CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality

Edited By Sneha Vinod | Updated on Dec 11, 2024 10:36 PM IST | #CDS
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UPSC will mention the CDS 1 eligibility criteria 2025 in the official notification. The CDS 1 2025 notification is available for download at upsc.gov.in from December 11, 2024. The UPSC CDS 1 2025 eligibility criteria are based on age, educational qualification, nationality and a few other important aspects. Aspirants wanting to appear for the CDS exam should be between the age group of 20 to 25 years.

This Story also Contains
  1. CDS 1 Eligibility Criteria - Overview
  2. CDS 1 Eligibility Criteria 2025- As Per UPSC Guidelines
  3. CDS 1 2025- Nationality
  4. CDS 1 Age Limit 2025
  5. CDS Educational Qualification 2025
  6. CDS Application Form 2025
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality

Candidates must read the CDS 1 eligibility criteria 2025 carefully before proceeding to fill the CDS application form online. To know more about the eligibility criteria of CDS 2025, read the entire article.

CDS 1 Eligibility Criteria - Overview

Candidates can check the some basic details about the UPSC CDS exam from the below table.

Exam name

Combined Defence Services Examination

Conducting Body

Union Public Service Commission

Frequency of exam

Twice a year

Nationality

Indian

CDS age limit

Between 19 to 24 years

Educational Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university

Mode of exam

Online

CDS 1 Eligibility Criteria 2025- As Per UPSC Guidelines

Candidates applying for the Combined Defence Services examination should go through the UPSC CDS exam eligibility guidelines before proceeding to fill the CDS 1 2025 application form. Below mentioned are some of the CDS 1 eligibility 2025.

CDS 1 2025- Nationality

Candidates applying for the CDS examination must fall in one of the below-mentioned nationality categories to be eligible for CDS 1. Check the table below.

CDS nationality eligibility criteria

Particulars

Citizen of India

Subject of Bhutan

Subject of Nepal

Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1962, with the intention to permanently settle in India

Person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka & East African Countries with the intention to permanently settle in India.

Note - For more detailed information on the CDS 2025 eligibility check the official notification.

CDS 1 Age Limit 2025

The CDS age limit eligibility criteria of all aspirants for various courses are mentioned in the table below. There is no CDS age limit relaxation for reserved category candidates in the CDS examination 2025.

CDS age limit criteria for candidates

CDS Courses

CDS Age Limit

Marital Status

Indian Military Academy

19 to 24 years

Unmarried

Indian Naval Academy

19 to 24 years

Unmarried

Air Force Academy

20 to 24 years

Unmarried

Officers' Training Academy (Men)

19 to 25 years

Unmarried & Married

Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical)

19 to 25 years

Unmarried, Widow & Divorcee

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CDS Educational Qualification 2025

CDS recruitment is done for various courses in the three Indian Defence Services - Army, Air Force and Navy, which have different minimum educational qualification requirements. Educational requirements for all the different CDS courses are mentioned in the table.

CDS educational qualification

Courses

CDS Educational Qualification

Indian Military Academy

Bachelor's Degree (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BBA, BCA, B.Tech etc.) from a recognised University or equivalent institute

Indian Naval Academy

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/ College

Air Force Academy

Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor degree in engineering

OTA (Men)

Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute

OTA (Women - Non-Technical)

Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or equivalent institute

CDS 2025 - Physical Fitness

Candidates applying for CDS should be physically fit in all aspects as prescribed by the three defence departments i.e. Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Below given are a few points for the physical standards required for the CDS exam.

  1. Applicants must be physically fit as per the prescribed physical standard of UPSC and the relevant defence department.

  2. Applicants must be in good physical and sound mental health and free from any disease/ disability that can interfere in the performance of their duties.

  3. There should be no evidence of bodily defects or overweight.

  4. The minimum height requirement for male applicants is 157.5 cm. for Army, 157 cm for Navy and 162.5 cm for Air Force.

  5. The minimum height of female candidates should be 152 cm for OTA (non-technical).

  6. For candidates belonging to Gorkhas and hills of the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwali and Kumaon, 5 cm height relaxation is provided in the minimum acceptable height. In the case of applicants from Lakshadweep, 2 cm relaxation is provided.

  7. Applicants should have a sufficient number of natural teeth. A minimum of 14 dental points will be acceptable for CDS recruitment. If all 32 teeth are present, the total dental points are 22.

  8. Check the vision standard for all the defence services in the tables below:

CDS visual standard for Air Force

Male

Female

Vision (corrected) better eye 6/6 and worse eye 6/12

Vision (corrected) better eye 6/6, worse eye 6/12

Myopia of not more than minus 3.5 D

Myopia of not more than minus 5.5 D

Manifest hypermetropia of not more than plus 3.5 D including Astigmatism

Manifest hypermetropia of not more than plus 3.5 D including Astigmatism.

Check Here List of Other Government Exams


CDS visual standard for Navy

Uncorrected without glass - 6/12

Corrected with glass - 6/6

Limits of Myopia - 1.5

Limits of Hypermetropia +1.5

Note: For more detailed information on the CDS eligibility criteria 2025, check the CDS 2025 official notification.

Check the eligibility criteria for other exams conducted by UPSC

CDS Application Form 2025

The Union Public Service Commission has released the CDS 1 application form 2025 on December 11, 2024 at the official website. Aspirants who meet the CDS 2025 eligibility criteria will be eligible to fill the CDS application form till December 31, 2024. To apply for the CDS 1 2025 examination, candidates first need to complete the One Time Registration (OTR) themselves and then fill out the CDS exam form. To successfully complete the CDS application process, candidates must pay a fee of Rs 200 if belonging to the general category and NIL if they are from the reserved category and female.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the minimum age limit required to appear for the CDS exam 2025?

The minimum CDS 1 2025 age limit required to appear for the CDS exam is 20 years.

2. Are girls eligible to appear for the CDS exam?

Yes, girls are eligible to appear for the CDS examination 2025.

3. Is there any relaxation in the age criteria for reserved category applicants in the CDS exam?

No, there is no CDS age limit 2025 relaxation in the CDS exam for any category.

4. Is there any physical test for CDS 2025?

Yes, UPSC will conduct the physical test for CDS 2025.

5. What is the academic qualification required to apply for CDS 1 2025?

Aspirants must have completed their graduation to be eligible for CDS 1 exam 2025.

6. Where will the CDS 1 2025 notification be released?

The CDS 2 notification 2025 is released in their official website, upsc.gov.in in the form of pdf on December 11, 2024.

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Questions related to CDS

Have a question related to CDS ?

Hello Swastika,

Yes, as a student of a 5-year integrated law course , you can be eligible for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam at the end of your 4th year , provided you meet the following criteria:

  1. Educational Qualification : For the Indian Army wing, you must have completed your graduation or be in the final year of your degree course. Since you are pursuing a 5-year integrated law course, you will be eligible to apply once you have completed the 4th year (which would make you eligible for the CDS exam, as per the graduation requirement).

  2. Age Limit : Ensure that you meet the age criteria for the CDS exam. For the Indian Army wing, the age limit is typically 19 to 24 years .

  3. SSB Interview : If you qualify for the CDS written exam , you will be called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. Your eligibility for the SSB will depend on successfully clearing the written exam and meeting the medical fitness and other criteria.

Since you are pursuing a law degree, you can appear for the Indian Army wing of the CDS exam. Make sure you meet the age and qualification requirements by the time you appear for the exam.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


Hello aspirant,

The CDS 1 & 2 exam 2025 notification dates have already been released by the authority. Applications for CDS 1 2025 must be submitted by December 31, 2024. The date of the 2025 CDS 1 exam is April 13, 2025.
On December 11, 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) published the notification for NDA 1 2025. From December 11 until December 31, 2024, NDA 1 application form 2025 will be accessible. On April 13, 2025, the NDA 1 2025 written test will take place.
Both the exams will be conducted on April 13, 2025.

Thank you

Hope it helps you

Hi,

Yes, you can join the Indian Navy through the CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam with a B.Sc. in Nautical Science (B.Sc. NM). The CDS exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC ) twice a year for recruitment into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. find the eligibility criteria for  CDS exam

Eligibility Criteria for Joining the Indian Navy via CDS:

Educational Qualification:

For the Indian Navy, you must have a B.Sc. in Nautical Science (B.Sc. NM) or any other relevant qualification.The typical qualification for the Indian Navy (Naval Academy) is a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, or a relevant field. B.Sc. NM fits this requirement.

Age Limit:

The age limit for the Indian Naval Academy (INA) through CDS is usually 19 to 22 years. However, please verify the current age criteria when applying

Nationality:

You must be an I ndian citizen or meet specific conditions or have migrated from specific countries

Physical and Medical Standards:

You need to meet the physical fitness standards set by the Indian Navy, which typically includes height, weight, eyesight, and overall health

Hello aspirant,

When applying to the Officers Training Academy, SSC Women enrolled in non-technical courses must be at least 25 years old to sit for the CDS exam.
Applicants must have finished their degree program or be taking the final test in order to sit for the CDS exam.
So if you fulfill this eligibility criteria, then you are eligible for CDS exam 2027.

Thank you

No, completing your college through dummy or non-regular means will not necessarily result in a negative impression during your SSB interview or screening process.

The SSB (Service Selection Board) assesses candidates based on various qualities such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and personality. While the mode of completing your college education may be considered, it is not the sole determining factor.

Here are some important points to keep in mind:

  • Focus on the Fundamentals: Ensure you have a strong understanding of the core subjects related to your degree. The SSB assesses your knowledge and problem-solving skills, not just the mode of study.
  • Extracurricular Activities: Highlight any extracurricular activities, internships, or projects you've undertaken during your college years. These can demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and initiative.
  • Confidence and Communication: Project confidence and effective communication skills during the SSB process. Your ability to express yourself clearly and confidently is crucial.
  • Honesty and Integrity: Be honest about your educational background and any relevant experiences. The SSB values integrity and transparency.

While completing your college through dummy or non-regular means may raise questions, it is not an automatic disqualification. If you can demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and potential, you can still successfully clear the SSB and be considered for selection.

It's important to focus on developing the qualities and skills that are valued by the SSB. By showcasing your abilities and potential, you can overcome any initial concerns related to your mode of education.

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