Uttarakhand Defence Academy CDS
- Indian Military Academy/ Indian Naval Academy/ Officers’ Training Academy - Male candidates should be unmarried, Air Force Academy- Their age should be between 20 to 24 years.
- Indian Military Academy(IMA)/ Officers’ Training Academy - The required educational qualification is Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Indian Naval Academy (INA) - Candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognized university.
- Air Force Academy - Candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognized university and subjects physics and maths in 12th std.
- CDS Exam Pattern 2024 : The CDS examination has 2 phases the CDS written test and the SSB Interview

Test Type | IMA, INA, and AFA | OTA |
---|---|---|
Written Test | English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics | English and General Knowledge |
Written Test Marks | 300 | 200 |
Interview Test | SSB Interview procedure for CDS 2024 has two stages: Stage I of the SSB Interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) and Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference. | |
Interview Test Marks | 300 | 200 |
Overview
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2024
CDS eligibility requires candidates aged 20 to 24 with a graduate degree. Additionally, you need to meet certain physical and medical standards specified by UPSC. The table gives an idea of the various criteria like age, educational qualification, nationality, marital status etc. that candidates need to fit in to be eligible for CDS exam.
CDS Eligibility Highlights | |
---|---|
Age | Varies from 20 to 25 years for different Forces |
Educational Qualification | Graduation Degree |
Nationality |
|
Number of Attempts | Till Age Permits |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Experience | Not Required |
Important Points |
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CDS II Eligibility 2024
Before applying for CDS recruitment, you must check the detailed CDS II eligibility criteria. The UPSC conducts the CDS exam twice annually to choose candidates for the position of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the CDS vacancy in 2024. To qualify for the exam, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Candidates must be permanently settled in India.
- Candidates must be a graduate or in their final year of graduation.
- The minimum age limit for the exam is 19 years.
- Candidates must be between 20-24 years old as of 1st January 2024.
- The maximum age limit for the exam varies based on the academy: 25 years for the Air Force Academy, 24 years for the Indian Military Academy, and 25 years for the Naval Academy.
- Female candidates are eligible for OTA.
- Candidates must be medically fit and meet certain physical standards, such as minimum height requirements.
- Candidates must be Indian citizens or meet certain nationality/citizenship criteria, which are listed in detail in the official notification.
CDS Eligibility 2024 for Female
Candidates must fulfill all the requirements mentioned by the official body, including CDS exam eligibility for female candidates. If any discrepancy is found in any of the eligibility conditions, the candidate will not be allowed to apply for the exam. Here is a table summarizing the CDS eligibility criteria for female candidates:
CDS Eligibility Criteria for Women | Details |
---|---|
Age Limit | Female candidates born later than 1st January 2005 and not earlier than 2nd January 1999. Male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 1999 and not later than 1st January, 2004 are eligible for IMA, INA, AFA. |
Educational Qualification | Minimum Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. |
Nationality | Must be a citizen of India or a subject of Bhutan or Nepal or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962. |
Marital Status | Only unmarried females, widows who have not remarried, and divorcees who have not remarried and possess divorce documents are eligible for OTA. Only unmarried male candidates are eligible for IMA, INA, AFA. |
Physical Standards | Minimum acceptable height for female candidates is 152 cms. |
CDS Eligibility - Nationality/Citizenship
In order to fit the CDS exam eligibility a candidate who can give the CDS exam must be either be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A refugee from Tibet who came over to India before the 01st January 1962 to set in India permanently, or
- Indian origins who have migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zaire, Zambia, and Ethiopia or Vietnam to settle permanently in India.
CDS Age Limit, Gender & Marital Status
The CDS age eligibility are different for male and female candidates. According to CDS norms, female candidates can only apply for OTA (non-technical). Male candidates can apply for any CDS examination post as long as they meet other eligibility conditions. The age limit for CDS exam eligibility is given in detail below.
Various Departments | Age Criteria in each case |
Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2006 only are eligible. |
Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2001 and not later than 1st January, 2006 only are eligible. |
Indian Air Force Academy (AFA) | 20 to 24 years as on 1st January, 2025 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd January, 2001 and not later than 1st January, 2005 |
Officers' Training Academy (OTA) (SSC course) | Candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2000 and not later than 1st January, 2006 only are eligible. |
Officers' Training Academy—(SSC Women Non-Technical Course) | Candidates born not earlier than 2nd January, 2000 and not later than 1st January, 2006. |
CDS Eligibility 2024 - Educational Qualification
Another critical aspect of CDS eligibility criteria is the education qualification necessary for a particular fore. Candidates pursuing the CDS 2024 exam must have finished their graduation or be taking the final exam for their degree. It is critical to remember that CDS admit cards are only provided to candidates who meet all of the eligibility requirements. Check the details given below to know what is CDS Exam Qualification Force-wise.
Armed Forces | CDS Education Qualification |
---|---|
IMA (Indian Military Academy) | Candidates should have a Graduation from a recognised University or equivalent. |
INA(Indian Naval Academy) | Candidates should have a degree in Engineering from a recognised University or Institution. |
AFA (Air Force Academy) | Candidates should have a degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering. |
OTA (Officer Training Academy) | Candidates should have a Graduation from a recognised University or equivalent. |
CDS Medical Eligibility
According to the UPCS rules, candidates must be physically and mentally fit. On medical grounds, a large number of qualified candidates are disqualified. As a result, candidates are highly urged to have a medical examination before applying for the CDS exam. Check out the table summarizing the medical eligibility criteria for CDS exam:
Medical CDS Eligibility Criteria | Details |
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Physical Standards | Candidates must meet the minimum physical standards set by the CDS, such as a minimum acceptable height of 152 cms for female candidates. |
Medical Fitness | Candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the medical standards set by the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). |
Visual and Hearing Standards | Candidates must meet visual and hearing standards set by UPSC. The standards might vary depending on the role candidates are applying for. |
Medical Examination | Candidates will undergo a medical examination conducted by the Armed Forces Medical Board (AFMB) to determine their medical fitness. Any candidate found to be medically unfit will not be allowed to continue with the recruitment process. |
It is important for candidates to meet the medical eligibility criteria along with other eligibility criteria before applying for the CDS exam. Below are some common medical defects are:
- Condition of Overweight / Underweight
- Under Sized Chest
- Piles
- Wax (Ears)
- Deviated Nasal Septum
- Tonsillitis
- Gynaecomastia
- Varicocele
- Hydrocele / Phimosis