The eligibility criteria for the UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination are as follows:

  1. Nationality:

    • A candidate must be either:
      • a citizen of India, or
      • a subject of Nepal, or
      • a subject of Bhutan, or
      • a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
      • a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

  2. Age Limit:

    • For Indian Military Academy (IMA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1999, and not later than January 1, 2004.
    • For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1999, and not later than January 1, 2004.
    • For Air Force Academy (AFA): Age between 20 to 24 years as of January 1, 2023 (born not earlier than January 2, 2000, and not later than January 1, 2004).
    • For Officers' Training Academy (OTA): Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1998, and not later than January 1, 2004.
    • For Officers' Training Academy (OTA): Unmarried female candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1998, and not later than January 1, 2004.

  3. Educational Qualifications:

    • For Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA): Candidates must possess a degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
    • For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognized university or institution.
    • For Air Force Academy (AFA): Candidates must have a degree from a recognized university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

  4. Physical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit as per the prescribed physical standards for admission to the Combined Defence Services Examination.

  5. Marital Status:

    • For Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA): Only unmarried candidates are eligible.
    • For Officers' Training Academy (OTA): Both unmarried male and female candidates are eligible.

  6. Candidates who are studying in the final year/semester of their degree course and have yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply provisionally. However, they are required to submit proof of passing the degree examination along with the requisite certificates to reach the Army Headquarters/Naval Headquarters/Air Headquarters as applicable within the prescribed time limit.