CDS Eligibility 2023: The Union Public Service Commission is responsible for administering the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam on two occasions within a given year, namely April and September. Those who successfully overcome the hurdle of the examination will have the opportunity to be selected for enlistment and training by esteemed institutions such as the Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. The selection process relies on a combination of written tests and thorough interviews, with candidates expected to demonstrate their aptitude in each stage.
It has been decided that the candidates who are shortlisted for the interview will be assigned to the academies of their choice based on their performance and order of preference. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has laid out specific eligibility requirements for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination. Aspirants who are keen to take this exam must thoroughly peruse the information to understand the criteria related to age and other qualifications that have been set by the UPSC in order to be deemed eligible.
CDS Eligibility 2023
The Union Public Service Commission has announced that the detailed eligibility criteria for the upcoming CDS 1 examination will be revealed in the official notification scheduled to be released on the 21st of December 2023. This information was made available in the UPSC Calendar for 2023. In order to provide aspiring candidates with an idea of the qualifications required to apply for the CDS exam, we have included a comprehensive overview of the eligibility criteria below. Thus, it is crucial for candidates to analyze these important guidelines before submitting their applications.
- In case where the candidates are found to be failing to satisfy the conditions laid down by the commission for eligibility, such candidates will have their application declared invalid at any point in the recruitment process.
- In the event that the candidate is found to have committed any misdeeds subsequent to their appointment, it shall result in the immediate termination of their service with the organization.
- After the candidates are done with their personality test, they have to go through the document verification process which is carried out by the Union Public Service Commission. It is mandatory for the candidates to present verified and authentic documents at the given time of verification. The thorough scrutiny of documents will ensure that the candidates are eligible and suitable for the vacancy they have applied for. The document verification process will happen post the personality test, and only after a careful examination of the documents, the final results will be announced by UPSC.
- Applicants who have been divorced and are of the male gender will not be classified as unmarried. Consequently, they will not meet the eligibility criteria for the CDS exam.
- It is strictly prohibited to alter one’s date of birth throughout the recruitment process. No exceptions will be made.
- One of the rules for candidate eligibility is that those under 25 years of age must be single. Additionally, it is important to note that during the training period, marriage is strictly prohibited.
- Individuals who meet the age requirement of 25 years or older will have the opportunity to submit an application for their desired academy. However, it should be noted that for the duration of their training, they will not be granted access to married accommodations nor will they be permitted to reside with their family outside of the facility’s boundaries.
CDS Age Limit 2023
- In conformity with the prescribed guidelines of the Indian Military Academy, solely male candidates who are not married are eligible to apply. A prerequisite for eligibility is that the candidates must be born between the 2nd of January 2000 to the 1st of January 2005, without exception.
- The Indian Naval Academy (INA) restricts eligibility for its training programs to individuals who are of the male gender and are not married. Moreover, to qualify for enrollment, candidates must have been born anytime from the 2nd of January 2000 until the 1st of January 2005, ensuring that they fall within a particular age bracket.
- The Air Force Academy is open to applicants who fit a specific age range. Those who were born between January 2, 2000 and January 1, 2004, and are between the ages of 20 and 24 are eligible to apply. However, candidates who possess a Commercial Pilot Licence issued by the DGCA(India) that is current and valid may be granted an age relaxation, extending the maximum age limit to 26 years.
- The Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) has laid out an eligibility criterion that specifies that only men who remain unmarried throughout the duration of the course can apply to it. Adding to that, the applicant should have their birth date in between the 2nd of January in 1999 and the 1st of January in 2005 for them to qualify for the course.
- The eligibility requirements for the Officers’ Training Academy’s SSC Women Non-Technical course are quite specific. Only unmarried women, as well as issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (who possess official divorce documents), may apply. Additionally, these candidates must have been born between the dates of 2nd January 1999 and 1st January 2005. If you meet all of these requirements, then you may be a viable candidate for this particular course.
Beneath are the particulars displaying the qualification requisites regarding an individual’s age limit and relationship status, proficiently arranged in a tabular format.
| Academy | Age Limit | Marital Status |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 19 – 24 Years | Unmarried |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 19 – 22 Years | Unmarried |
| Air Force Academy | 19 – 23 Years | <25 years unmarried or >25 years both married and unmarried. |
| Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course) | 19 – 25 Years | Females who have not tied the knot, including widows without children who have not entered into matrimony again, as well as divorcees without offspring who have not remarried are all qualified candidates. |
| Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) | 19 – 25 Years | Unmarried |
CDS Educational Qualifications 2023
The University Public Service Commission (UPSC) has made it mandatory for candidates seeking admission to the Combined Defense Services (CDS) to have a minimum educational qualification. The criteria for educational qualification that must be satisfied by aspiring candidates in order to be deemed eligible for the CDS are prescribed by the UPSC. To fulfill this educational requirement, it is imperative that candidates hold a graduate degree from an accredited university. Any candidate considering the CDS must take note of the instructions provided by the UPSC. These instructions hold crucial information regarding the requirements and guidelines that an applicant must fulfill to be considered fit for admission into the CDS program.
- It is mandatory for individuals who have opted for the Army, Navy, or Air Force as their primary choice to possess their graduation certificate when appearing for the SSB interview.
- Applicants who are currently in their final year of undergraduate studies are eligible to apply for the course, subject to the condition that they have not failed any subjects during their academic career. These candidates will be required to submit their degree certificates prior to the start of the program.
Included in the following table is a comprehensive description of the educational requirements necessary for the CDS position.
| Academy | Education Qualification |
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Bachelors in Engineering from a recognized University |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Graduated with Physics and Mathematics in Class 12th
or Bachelor of Engineering |
CDS Citizenship/Nationality 2023
able to meet a number of requirements with regards to their nationality and citizenship. In order to be considered for this examination, prospective candidates’ nationality and citizenship status will have to meet the necessary criteria. It should be noted that only those individuals who are able to fulfil these prerequisites will be able to submit an application for the CDS exam.
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- Individuals who emigrated from Tibet and have been granted permanent residence in India prior to January 1, 1962 can be categorized as refugees.
- People of Indian descent who hail from various countries such as Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zaire, Zambia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, the East African countries of Uganda, and Vietnam have decided to immigrate to India with the aim of establishing permanent residency.
Individuals classified under categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 must provide a substantiated certificate of eligibility that is endorsed by the Government of India when submitting their applications to the recruitment agency. However, those who fall under the Gorkha category and are domiciled in Nepal need not furnish any eligibility certificate.
Important Link’s
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Homepage | Click Here |
FAQ’s Related to CDS Eligibility 2023
what is the stipulated age limit for the aspirants appearing in the CDS 2023 examination?
You can find diverse age limit requirements for the CDS 2023 examination, as it is influenced by the relevant academy. Please refer to the article that we have curated to present the age requirements for each academy, in order to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria.
I am currently 24 years old, and I was wondering if I am eligible to sit for the CDS exam.
Individuals who are not yet wed and have reached the ripe age of 24 years old are permitted to apply for CDS, also known as the Combined Defense Services examination.
what level of education does one need to qualify for the CDS (Combined Defence Services)?
It is required for the applicant to possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from a university that is acknowledged and accredited in order to be considered for this position.
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