for the CDS exam. The criteria for the marital status for various defence institutes have been given below for the candidates:

• For Indian Military Academy: Unmarried 
• For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried 
• For Indian Air Force: Married and Unmarried

Note: The married candiddates must be equal to or above 25 years. However, during the training the candidates will not be provided with any married accommodation nor they can live out from the academy premises with the family.

• For  OTA Male: Umarried
• For OTA Female: Unmarried, Divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) and Widows who have not been remarried

Note: Male divorcee or widow will not be considered as unmarried for the purpose of admission in IMA/INA/AFA/OTA

Candidates in the final year of their graduation can also apply provided they do not have any backlog at the application. Also, they have to submit proof of passing the degree examination at the time of commencement of course. The minimum age required is 19 years. The maximum age allowed is 24 for IMA and INA, 23 for AFA, and 25 for OTA Aspirants must have completed their graduation to be eligible for CDS exam 2025. Indian and candidates who have settled in India permanently also can apply for CDS. Yes, final year graduate candidates can apply for CDS. However, they will be admitted to the exam provisionally. They need to produce certificates of having passed the relevant degree at the time of document verification.