CDS 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age, Qualification & Physical Standards

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the CDS 2026 notification for recruitment into Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Candidates must meet strict eligibility criteria related to age, education, nationality, marital status, and physical standards before applying. The application process for CDS 2026 began on December 10, 2025. UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Services examination twice a year, offering candidates a gateway to officer-level careers in the armed forces.

CDS 2026 Age Limit for Applicants

Age is a critical factor in CDS eligibility. Different academies have specific age ranges:

Meeting the age limit requirements is mandatory for successful CDS application.

Educational Qualifications for CDS 2026

The educational requirements vary by academy and course:

Candidates in the final year of their degree course can apply, provided they submit proof of passing before course commencement.

Nationality and Marital Status Criteria

Candidates must be:

1. A citizen of India, or
2. A subject of Nepal, or
3. A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or certain East African countries with certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

For IMA, INA, and AFA, only unmarried candidates are eligible. Women applying for OTA must be unmarried or issueless widows/divorcees not remarried.

Physical Standards for CDS 2026

Candidates must meet strict medical and physical standards set by UPSC for each academy. These include height, weight, vision, and general fitness requirements to ensure suitability for armed forces service.