CDS Eligibility 2026, Check CDS Age Limit & Qualification

CDS 2 Eligibility 2026 is set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It includes nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and physical and medical standards. Candidates who are Indian nationals (or meet specified citizenship conditions), holding relevant educational qualification (Graduation for IMA & OTA, B.Tech. for INA, and a technical degree or a degree with Physics & Maths at 10+2 for AFA), are within the age limit (19-24 years for IMA & INA, 20-24 years for AFA, and 19-26 years for OTA) and physically and mentally fit are eligibility for CDS 2 2026.

CDS Nationality 2026

CDS Nationality/ Citizenship criteria is to be met by candidates applying for CDS 2026. Nationality criteria are as follows:

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A subject of Bhutan, or
• Refugees from Tibet who are permanently settled in India before January 1, 1962.
• An Indian origin migrated from nations like Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Zaire, Zambia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, East African countries of Uganda, and Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

Candidates who belong to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, or any other country mentioned have to present an eligible nationality certificate issued by Government of India to the recruitment authority. Gorkhas subject to Nepal need not provide any certificate.

CDS Age Limit 2026

1. Unmarried male candidates are eligible for the Indian Military Academy and Indian Naval Academy. Candidate must be born between July 2, 2003, to July 1, 2008, to be eligible for recruitment at IMA and INA.
2. Air Force Academy- Candidates who are between 20 to 25 years of age, and are born between July 02, 2002, to July 1, 2006, are eligible. Candidates who have a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by the DGCA (India) will get an age relaxation of up to 26 years.
3. Officers Training Academy (SSC Course for Men): Unmarried males are eligible who were born between July 2, 2001 and July 1, 2007.
4. 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 July 2, 2001, and not later than July 1, 2007.

CDS Educational Qualification 2026

Candidates can check educational qualifications in the table below:

• Candidates who are in the final year of graduation can also apply for CDS 2026
• Candidates in the final year should not have any backlog
• Candidates applying in the final year will have to submit the passing degree certificate at the time of commencement of the course.

CDS Eligibility 2026 Important Points

1. If candidates don’t fulfill the eligibility criteria prescribed by the commission, the candidature of such candidates will be declared null or void at any stage of recruitment.
2. If the candidate is found guilty after the appointment, the candidate will be terminated from the services.
3. UPSC will conduct document verification after the personality test. Candidates are required to produce valid documents at the time of document verification.
4. Male divorcee applicants will not be considered unmarried. Thus, they will not be eligible for CDS.
5. Any change in date of birth is not allowed during any stage of recruitment.
6. Candidates below 25 years are required to be unmarried. Marriage will not be allowed during the training period.
7. Candidates above 25 years are eligible to apply for their respective academy, but during the training period, UPSC will not provide accommodation, and candidates will not be able to live with family outside the premises.

Candidates who are shortlisted from the Written exam can qualify for the 5-day Service Selection Board (SSB) and a medical examination. Service Selection Board (SSB) interview evaluates candidates' aptitude, personality, and leadership potential through various stages, including Physical fitness, Intelligence Tests, Psychological Assessments, Group Discussions, and Personal Interviews.