CDS Eligibility Criteria Made Simple: Who Can Apply & How?

 The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a gateway for aspirants who dream of serving the kingdom by using joining the Indian Armed Forces—namely, the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Conducted by using the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a 12 months, the CDS examination pursuits to recruit officers for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy . However, not each candidate can appear for the exam. There are precise eligibility criteria that aspirants need to meet to be taken into consideration for selection. These criteria span across dimensions like nationality, age, marital repute, academic qualification, and physical health.

CDS exam eligibility

This essay affords an in-intensity clarification of all the eligibility standards for the CDS examination to assist aspirants higher recognize whether they qualify to use.

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1. Nationality Criteria

The first and major requirement is nationality. A candidate need to belong to one of the following classes:

A citizen of India, or

A subject of Bhutan, or

A situation of Nepal, or

However, applicants belonging to classes 2 to 5 above have to be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by using the Government of India. 

2. Age Limits, Sex, and Marital Status

The age restriction varies depending on the navy academy the candidate desires to enroll in:

a. Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun

Age Limit: 19 to 24 years.

Sex: Only unmarried male applicants are eligible.

Marital Status: Must be single on the time of commencement of the route.

B. Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala

Age Limit: 19 to 24 years.

Sex: Only unmarried male candidates are eligible.

Marital Status: Must be single.

C. Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad

Age Limit: 20 to 24 years as on 1st January or 1st July (of the year following the examination). Candidates conserving a valid and modern Commercial Pilot Licence issued with the aid of DGCA (India) can get age relaxation up to 26 years.

Sex: Only single male candidates are eligible.

Marital Status: Candidates have to be single. Marriage for the duration of training isn't permitted and could result in disqualification.

D. Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC Men

Age Limit: 19 to 25 years.

Sex: Unmarried male candidates.

Marital Status: Must continue to be single throughout training.

E. Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – SSC Women (Non-Technical)

Age Limit: 19 to 25 years.

Marital Status: Same as above; have to remain unmarried throughout education.

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Three. Educational Qualification

The academic qualification varies for every academy and ought to be completed before joining the respective path:

Qualification: A diploma from a diagnosed University or equal.

B. Indian Naval Academy (INA)

Qualification: A degree in Engineering from a diagnosed university/organization.

C. Air Force Academy (AFA)

Qualification:

A diploma from a identified college (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 degree), or

A Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Note: Final-year college students can practice, but they ought to produce evidence of passing the degree exam before the date precise inside the notification.

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Four. Physical Standards

Candidates need to meet the bodily requirements laid down by means of UPSC and the respective academies. Below are key factors:

a. General Physical Fitness

Candidates must be in exact physical and intellectual fitness and free from any disorder/incapacity that may intervene with the performance of navy obligations.

Permanent tattoos are permitted handiest on the inner face of the forearm. Tattoos on some other part of the body aren't suited.

The candidate must now not have a history of intellectual breakdown or fits.

B. Height and Weight Standards

Male applicants:

Female applicants:

Minimum top: 152 cm. Weight should additionally be proportionate.

Certain relaxations observe to applicants from hill and tribal regions.

C. Vision Standards

For the Air Force: Vision standards are strict. Candidates should have 6/6 imaginative and prescient (correctable with spectacles or contact lenses) and no coloration blindness or night time blindness. For other academies: Minor versions allowed. 

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Five. Additional Medical Guidelines

Candidates should now not have gone through main surgical procedure or have any medical situation like hernia, hydrocele, varicocele, or any chronic contamination.

Candidates have to now not have any history of substance abuse or addiction.

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6. Exam Attempts and Restrictions

There isn't any restriction at the quantity of attempts for the CDS exam, furnished candidates meet the age and academic qualifications standards. A candidate can observe a couple of times till he or she is not eligible because of age or other disqualifying elements.

7. Training and Final Selection

Candidates who qualify the written examination are referred to as for SSB Interview, which tests their persona, intelligence, and suitability for a career within the defence forces. Once decided on, they undergo rigorous schooling at the respective academies. Candidates need to stay single during the complete schooling length; failure to comply results in disqualification.