Best Books for CDS 2024 - Check CDS Exam Best Books here

Choosing the best CDS coaching in Lucknow really depends on what kind of learning environment you’re looking for. Some students prefer centres with strict discipline and regular mock tests, while others focus more on experienced faculty or smaller batch sizes. From what I’ve observed and heard from fellow aspirants, Shield Defence Academy is one of the institutes worth considering—they maintain consistent classes, focus on basics, and their test series is fairly well-structured.

Hello aspirant,

No, after tenth grade, you are not eligible to take the CDS exam.  Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in order to sit for the CDS exam.  It is intended for people who are in their last year of graduation or who have finished their college education.  You must finish your 12th grade before you can graduate if you recently passed the 10th.  You can then apply for the CDS exam to become an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.

Thank you

Hey! Since your date of birth is 07 Nov 2006 and you will complete graduation in 2029, here’s how many chances you’ll get for CDS (INA, IMA, AFA) and AFCAT:

For CDS exams, the age limit is usually 19–24 years.

For AFCAT, Flying Branch requires 20–24 years and Ground Duty goes up to 26 years.

By 2029, you will be around 22–23 years old, so you’ll be perfectly eligible at that time. Since CDS requires a graduate degree, you can only start applying after 2029 once you finish graduation. From that year onwards, you’ll have around 2–3 years window where you can appear for CDS (IMA, INA, AFA) as well as AFCAT.

Dear Candidate,

You are eligible for CDS 2026, but for IMA, INA and AFA post, you must be born between 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008.

For OTA ( male and female ), all 2003 born candidates are eligible.

Hi dear candidate,

The age limit for various roles in CDS are:

1) IMA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.

2) INA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.

3) OTA: 19 TO 25 years of age, 10 to 11 attempts.

This is all considering your DOB as of 26 Oct, 2005 as you are 19 years old in Aug 2025.

Know more at:

CDS Exam Dates 2025 (Out) - Check UPSC CDS 2 Complete Exam Schedule

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, DV, Pay Scale

BEST OF LUCK