CDS

The UPSC will release the CDS 2026 admit card at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 exam is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026 and CDS 2 on September 13. 

The CDS 2026 exam dates were released by the authority. In the last month of the preparation, candidates should focus more on revision of all the important topics. Give test regulary. Revise and update yourself with current affairs. Maintain physical and mental health. Take proper sleep. Revise and practice previous year question papers. Also, focus on time management, etc.

The eligibility criteria for CDS exam is you must have to be graduate in any stream or in last year of graduation. Aspirants should study about General knowledge, English and Maths and try to improve their confidence and communication skills. The interview process known as SSB will take 5 days.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination as two annual sessions. The CDS examination application fee amounts to INR 200 for General and OBC male applicants yet female candidates along with SC and ST candidates are never required to pay any fee.

     Female/SC/ST - free;

     Gerenal/OBC (MALE)- INR 200;

Males with Nursing degrees can submit applications for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam as Short Service Commission (SSC) Military Nursing Service applicants. Candidates seeking enrollment in the CDS exam need to possess an academic Nursing degree from an accredited institution along with being between 19-24 years of age. General or OBC candidates need to pay INR 200 for their CDS exam application. However, SC/ST applicants do not require payment of any fee. Twice annually the examination takes place before aspirants progress to written exams which are followed by SSB interviews along with medical examinations.

According to your documents, at 23 years and 5 months old, you meet the age criteria for both the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA) through the CDS2 examination.the official age limits are 

IMA: Unmarried male candidates born between July 2,2001, and July 1,2006.

OTA: Unmarried male candidates born between July 2,2000, and July 1,2006.

Since eligibity is based on date of birth mentioned on the documents, age 22 years doesn't affect your application.

CDS 1 2025 application form correction window was closed. The authority extended the last date to apply for the CDS 1 2025. The last date to apply for CDS 1 2025 was January 1, 2025.

Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam but not for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam. 
Eligibility:
NDA: It is also available for those who have successfully completed their Class 12 education. However, in this case, you would not be eligible because the age limit for NDA ranges between 16.5 to 19.5 years and you are above that.
CDS: Candidates must have graduated or be in the final year of their graduation. CDS age limit is 19 to 25 years. So, you are eligible for this exam considering your age and educational qualification.

Any OBC girl is free to apply for the CDS-I examination under reservation benefits extended by the government.

The eligibility of OBCs, including girls, is similar to that of general categories regarding age and educational qualifications. However, here his age limit has been relaxed and certain seats earmarked for OBC candidates.

check the latest notification from the CDS exam regarding any change in criteria. In this way, OBC girls would be eligible to take this exam as long as they fit the educational and age qualifications and the corresponding reservation can be claimed.