The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is one of the biggest selection tests in India for those willing to join the Indian Armed Forces. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), it provides a way to join the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). To navigate the selection process effectively, candidates must satisfy certain age limits, eligibility criteria, and physical standards. In this article, we will explain in detail the age limit, eligibility, height, and weight that is required for the CDS examination for different streams of the Indian Armed Forces.
Overview
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is conducted by the UPSC to select the candidates to join the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. It consists of written exams interviews and medical examinations. Below we have given CDS eligibility criteria.
| Conducting Organization | UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) |
| Exam Name | CDS (Combined Defence Services) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Frequency | Twice in a Year (April & September) |
| Exam Phases | Written Test & SSB Interview |
| Type of Questions | Objective Type |
| Language of Question Paper | Hindi and English (Except English Paper) |
| Total Marks | IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
| Time | Two hours for each section of the test |
| Official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS Eligibility Criteria:
Age Limit for INA, AFA, IMA and OTA
| Academy | Age Limit |
| INA | 19 years – 22 years |
| AFA | 19 years – 23 years |
| IMA | 19 years – 24 years |
| SSC Women Non-Tech Course – OTA | 19 – 25 years |
| SSC Course – Men – OTA | 19 – 25 years |
Educational Qualification:
- For IMA and OTA: The Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
- For INA: The candidate must have a graduation degree in Engineering from a recognized University.
- For AFA: The Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible for the CDS Exam. But female candidates can apply only for OTA whereas male candidates can apply for IMA, OTA, and AFA.
Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible for the CDS Exam; issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible.
CDS Height and Weight Chart:
| Age (years) | Minimum weight required for all ages | Age: 17 – 20 years | Age: 20 01 days -30 years | Age: 30 01 day – 40 years | Age: above 40 years |
| Height (cm) | Weight (kilogram) | Weight (kilogram) | Weight (kilogram) | Weight (kilogram) | Weight (kilogram) |
| 140 | 35.3 | 43.1 | 45.1 | 47 | 49 |
| 141 | 35.8 | 43.7 | 45.7 | 47.7 | 49.7 |
| 142 | 36.3 | 44.4 | 46.4 | 48.4 | 50.4 |
| 143 | 36.8 | 45 | 47 | 49.1 | 51.1 |
| 144 | 37.3 | 45.6 | 47.7 | 49.8 | 51.8 |
| 145 | 37.8 | 46.3 | 48.4 | 50.5 | 52.6 |
| 146 | 38.4 | 46.9 | 49 | 51.2 | 53.3 |
| 147 | 38.9 | 47.5 | 49.7 | 51.9 | 54 |
| 148 | 39.4 | 48.2 | 50.4 | 52.6 | 54.8 |
| 149 | 40 | 48.8 | 51.1 | 53.3 | 55.5 |
| 150 | 40.5 | 49.5 | 51.8 | 54 | 56.3 |
| 151 | 41 | 50.2 | 52.4 | 54.7 | 57 |
| 152 | 41.6 | 50.8 | 53.1 | 55.4 | 57.8 |
| 153 | 42.1 | 51.5 | 53.8 | 56.2 | 58.5 |
| 154 | 42.7 | 52.2 | 54.5 | 56.9 | 59.3 |
| 155 | 43.2 | 52.9 | 55.3 | 57.7 | 60.1 |
| 156 | 43.8 | 53.5 | 56 | 58.4 | 60.8 |
| 157 | 44.4 | 54.2 | 56.7 | 59.2 | 61.6 |
| 158 | 44.9 | 54.9 | 57.4 | 59.9 | 62.4 |
| 159 | 45.5 | 55.6 | 58.1 | 60.7 | 63.2 |
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