UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) Eligibility 2026
Who can apply for UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) in 2026 — the age limit, educational qualification, nationality and attempt rules as specified by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Always confirm against the official notification before applying.
IMA — Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (Army, Permanent Commission)
- Age
- Approximately 19-24 years on the first day of the month in which the relevant course commences. The exact age window is fixed by the notification for each cycle — read the notification's date range carefully before applying.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification. Final-year students may apply provisionally and must produce proof of graduation by the SSB stage in accordance with the notification.
- Nationality
- Unmarried male. Indian citizen, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who came before 1 Jan 1962 with intent to settle permanently, or person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries (candidates from these latter categories require a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India).
INA — Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala (Navy, Executive Branch)
- Age
- Approximately 19-24 years on the first day of the month in which the relevant course commences. Exact band per the notification.
- Education
- A degree in Engineering from a recognised university / institution, OR a B.Sc. with Physics as a core / elective subject (with Physics AND Mathematics at the 10+2 level) (subject to the notification's specific eligibility text for that cycle).
- Nationality
- Unmarried male. Indian citizen with the same provisions as IMA. Must meet Navy-specific medical and visual acuity standards (uncorrected and corrected vision within prescribed limits, no colour-vision deficiency).
AFA — Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Air Force, Flying Branch)
- Age
- Approximately 20-24 years on the first day of the month in which the relevant course commences. Upper age relaxation up to 26 years applies to candidates with a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (subject to the notification).
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline (with Physics AND Mathematics at the 10+2 level) from a recognised university, OR a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Must qualify the Computer Pilot Selection System (CPSS) and the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) at the Air Force Selection Board.
- Nationality
- Unmarried male. Indian citizen with the same provisions as IMA. Must meet stringent IAF Flying-branch medical standards (Aircrew Medical, AAB Cat I) — height, weight, vision (6/6 in better eye, uncorrected), no colour blindness, no history of refractive surgery beyond permitted limits.
OTA — Officers Training Academy, Chennai (Army, Short Service Commission)
- Age
- Approximately 19-25 years on the first day of the month in which the relevant course commences. Slightly wider band than IMA/INA/AFA.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. No subject restriction at 10+2 level. Final-year candidates may apply provisionally per the notification.
- Nationality
- Unmarried male, OR married or unmarried female (OTA is the only CDS entry open to female candidates). Indian citizen with the same provisions as IMA. SSC officers serve an initial 10 years, extendable up to 14, with optional conversion to Permanent Commission subject to vacancies and merit.
Common conditions across all four academies — how to read the notification before you apply
- Age
- Each notification states the age window as a pair of birth dates ('born not earlier than … and not later than …') for the course starting in a named month, and that window differs for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA within the same exam. Check the pair of dates for every academy you opt for, because a candidate can be within the window for OTA yet outside it for IMA in the same cycle. UPSC accepts only the date of birth entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate; no other document, affidavit or later correction is entertained, and there is no category-based age relaxation in CDS.
- Education
- Graduation is the base for every academy, with the subject conditions differing: any discipline for IMA and OTA, Engineering or a science degree with Physics for INA, and Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 (or an Engineering degree) for AFA. Final-year candidates apply provisionally and must submit proof of passing by the date the notification fixes, which usually falls before the course starts; a candidate whose degree result is delayed by the university forfeits the seat for that course. Keep the degree certificate or a provisional certificate with a consolidated mark sheet ready for the SSB stage, where the documents are checked before the interview begins.
- Nationality
- Beyond citizenship, the candidate must be unmarried on the date of application and must remain unmarried until training is complete — marriage during training results in discharge and recovery of the cost of training (OTA allows married women, but married men remain ineligible for all four). Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan and the other listed categories need the Government of India eligibility certificate before final selection. All candidates must meet the physical standards published with the notification — height and weight bands, vision (including the stricter uncorrected-vision and colour-perception rules for INA and AFA), hearing, and absence of the listed medical conditions; get a preliminary check done by an ophthalmologist and a physician before applying, since the medical board at the end is the stage where the largest number of recommended candidates are lost.
- Attempts
- UPSC does not limit the number of CDS attempts; the age window is the only cap, and the exam is held twice a year, so a candidate typically has four to ten attempts across the eligible years. The SSB, however, keeps a record of previous appearances, and a candidate is called for a fresh SSB in the same entry only after the interval the Board prescribes. Applications go through the UPSC online portal; keep the registration ID, choose the academy preferences carefully (they cannot be changed later, and academies not opted for will not consider you even if you qualify), and note that the application fee is waived for female candidates and for SC/ST candidates as stated in the notification.
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) eligibility — common questions
What is the educational qualification for UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services)?
Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification. Final-year students may apply provisionally and must produce proof of graduation by the SSB stage in accordance with the notification. That is for IMA — Indian Military Academy, Dehradun (Army, Permanent Commission); the other 4 posts under this notification are listed in the table above.
What is the age limit for UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services)?
Approximately 19-24 years on the first day of the month in which the relevant course commences. The exact age window is fixed by the notification for each cycle — read the notification's date range carefully before applying.
Do I need to be an Indian citizen to apply for UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services)?
Unmarried male. Indian citizen, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who came before 1 Jan 1962 with intent to settle permanently, or person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries (candidates from these latter categories require a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India).
Are there attempt limits or extra requirements for UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services)?
UPSC does not limit the number of CDS attempts; the age window is the only cap, and the exam is held twice a year, so a candidate typically has four to ten attempts across the eligible years. The SSB, however, keeps a record of previous appearances, and a candidate is called for a fresh SSB in the same entry only after the interval the Board prescribes. Applications go through the UPSC online portal; keep the registration ID, choose the academy preferences carefully (they cannot be changed later, and academies not opted for will not consider you even if you qualify), and note that the application fee is waived for female candidates and for SC/ST candidates as stated in the notification.
Where should I confirm my UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) eligibility?
Always check against the official Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) notification — eligibility rules can change from one cycle to the next. The official links are at the bottom of this page.
Official sources
Every figure on this page traces back to the official notification. Rules change from cycle to cycle — confirm before you apply.
UPSC Official Portal (notifications, syllabus, results) · UPSC Online (application portal)
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