CDS Exam Guide 2026
CDS 2026 notification updates and complete exam guide. Check exam dates, vacancies, eligibility criteria, selection process, syllabus, and application details.
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📊 CDS Eligibility Highlights
| Age | Varies from 20 to 25 years for different Forces |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Graduation Degree |
| Nationality | A Citizen of India, or A subject of Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee, or Nepal, or India origins migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, and East African Countries of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zaire, Malawi, and Ethiopia or Vietnam to settle in India permanently. |
| Number of Attempts | Till Age Permits |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Experience | Not Required |
| Important Points | Women Candidates (Unmarried) are eligible only for Short Service Commission at OTA (Officers Training Academy). Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable for up to 26 yrs. (Married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply but during their training period they neither have married accommodation nor will they live with their family outside the premises) |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| CDS Eligibility Criteria for Women | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Minimum Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. |
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of India or a subject of Bhutan or Nepal or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962. |
| Marital Status | Only unmarried females, widows who have not remarried, and divorcees who have not remarried and possess divorce documents are eligible for OTA. Only unmarried male candidates are eligible for IMA, INA, AFA. |
| Physical Standards | Minimum acceptable height for female candidates is 152 cm. |
📊 Post Name & Classification Details
| Various Departments | Age Criteria in each case | Age Limit | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2002 and not later than 1 st July 2007 only are eligible | 18-23 years | Unmarried |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2007 only are eligible. | 18-23 years | Unmarried |
| Indian Air Force Academy (AFA) | 20 to 24 years as on 1st July 2026 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July 2002 and not later than 1st July 2006 | 20-24 years | Married/Unmarried |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) (SSC course) (Men) | Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July 2001 and not later than 1st July, 2007 | 19-25 years | Unmarried |
| Officers' Training Academy—(SSC Women Non-Technical Course) | Candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2001 and not later than 1st July, 2007 | 19-25 years | Unmarried Females, issueless widows who haven’t remarried, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried. |
📊 Exam Information 5
| Armed Forces | CDS Education Qualification |
|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | Candidates should have a Graduation from a recognised University or equivalent. |
| INA(Indian Naval Academy) | Candidates should have a degree in Engineering from a recognised University or Institution. |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | Candidates should have a degree from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering. |
| OTA (Officer Training Academy) | Candidates should have a Graduation from a recognised University or equivalent. |
📊 CDS Physical Eligibility
| Gender | Minimum Height | Height Relaxation for Certain Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 157 cm | 152 cm for Navy 162.5 cm for Air Force Flying Branch 157.5 cm for Air Force Ground Duty 152 cm for Gorkhas, Assamese, Garhwalis, etc. 5 cm shorter for people from the hills of India's north-eastern region such as Garhwali and Kumaon |
| Female | 152 cm | 147 cm for Gorkhas, Assamese, Garhwalis, etc. 5 cm shorter for people from the hills of India's north-eastern region such as Garhwali and Kumaon 2 cm shorter for candidates from Lakshadweep |
| All | 148 cm | After all kinds of waivers/dispensations, the minimum height for all entries is 148 cm. If not, the candidate will be labelled a dwarf. |
📊 CDS Height and Weight Requirements for Army & Navy
| Height in Centimetres (Without Shoes) | Weight (Kgs) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 years | 20 years | 22 years | 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 |
| 188 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 74 |
| 190 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 76 |
| 193 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 78 |
| 195 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 81 |
📊 CDS Height and Weight Requirements for Airforce
| Height (mm) | Weight (Kgs) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15- 17 years | 18-22 years | 23-27 years | 28-32 years | 33-37 years | 38-42 years | 43-47 years | >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 |
| 1680 | 55 | 57 | 61 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| 1690 | 55 | 57 | 62 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 65 |
| 1700 | 56 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 66 |
| 1710 | 56 | 59 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| 1720 | 57 | 59 | 64 | 67 | 68 | 66 | 68 | 67 |
| 1730 | 58 | 60 | 65 | 68 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 68 |
| 1740 | 58 | 61 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 69 | 69 | 69 |
| 1750 | 59 | 61 | 66 | 69 | 71 | 70 | 70 | 69 |
| 1760 | 59 | 62 | 67 | 70 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 70 |
| 1770 | 60 | 62 | 68 | 70 | 72 | 72 | 71 | 71 |
| 1780 | 60 | 63 | 69 | 71 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 71 |
| 1790 | 61 | 64 | 69 | 72 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 72 |
| 1800 | 61 | 64 | 70 | 72 | 74 | 74 | 73 | 73 |
| 1810 | 62 | 65 | 71 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 73 |
| 1820 | 62 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 74 |
| 1830 | 63 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 76 | 75 | 75 |
| 1840 | 64 | 67 | 73 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 75 |
| 1850 | 64 | 68 | 74 | 75 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 76 |
| 1860 | 65 | 68 | 74 | 76 | 78 | 78 | 77 | 77 |
| 1870 | 65 | 69 | 75 | 77 | 79 | 79 | 78 | 77 |
| 1880 | 66 | 69 | 76 | 77 | 80 | 80 | 78 | 78 |
| 1890 | 66 | 70 | 77 | 78 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 79 |
| 1900 | 67 | 71 | 77 | 79 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 79 |
| 1910 | 67 | 71 | 78 | 79 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 80 |
| 1920 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 80 | 83 | 82 | 81 | 81 |
| 1930 | 68 | 73 | 79 | 81 | 83 | 83 | - | - |
📊 CDS Height and Weight Standards for Female Candidates
| Height in Cms. (Without shoes) | Weights (Kgs) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 years | 20 years | 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 |
📊 Eligibility Criteria Details
| Medical CDS Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Standards | Candidates must meet the minimum physical standards set by the CDS, such as a minimum acceptable height of 152 cms for female candidates. |
| Medical Fitness | Candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the medical standards set by the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). |
| Visual and Hearing Standards | Candidates must meet visual and hearing standards set by UPSC. The standards might vary depending on the role candidates are applying for. |
| Medical Examination | Candidates will undergo a medical examination conducted by the Armed Forces Medical Board (AFMB) to determine their medical fitness. Any candidate found to be medically unfit will not be allowed to continue with the recruitment process. |
📊 Exam Information 11
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Vision (corrected) better eye 6/6 and worse eye 6/12 | Vision(corrected) better eye 6/6, worse eye 6/12 |
| Manifest hypermetropia should be less than plus 3.5 D including Astigmatism | Manifest hypermetropia should be less than plus 3.5 D including Astigmatism. |
| Myopia of not more than minus 3.5 D | Myopia of not more than minus 5.5 D |
📊 Exam Information 12
| Condition | Standards |
|---|---|
| Uncorrected without glasses | 6/12, 6/12 |
| Corrected with glasses | 6/6, 6/6 |
| Binocular Vision | III |
| Limits of Myopia | - 1.5D Sph |
| Limits of Hypermetropia | + 1.5 D Cyl |
| Limits of Colour Perception | I |
| Astigmatism (within limits of myopia and hypermetropia) | +0.75 D Sph / Cyl |
📊 Exam Information 13
| Visual Parameters for Air Force | Details |
|---|---|
| Spectacles | Candidates who habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for Air Force. |
| Minimum Distant Vision | Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other correctable to 6/6 only. |
| Hypermetropia | Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph. |
| Colour Vision | Colour Vision CP-1. |
| Manifest Myopia | Manifest Myopia: Nil. |
| Retinoscopic Myopia | Retinoscopic Myopia- 0.5 in any meridian. |
| Astigmatism | Astigmatism: +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 D- Max). |
| Maddox Rod Test | At 6 metres: Exo-6 prism D, Eso-6 prism D, Hyper-1 prism D, Hypo-1 prism D. At 33 cms: Exo-16 prism D, Eso-6 prism D, Hyper-1 prism D, Hypo-1 prism D. |
| Lasik/equivalent surgery | Candidates who have had kerato-refractive surgery must present a certificate or surgical notes from the hospital detailing the date, type of surgery, and treatment. |
📊 Hearing Standards for CDS Eligibility
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Speech Test | A candidate can get rejected if they fail to meet the required requirements. The applicant must score at least 70 percent at an intensity no greater than 65 Db in either ear. |
| Audiometric Test | Audiometric loss should be 20 dB or below and between 250 and 8000 Hz. If an ENT examination is regular, then only on the recommendation of an ENT Specialist hearing loss up to 30 dB can be considered. Tympanoplasty Type I can be accepted after twelve weeks of surgery. The ear clearance should be standard in the altitude chamber. The following middle ear conditions can entail rejection: attic, central or marginal Perforation If you have a scar on your eardrum with a significant inward pull. If you have undergone a specific type of ear surgery called Tympanoplasty, starting from the second type (Type II) onwards, but not the first type (Type I). If you have calcium deposits (calcareous plaques) in your eardrum, but only if they cover less than one-third of a specific part called the pars tensa. If you have had an infection in the middle ear. If you have a growth or swelling called granulation or polyp in your outer ear canal. If you have had a surgical procedure called stapedectomy. If you have a condition called Otosclerosis. If you have a condition called Meniere's disease. If you have a problem with the balance system in your inner ear (vestibular dysfunction) or with the movement sense related to your body's position (proprioception origin). If you have developed Bell's palsy after having an ear infection. |
📊 Eligibility Criteria Details
| CDS Eligibility Criteria for Spinal Diseases | Details |
|---|---|
| Granulomatous disease of the spine | Not eligible. |
| Arthritis/Spondylosis | Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoarthrosis, Spondylosis, and degenerative joint diseases; Not eligible |
| Non-articular Rheumatism | Lesions of the rotator cuff, recurrent lumbago, tennis elbow, and others; Not eligible |
| Miscellaneous Disorders | Including SLE, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Vasculitis; Not eligible |
| Spondylolisthesis/ Spondylolysis/ Spondylosis | Not eligible. |
| Compression fracture of vertebrae | Not eligible. |
| Scheuermann’s disease (Adolescent Kyphosis) | Not eligible. |
| Loss of Cervical Lordosis | If associated with clinically restricted movements of the cervical spine, not eligible. |
| Cervical Ribs | Unilateral/bilateral Cervical ribs and a demonstrable neurological or circulatory deficiency, not eligible. |
📊 Eligibility Criteria Details
| CDS Eligibility Criteria for Dental Conditions | Details |
|---|---|
| Incipient pathological conditions of the jaws | Progressive or recurrent, not eligible. |
| Significant jaw discrepancies | Between the upper and the lower jaw, which can hamper efficient chewing and/or speech, not eligible. |
| Symptomatic Temporo-Mandibular Joint | With clicking and tenderness, not eligible. |
| Restricted mouth opening | Less than 30 mm measured at the incisal edges, dislocation of the TMJ on a wide opening, not eligible. |
| Potentially cancerous conditions | Not eligible. |
| Submucous fibrosis | With or without the restriction to mouth opening, not eligible. |
| Poor oral health status | In the form of gross visible calculus or bleeding from gums or periodontal pockets, not eligible. |
| Loose teeth | More than two mobile teeth, not eligible. |
| Cosmetic or post-traumatic Maxillofacial surgery/trauma | Candidate will be considered unfit for at least 24 weeks after the surgery/injury, whichever is later. |
| Malocclusion of teeth | Hampers structured mastications, the maintenance of oral hygiene, general nutrition, or duties performed well, not eligible. |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.What are the CDS Eligibility Requirements for 2026?
The CDS eligibility criteria for 2026 are a set of age, education, nationality, and physical standards that candidates must meet to be considered for the exam.
Q2.Can I apply for CDS after completing my 12th grade?
You are not eligible to apply for CDS after finishing Class 12 because it is a graduate-level examination. If you want to apply for the exam, you must first complete a UG degree in any subject of your choice.
Q3.Can students in their final year apply for CDS?
Candidates in their final year of college should apply for CDS. They will, however, be admitted to the exam on a provisional basis. At the time of document verification, they must produce certificates indicating that they have completed the appropriate degree.
Q4.Is it possible for women to apply for CDS 2026?
Women can apply for the CDS Exam, but they can only attend the OTA.
Q5.How many attempts can you take for CDS exam?
There is no limit to how many times you can take the CDS exam.
Q6.I am 22 years old. I am married. Is it possible for me to apply to the Indian Naval Academy?
No, you are not eligible to apply to the Indian Naval Academy. Although you are eligible based on your age, you must be unmarried to apply for INA.
Q7.I have a bachelor's degree in computer science. Is it possible for me to apply for the Indian Naval Academy?
According to UPSC, you must have an Engineering degree to apply for IMA.
Q8.Who can give CDS Exam?
Anybody Between 20 to 25 years, who graduated from a recognized university and pass the other qualifications for the respected categories can give CDS exam but for airforce, upper age limit is 24 years.
Q9.Is the CDS Exam Eligibility for Females different form the CDS Eligibility for males?
The CDS Eligibility for Females is relaxed to some extent only in terms of the Physical Standards.
Q10.What is the CDS OTA age limit criteria?
The age limit to apply for the CDS examination for the post of Officers Training Academy or CDS OTA is 19 to 25 years as on 1st July of the year of examination. The candidates must be unmarried male or female candidates with a degree from a recognized university to be eligible to apply. The maximum age is relaxable by 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC/ST candidates.
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