CDS Eligibility Criteria 2021

To be eligible for CDS 2021 exam, candidates need to fulfil the following eligibility criteria.

Age Limits, Sex and Marital Status

For Indian Military Academy (IMA), unmarried candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1997, and not later than January 1, 2002, can only apply. 

For Indian Naval Academy (IMA), unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1997, and not later than January 1, 2002, are eligible. 

Candidates applying for Air Force Academy should be between 20 to 24 years as on January 1, 2021 (born not earlier than January 2, 1997, and not later than January 1, 2001).    

For Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for men), unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1996, and not later than January 1, 2002, are eligible for the exam.

For Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course), candidates should be unmarried and born not earlier than January 2, 1996, and not later than January 1, 2002.

Educational Qualification

For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, candidates must be a graduate.  

For Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university.

For Air Force Academy, a degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering is necessary.

Physical Fitness

Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to CDS exam.