CDS 2025 Eligibility Criteria is a very important part of the application process. Candidates must be well aware of the eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. The application form for CDS I 2025 has been released on December 11, 2024.
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The CDS exam is conducted for candidates who dream of joining the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), or the Officers Training Academy (OTA).
The Union Public Service Commission is responsible for conducting the prestigious CDS exam twice a year. In this article, candidates can get a complete update on CDS 2025 Eligibility.
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Read the information provided in this entire article to learn everything about CDS Eligibility criteria 2025 including age criteria, educational qualification, nationality, etc.
CDS 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates can check the eligibility criteria here before applying for CDS 2025. All the candidates who do not meet the CDS 2025 eligibility criteria their application forms will be rejected.
Nationality:
- Candidates appearing for CDS 2025 must be citizens of India OR
- Candidates who are a subject of Nepal or Bhutan are eligible to apply OR
- Candidates who are Tibetian refugees who came over to India before January 1, 1962, intending to permanently settle in India are also eligible to apply OR
- Also, the candidates of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India are eligible to apply.
Marital Status & Age Limit:
The age limit for different academies is different. Here’s the complete breakdown of all the academies’ age criteria and marital status:
Indian Military Academy (IMA):
- Marital Status: Candidates who want to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun must be Unmarried.
- Age Limit: For CDS I 2025, candidates who are born on or after January 2, 2002, and not later than January 1, 2007 are eligible. While for CDS II 2025, those born not earlier than July 2, 2002 and not later than July1, 2007 are eligible.
- Minimum Age: Candidates atleast should be 19 years old.
- Maximum Age: Candidates must not be older than 24 years old.
Indian Naval Academy (INA):
- Marital Status: Candidates aiming to join the Indian Naval Academy must be Unmarried.
- Age Limit: For CDS I 2025, candidates who are born on or after January 2, 2002, and not later than January 1, 2007 are eligible. While for CDS II 2025, those born not earlier than July 2, 2002 and not later than July1, 2007 are eligible.
- Minimum Age: Candidates atleast should be 19 years old.
- Maximum Age: Candidates must not be older than 24 years.
Air Force Academy (AFA):
- Marital Status: Candidates aiming to join the Air Force Academy (AFA) must be Unmarried.
- Age Limit: 20- 24 years as on 1st January, 2026. Candidates who are born on or after January 2, 2002, and not later than January 1, 2006, are eligible to apply for CDS I 2025.
For CDS II 2025, 20- 24 years as on 1st July, 2026. Candidates who are born on or after July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2006, are eligible to apply for CDS I 2025. - Upper age limit: Candidates who have a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) are relaxable up to 26 years, i.e., born not earlier than January 2, 2000, and not later than January 1, 2006.
- Minimum Age: Candidates should be atleast of 20 years old.
Officers Training Academy:
SSC Course for Men:
- Marital Status: Male candidates who will be joining the Officers Training Academy must be unmarried.
- Age Limit: Male candidates born on or after January 2, 2001, and not later than January 1, 2007, are eligible to apply.
- Minimum Age: Candidates should be atleast of 19 years old.
- Maximum Age: Candidates must not be older than 25 years old.
SSC Women Non-Technical Course:
- Marital Status: Female candidates who will be joining the Officers Training Academy must be Unmarried and issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried.
- Age Limit: Candidates who are born not earlier than January 2, 2001, and not later than January 1, 2007 are eligible to apply.
- Minimum Age: Female candidates should be atleast of 19 years old.
- Maximum Age: Female candidates must not be more than 25 years old.
Educational Qualification:
Check below educational qualifications for technical and non-technical posts:
For Technical Entries:
Air Force Academy (AFA):
- Candidates applying for the Air Force Academy (AFA) must hold a degree from a recognised university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level).
- Candidates with a Bachelor of Engineering degree are also eligible to apply.
Indian Naval Academy (INA):
- Candidates applying for Indian Naval Academy must hold a degree in Engineering from a recognised university/ institution.
- Candidates must possess an engineering degree to ensure that candidates have the technical knowledge required for various engineering roles in the Navy.
For Non-Technical Entries:
Indian Military Academy (IMA):
- Candidates applying for IMA must hold a degree from a recognised university/institution.
- Candidates must have completed their graduation in any discipline from a recognised university and there are no specific restrictions on the field of study.
- Candidates who are in their final year of graduation can apply.
Officers Training Academy (OTA):
- Candidates applying for OTA (Short Service Commission) must hold a degree from a recognised university or institution.
- Similar to IMA, Candidates applying for OTA must have completed their graduation in any discipline from a recognised university and there are no specific restrictions on the field of study.
- Candidates who are in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) short service commission course.
Physical Standards
The physical standards for CDS vary for each academy. All relevant information regarding the physical standards is available on the official website. Candidates can find details related to height, weight, and other physical standards depending on the academy on the official UPSC website.
We have shared all the information regarding the CDS 2025 eligibility criteria. Candidates can find information about nationality, educational qualifications, age, physical standards, and other related details in this article.
If you have a query related to the CDS 2025 Eligibility criteria, ask in the comment section below.