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Eligibility For Combined Defence Services Exam


Aspirants must be aware of the eligibility conditions before applying for UPSC CDS Exam 2018.

Educational qualifications

A) For Indian Military Academy/Officers Training Academy: Degree from a recognized university or equivalent

B) For Indian Naval Academy: Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution

C) For Air Force Academy: Degree of a recognized University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering

Graduates with first choice as Army/Navy/Air Force are to submit proof of graduation provisional certificate on the date of commencement of the SSB interview at the SSB

For CDS exam, applicants can be from any stream but for entry to Air Force and Navy, candidates should have studied physics and maths up to Class 12

Candidates who are studying in the final year degree course and have yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply but they will be required to subject proof of passing the degree examination to reach the Army Head Quarter/Rtd CDSE Entry, West Bloc III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066

Candidates appearing at the degree or equivalent examination are also eligible to compete. Such candidates will be required to submit the proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination by a date to be specified in the Commission's Notice for the Examination.

In the event of Air Force candidates being suspended from Flying Training for failure to learn flying, they would be absorbed in the Navigation Branch of the IAF. This will be subject to availability of vacancies and fulfilling the laid down qualitative requirements (including 60% in graduation)

Age and other qualifications

(A) For IMA - Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd January 1995 and not later than 01st January 2000 only are eligible

(B) For Indian Naval Academy - Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd January 1995 and not later than 01st January 2000 only are eligible

(C) For Air Force Academy - 20 to 24 years as on 01st January 2019 i.e. born not earlier than 02nd January 1995 and not later than 01st January 1999 (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 years i.e. born not earlier than 02nd January 1993 and not later than 01st January 1999) only are eligible

(D) For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Course for men) Male candidates (married or unmarried) born not earlier than 02nd January 1994 and not later than 01st January 2000 only are eligible

(E) For Officers' Training Academy -(SSC Women Non-Technical Course) Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible; they should have been born not earlier than 02nd January 1994 and not later than 01st January 2000

Physical Requirements for CDS

Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2018 as per guidelines given in Appendix-IV. For more details: , CDS Exam notification 2018

Exam Pattern for CDS