CDS Exam and Eligibility: Things to Know Before Apply CDS Exam

Know The Age Criteria, Eligibility, Qualification & Physical Standard for Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam

CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria

The Combined Defence Services Examination is organized by UPSC twice a year. Candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria, which includes nationality, educational qualification, age limit, marital status and physical conditions. One must at least be appearing for their degree and should have completed graduation or will be done by 2022. Candidates must make sure they practice enough CDS papers beforehand so they can appear the best out of everyone else on the day of their test!

CDS 2023 Exam Dates

The Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS) is a competitive exam that determines aptitude and capability for Indian Armed Forces. If a candidate passes the CDS, they are given a posting in one of the three services of their choice; and from there can proceed with their career in the Indian Military Service. The candidates who pass the test will be placed in one of three categories (army, navy or air force) again based on their preference.

UPSC has already released the CDS 2023 exam dates scheduled on 16 Apr, 2023 (CDS 1 2023) and 03 Sep, 2023 (CDS 2 2023). Given below is the complete detail of CDS exam schedule in 2022.

CDS 1 2023 Exam Dates

CDS Exam Notifications CDS 1 2023 Exam Dates
CDS Exam Online Registration CDS 1 2023 Exam Dates 21 December, 2023
CDS Application Last Date 10 Jan, 2023
Admit Card Issue Date Mar, 2023
CDS 1 2022 Exam Date 16 Apr, 2023
CDS 1 2022 Exam Results 40-100 days After Exam

CDS 2 2023 Exam Dates

CDS Exam NotificationsCDS 2 2023 Exam Dates
CDS Exam Online Registration17 May, 2023
CDS Application Last Date06 June, 2023
Admit Card Issue DateOctober, 2023
CDS 1 2022 Exam Date03 Sep, 2023
CDS 1 2022 Exam Results40-100 days After Exam

Number of Vacancies in CDS 1 2023 and CDS 2 2023 Exam

The complete list of vacancies has been given in the CDS and related notification provided by the UPSC. The UPSC calendar and the information it provides to applicants through its website list the different vacancies for each stream (IMA, AFA, OTA, INA & OTA Women) of examination as per notification given by the central government.

Candidates can refer to the following table for a list of both CDS 1 2023 and CDS 2 2023 vacancies released.

Name of the AcademyNumber of Vacancies
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (IMA)100
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (INA)22
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (AFA)32
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (OTA, Men170
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (OTA)(Non-Technical, Women)17

The Eligibility Criteria for CDS Examination

The eligibility criteria for CDS is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission. Aspirants who wish to apply for this exam in 2023 are required to meet the eligibility before applying for the Combined Defence Services exam.

CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria: Nationality

A Citizen of India by birth.

A subject of Nepal or Bhutan.

The citizens of Indian origin who have migrated or shifted permanently to India are also eligible for the examination only the people who had migrated from these countries or allowed to sit in the examination Pakistan, Uganda Burma Sri Lanka, zaire, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Vietnam or Malawi.

A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1962 and intends to live here permanently.

CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit and Marital Status

Male candidates who are unmarried and fulfil the criteria of citizenship born not earlier than 2 July, 1999 and not later than 2nd July 2003 are eligible to apply for Indian Naval Academy and Indian military Academy.

Candidates who fulfil the citizenship criteria and were born not earlier than 2nd July, 1999 to 1st July, 2004 can apply for Air Force Academy.

Unmarried male candidates who fulfil the criteria of citizenship and not born earlier than 2nd July, 1998 and not later than 1st July, 2004 are eligible for officers training Academy (SSC course for men).

Unmarried women, widows and divorcees candidates and not remarried and also who fulfil the citizenship criteria and not born earlier than 2nd July and not later than 1st July, 2004 are eligible for officers training Academy (SSC women non-technical course).

Name of the AcademyAge Limit (in years)
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (IMA)19 – 24
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (INA)19 – 22
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (AFA)19 – 23
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (OTA, Men19 – 23
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (OTA)(Non-Technical, Women)19 – 23

CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria: Education Qualification

Male candidates who are unmarried and fulfil the criteria of citizenship born not earlier than 2 Jan, 1999 and not later than 2nd Jan, 2003 are eligible to apply for Indian Naval Academy and Indian military Academy.

Candidates who fulfil the citizenship criteria and were born not earlier than 2nd Jan, 1999 to 1st Jan, 2004 can apply for Air Force Academy.

Unmarried male candidates who fulfil the criteria of citizenship and not born earlier than 2nd July, 1999 and not later than 1st July, 2004 are eligible for officers training Academy (SSC course for men).

Unmarried women, widows and divorcees candidates and not remarried and also who fulfil the citizenship criteria and not born earlier than 2nd July and not later than 1st July, 2004 are eligible for officers training Academy (SSC women non-technical course).

Name of the Academy CDS Exam Education Qualification
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (IMA) Graduation from a recognized university
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (INA) Engineering degree from a recognized university
Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (AFA) Bachelor of Engineering / Graduation with Physics & Chemistry
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (OTA, Men) Graduation from a recognized university
Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (OTA)(Non-Technical, Women) Graduation from a recognized university
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