CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualification, Nationality & Academy-Wise Requirements
The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 are defined by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the official notification. Every candidate who wishes to appear for the Combined Defence Services Examination must fulfil all eligibility parameters — nationality, age, educational qualification, gender, and marital status — before submitting the application form. Failure to meet any one criterion leads to rejection of candidature at any stage of the recruitment process, even after selection.
This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of the CDS eligibility criteria 2026 for all four academies: IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Summary Table
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Nationality |
Indian / Nepali / Bhutanese / Tibetan refugees / Persons of Indian Origin from specified countries |
|
Age Limit |
19–25 years (varies by academy) |
|
Educational Qualification |
Graduation (varies by academy) |
|
Gender |
Male for IMA, INA, AFA; Male & Female for OTA |
|
Marital Status |
Unmarried (below 25); Conditions apply above 25 |
|
Application Fee |
₹200 (General/OBC); NIL (Female/SC/ST/PwBD) |
CDS Nationality Criteria 2026
To apply for CDS 2026, a candidate must be one of the following:
|
Category |
Condition |
|
Indian Citizen |
Born in India |
|
Subject of Nepal |
Gorkha subjects of Nepal (no certificate required) |
|
Subject of Bhutan |
With valid Government certificate |
|
Tibetan Refugee |
Arrived in India before 01 January 1962 with intention to permanently settle |
|
Person of Indian Origin |
Migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zaire, Zambia, Ethiopia) or Vietnam to permanently settle in India |
Important: Candidates under categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 must produce a Government of India eligibility certificate. Gorkha subjects of Nepal are exempt from this requirement.
CDS Educational Qualification 2026 – Academy-Wise
Educational qualifications differ significantly across the four academies. Aspirants must ensure they hold (or are completing) the right degree for their chosen academy.
|
Academy |
Required Qualification |
Additional Requirement |
|
Indian Military Academy (IMA) |
Degree from a recognised university |
Any stream |
|
Officers' Training Academy (OTA) |
Degree from a recognised university |
Any stream; Open to men and women |
|
Indian Naval Academy (INA) |
B.E. / B.Tech degree |
Engineering or equivalent technical degree |
|
Air Force Academy (AFA) |
Degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level, OR a B.E./B.Tech degree |
Must have Physics & Maths at Class 12 |
Note for Final Year Students:
-
Final year degree students may apply provisionally.
-
They must not have any active backlog up to the last semester/year.
-
They must submit proof of passing the degree at the time of commencement of the course/SSB interview.
-
If they fail to produce the degree certificate, their candidature will be cancelled.
CDS Eligibility for OTA, IMA, INA & AFA – Gender & Marital Status
|
Academy |
Eligible Gender |
Marital Status Requirement |
|
IMA |
Male only |
Unmarried |
|
INA |
Male only |
Unmarried |
|
AFA |
Male only |
Unmarried (below 25 yrs); condition applicable above 25 |
|
OTA (Men's Course) |
Male |
Unmarried |
|
OTA (Women's Course) |
Female |
Unmarried / Widow without children / Divorcee without children and not remarried |
Note: Male divorcees are not considered unmarried and are therefore not eligible for the CDS examination.
CDS Physical Standards 2026
Physical fitness is a mandatory part of CDS eligibility. While detailed physical standards are set by the respective defence services, general requirements include:
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Overall Health |
Good physical and mental health; free from disease or disability |
|
Vision |
Specific visual acuity standards set by Army/Navy/Air Force |
|
Height & Weight |
Proportionate to age as per defence norms |
|
Medical Fitness |
No chronic illness, deformities, or disabilities that affect service duties |
Physical examination is conducted during the SSB (Services Selection Board) stage, not the written exam stage.
CDS Eligibility Criteria – Important Points
|
Rule |
Detail |
|
Percentage Requirement |
No minimum percentage required; degree sufficiency is enough |
|
Computer Science for INA |
Eligible — any engineering/technical degree accepted |
|
Commerce/Arts for AFA |
Not eligible unless Physics & Maths were at 10+2 level |
|
Multiple Academy Application |
Candidates can apply for multiple academies in one form |
|
Document Verification |
Conducted after personality test/SSB; valid originals required |
|
Change of Date of Birth |
Not permitted at any stage of recruitment |
Steps to Verify Your CDS Eligibility 2026
-
Confirm your nationality and citizenship documentation.
-
Check the academy-specific age bracket against your date of birth.
-
Verify your educational qualification matches the academy requirements.
-
Confirm your gender and marital status align with the academy you are applying for.
-
Ensure no backlog exists if you are a final-year student.
-
Register through One Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSC portal before applying.
Carefully reading the official UPSC notification is essential before filling the application form. Any discrepancy discovered after selection can lead to termination from service. For complete and authoritative eligibility details, always refer to the official UPSC notification at upsc.gov.in.
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