Only eligible candidates are allowed to appear on the UPSC CDS 2023 Exam. Every candidate who wishes to appear for this exam should meet various eligible parameters and standards that UPSC has addressed in their official notification. UPSC CDS 2023 Eligibility Criteria is classified into various parameters as given below.
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- Nationality
- Age Limit
- Educational Qualification
- Marital Status
- Medical Conditions
- Physical and Visual Standards
Note: The candidates can apply for four major Training Academies i.e. Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy. The UPSC CDS 2023 Exam Pattern and eligibility criteria are different for different branches. Therefore, candidates should check the eligibility criteria before applying for their respective academies. If the candidates are appointed for the service and are found guilty later, then the UPSC are authorized to remove them from the service.
CDS 2023 Educational Qualification
Every candidate who is applying for this exam must hold a certain level of qualification. The candidates who will meet the qualification standards established by the UPSC will be considered for the posts. Interested candidates can check the details about the Educational Qualifications in the table below.
Branches | Educational Qualification |
IMA (Indian Military Academy) | Minimum Graduation Degree in any discipline from a recognized board or a university. |
Indian Naval Academy | Candidates must possess a minimum graduation degree in Engineering from a recognized board or university. |
Indian Air Force Academy | Graduation degree in Engineering from a recognized board or University. Candidates should also hold a 12th certificate in Mathematics and Physics as core subjects. |
Officers Training Academy | Minimum Graduation Degree in any discipline from a recognized board or a university. |
Key Points
- During the SSB interview, candidates will have to bring their Graduation Certificates.
- Candidates in their last year of Graduation can apply for this exam.
CDS 2023 Age Limit Criteria
CDS (Combine Defence Service) is only for young candidates who aim to serve the nation. Knowing UPSC CDS 2023 Age limit is crucial for candidates applying for this exam. This will determine whether the candidates are allowed to sit for the exam. The UPSC has established an Age limit for both males and females. As per gender, Candidates can check the Age limit criteria in the table below.
Key Points
Before moving forward, candidates should read the most important key points.
- Candidates who are below 25 years of age should be Unmarried.
- Married candidates below 25 years of age are not allowed during the training period.
Age Limit For Men
Branches | Age Limit |
Officers Training Academy | 19-25 Years As per the 10th certificate, candidates should not have been earlier than 02/January/1999 nor later than 01/January/2005 |
Indian Air Force Academy | 19-23 years of Age. As per the 10th certificate, candidates should not have been earlier than 02/January/1998 nor later than 01/January/2004 |
Indian Naval Academy | 19-22 Years As per the 10th certificate, candidates should not have been earlier than 02/January/2000 nor later than 01/January/2005 |
Indian Military Academy | 19-24 years As per the 10th certificate, candidates should not have been earlier than 02/January/2000 nor later than 01/January/2005 |
Age Limit For Women
Female candidates can only apply for the OTA (Officers Training Academy) domain. Interested Females applying for this domain can check the Age limit Criteria below.
- Female candidates should not have been earlier than 02/January/1999 nor later than 01/January/2005
Age Relaxation
UPSC has given certain Age benefits to those candidates who will meet the standards given below. Only limited candidates are benefited from Age relaxation.
- Candidates holding a Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) will be given an Age relaxation of up to 26 years.
CDS 2023 Nationality
Interested candidates applying for UPSC CDS 2023 Exam must meet the nationality criteria. Only Candidates should hold any one of the nationalities given below.
- Indian Nationality
- Bhutan Nationality
- Nepal Nationality
- Tibetan Refugees who came to India before 01/01/1962 for Permanent Settlement.
- Candidates who are of Indian Origin, but, migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Africa to settle in India.
Note: Candidates must present the Valid Certificate of their Respective Nationalities to the recruiting Authorities.
CDS 2023 Marital Status
Aspiring Candidates must fit into the Marital status established by the UPSC for CDS 2023 Exam. We will discuss the marital status required for different branches in the table below.
Branches | Marital Status |
IMA & INA | Only Unmarried candidates are allowed to Training |
Indian Air Force Academy | The candidates who are below 25 years of Age must be Unmarried whereas the candidates who are above 25 years of age can hold a Marital Status. The candidates who are married will be given no accommodation for Spouses. |
Officers Training Academy (Men) | Unmarried |
Officers Training Academy (Women) | Unmarried |
Note: Divorcees and Widows will have to show the documents for being Eligible.
CDS 2023 Medical Standards
The CDS training period is filled with various physical tasks. Interested Candidates should keep themselves medically fit to avoid any hindrances during the training period. As per the CDS Medical Standards, candidates who suffer the medical problems mentioned below will not be allowed to proceed further.
- Overweight/Obesity/Underweight
- Under Sized Chest
- Piles
- Wax in Ears
- Tonsillitis
- NASAL Septum Deviated
- Gynaecomastia
- Varicocele
- Phimosis/Hydrocele
Every candidate will have to provide a detailed medical examination report for completing the recruitment process.
CDS 2023 Physical Standards
Aspiring candidates who want to serve India must be Medically and Physically Fit. Physically Fitness is the most important aspect of the CDS training journey. Candidates can check various Physical parameters required to fulfil the UPSC CDS 2023 Physical Standards.
IMA & INA – Height and Weight (Male Candidates)
Height (without Shoes) | Weight in Kg (18 Years) | Weight in Kg (20 Years) | Weight in Kg (22 Years) | Weight in Kg (24 Years) |
152 | 44* | 46 | 47 | 48 |
155 | 46 | 48** | 49 | 50 |
157 | 47 | 49 | 50 | 51 |
160 | 48 | 50 | 51 | 52 |
162 | 50 | 52 | 51 | 54 |
165 | 52 | 53 | 55 | 56 |
168 | 53 | 55 | 57 | 58 |
170 | 55 | 57 | 58 | 59 |
173 | 57 | 59 | 60 | 61 |
175 | 59 | 61 | 62 | 62 |
178 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 |
180 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 |
183 | 65 | 67 | 67 | 68 |
185 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 |
IAFA – Height and Weight (Male Candidates)
Height (MM) | Weight (15- 17 years) | Weight (18-22 years) | Weight (23-27 years) | Weight (28-32 years) | Weight (33-37 years) | Weight (38-42 years) | Weight (43-47 years) | Weight >48 years |
1520 | 46 | 47 | 50 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 55 | 54 |
1530 | 47 | 47 | 51 | 55 | 55 | 54 | 56 | 54 |
1540 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 56 | 55 | 55 | 57 | 55 |
1550 | 48 | 49 | 52 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 57 | 56 |
1560 | 48 | 49 | 53 | 57 | 57 | 56 | 58 | 56 |
1570 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 | 57 | 58 | 57 |
1580 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 58 |
1590 | 50 | 51 | 55 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 60 | 58 |
1600 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 59 | 60 | 59 | 60 | 59 |
1610 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 61 | 60 |
1620 | 52 | 53 | 57 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 62 | 60 |
1630 | 52 | 54 | 58 | 61 | 62 | 61 | 62 | 61 |
1640 | 53 | 54 | 59 | 62 | 63 | 62 | 63 | 62 |
1650 | 53 | 55 | 59 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 64 | 62 |
1660 | 54 | 56 | 60 | 63 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 63 |
1670 | 54 | 56 | 61 | 64 | 65 | 64 | 65 | 64 |
Key Points
- Candidates should not have an epileptic experience in the past.
- Candidates’ Physical Health should be free from any kind of disease or disability.
- Candidates should be mentally fit and should not have faced any mental disease such as depression.
- The candidate should not be overweight or Underweight.
- Candidates must have Bodily Mass Index below 25.
- For Male candidates, the chest should be well developed.
- Tattoos on any part of the Body are not allowed.
- Height Relaxation of 5 cm less is given to the candidates who belong to Gorkha Community or from Hilly areas such as Garhwal and Kumaon.
- Candidates from Lakshadweep will be given a height relaxation of 2 cm less.
Height And Weight Standards For Women
Height Without Shoes (CM) | Weight (18 years) | Weight (20 years) | Weight (30 years) |
148 | 39 | 41 | 43 |
150 | 40 | 42 | 43.5 |
153 | 42 | 43.5 | 45 |
155 | 43 | 44 | 46 |
158 | 45 | 46 | 48 |
160 | 46 | 47 | 49 |
163 | 47 | 48 | 51 |
165 | 49 | 51 | 53 |
168 | 50 | 52 | 54 |
Visual Standards
Men | Women |
Better Eye (6/6) Worse Eye (6/12) | Better Eye (6/6) Worse Eye (6/12) |
Myopia: Not more than 3.5D | Myopia: Not more than 5.5D |
Hypermetropia: Not more than 3.5D | Hypermetropia: Not more than 3.5D |
CDS 2023 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Yes, candidates must present valid documents.
Candidates below 25 years should not hold marital status while candidates above 25 years of age can hold marital status.
No, candidates must hold a graduation degree.
Candidates applying for the Indian Air force academy must possess a graduation degree in engineering.
The general age required for CDS 2023 Exam is 20-25 years. Candidates are advised to check the above article for detailed knowledge
Are Married Women Allowed to Take the CDS Exam?
No, married women are not permitted to take the CDS exam.
Are Married Women Allowed to Take the CDS Exam?
No, married women are not permitted to take the CDS exam.
What is 2023 CDS Eligibility?
A candidate must meet the requirements for CDS eligibility, which include requirements for their nationality, level of education, CDS age restriction, marital status, and other factors. If they meet the requirements established by the UPSC, individuals of both genders are eligible to apply for the positions.
How many times can someone take the CDS exam?
There is no cap on the number of tries, despite the conducting authority having set age restrictions and marital prerequisites. Up until the age limit is exceeded, a candidate may apply for this exam.
What level of medical fitness is required for CDS?
A candidate should get evaluated for common medical conditions such as ear wax, a deviated nasal septum, gynecomastia, phimosis, being overweight or underweight, etc. before attending the SSB interview. You should get tested for a number of other medical fitness-related disorders as well; the details are provided above.
Can I take the CDS exam after I finish grade 12?
Since CDS is a graduation-level test, it cannot be applied for after class 12.