UPSC CDS Eligibility 2026, Check the UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination 2026 eligibility, educational qualification, age limit, nationality, marital status, selection process and other important conditions for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
1. UPSC CDS 2026 Exam Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Level | National / All India Level |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation or course-specific qualification |
| Selection Process | Written Examination, SSB Interview and Medical Examination |
| Training Academies | IMA, INA, AFA and OTA |
| Type of Examination | Defence Entrance Examination |
2. Conducting Authority
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination, commonly known as the UPSC CDS Exam.
The examination is conducted for admission to officer training courses at the following defence academies:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
3. UPSC CDS Educational Qualification 2026
The educational qualification for the UPSC CDS Examination depends on the academy or course selected by the candidate.
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | A Degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Degree in Engineering from a recognised university or institution. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | A Degree from a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering / Technology degree. |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | A Degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification. |
4. UPSC CDS Age Limit 2026
The age limit for the UPSC CDS Examination is different for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA. UPSC determines eligibility through the candidate’s date of birth for the specific examination and course.
| Academy | General Age Range |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Generally around 19 to 24 years, depending on the specific CDS notification and course. |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Generally around 19 to 24 years, depending on the specific CDS notification and course. |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Generally 20 to 24 years, subject to the conditions prescribed in the notification. |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | Generally around 19 to 25 years, depending on the specific CDS notification and course. |
Important: Candidates should always check the exact date-of-birth range mentioned in the latest CDS 2026 notification because the eligible birth dates differ between CDS I and CDS II and also depend on the academy.
5. Minimum and Maximum Age
- Minimum Age: Usually around 19 years, depending on the academy and specific CDS notification.
- Maximum Age: Generally between 24 and 25 years, depending on the academy and course.
- Air Force Academy: The standard age range is generally 20 to 24 years. Candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence may receive the benefit allowed under the applicable UPSC rules.
UPSC uses the date of birth recorded in the candidate’s Matriculation or Secondary School Examination Certificate for age verification.
6. Category-Wise Age Relaxation
Unlike many other competitive examinations, the UPSC CDS Examination does not normally provide standard SC, ST or OBC category-wise upper age relaxation.
- The age eligibility is mainly based on the academy and the date-of-birth range specified in the notification.
- SC, ST and OBC candidates must also satisfy the prescribed age and date-of-birth conditions.
- Any special relaxation or exception mentioned in the official notification will apply only according to the applicable rules.
- For certain Air Force Academy candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence, a higher upper age limit may be permitted according to the official notification.
7. Nationality Requirements
A candidate must satisfy the nationality requirements prescribed by UPSC for the Combined Defence Services Examination.
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India, subject to the conditions prescribed by the Government of India.
Where a certificate of eligibility is required, the candidate must obtain it according to the applicable Government of India rules.
8. Marital Status and Other Eligibility Conditions
Marital status requirements are important in the CDS Examination and vary according to the academy and course.
- IMA and INA: Generally open to unmarried male candidates who satisfy the prescribed conditions.
- AFA: Marital status conditions and age requirements apply according to the official notification.
- OTA Men: Generally intended for unmarried male candidates who meet the prescribed conditions.
- OTA Women: Eligible categories generally include unmarried women and, subject to the prescribed conditions, certain issueless widows and issueless divorcees who have not remarried.
Candidates must also meet the required physical and medical standards for admission to the respective defence academy.
9. Number of Attempts
The UPSC CDS Examination does not prescribe a fixed numerical limit on the number of attempts.
- The prescribed age and date-of-birth requirements.
- The educational qualification requirements.
- The nationality requirements.
- The applicable marital status conditions.
- The physical and medical fitness standards.
10. UPSC CDS Selection Process and Examination Stages
Stage 1: Written Examination
The UPSC CDS written examination is the first stage of selection. The papers depend on the academy selected by the candidate.
- IMA, INA and AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
- OTA: English and General Knowledge.
Stage 2: SSB Interview
Candidates who qualify the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview conducted by the respective defence authorities.
Stage 3: Medical Examination
Candidates recommended by the SSB must undergo a medical examination and satisfy the prescribed medical and physical standards.
Stage 4: Final Merit and Training
Final selection is based on merit, eligibility, medical fitness, available vacancies and fulfilment of all other conditions. Selected candidates undergo training at the allotted defence academy.
11. Important Points for UPSC CDS Candidates
- Check the educational qualification carefully for the academy you want to join.
- Engineering qualification is compulsory for the Indian Naval Academy.
- Physics and Mathematics requirements are important for Air Force Academy eligibility.
- Check your exact date-of-birth eligibility from the latest CDS notification.
- There is generally no standard SC, ST or OBC age relaxation for CDS.
- Marital status requirements must be checked carefully before applying.
- There is no fixed numerical limit on the number of CDS attempts, but candidates must remain within the prescribed eligibility conditions.
- Qualifying the written examination is necessary to move to the SSB selection stage.
- Physical and medical fitness is compulsory for final selection.
- Keep your educational certificates, date-of-birth proof, identity documents and other required records ready.
- Always read the latest official UPSC CDS notification before submitting the application.
12. UPSC CDS Eligibility 2026: Short Summary
The UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination 2026 is conducted for candidates who want to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers through the IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
Candidates generally need a graduation degree, but the Indian Naval Academy requires an engineering qualification, while the Air Force Academy has additional academic requirements.
The UPSC CDS age limit varies according to the academy and the specific CDS notification. Candidates must also meet the required nationality, marital status, physical fitness and medical standards.
The selection process includes the UPSC written examination, SSB interview and medical examination. There is no fixed numerical limit on attempts as long as the candidate remains eligible under the prescribed age and other conditions.
