CDS eligibility: age limit, relaxation, fee and qualification
Read from Union Public Service Commission's own notice: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 (Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II), dated 20 May 2026. Shishya read it on 26 Oct 2026. Open the official notice.
CDS (II) 2026 notice. CDS (I) 2027 was not yet notified on 26 Oct 2026. A newer notice can change any of this — confirm on www.upsc.gov.in before you apply.
Am I eligible for CDS?
Type your date of birth, category and qualification. The answer is as per the notice dated 20 May 2026.
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Age limit and qualification by post
19 to 24-25 years (by post) on 1 Jul 2027 for General Age is counted on 1 Jul 2027.
| Post | Age (General) | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 163rd (DE) Course, July 2027 - 100 vacancies (13 NCC 'C')For men only | Born 1 Jul 2003 to 1 Jul 2008 (19-24) | Degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Unmarried men only; born not earlier than 1 July 2003 and not later than 1 July 2008.Final-year students may apply. |
| Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Executive (GS)/Hydro, July 2027 - 26 vacanciesFor men only | Born 1 Jul 2003 to 1 Jul 2008 (19-24) | Engineering degree, or B.Sc. with Physics as core/elective (Physics and Maths at 10+2). Unmarried men; born 1 July 2003 to 1 July 2008.Final-year students may apply. |
| Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - 222 F(P) Course, July 2027 - 32 vacancies | Born 1 Jul 2003 to 1 Jul 2007 (20-24) | Degree of a recognised university with Physics and Maths at 10+2, or B.E. Born 1 July 2003 to 1 July 2007 (age as on 1 July 2027); up to 26 (born from 1 July 2001) for holders of a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence. Under-25s must be unmarried.Final-year students may apply. |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai - 126th SSC (Men) NT Course, Oct 2027 - 275 vacanciesFor men only | Born 1 Jul 2002 to 1 Jul 2008 (19-25) | Degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Unmarried men; born 1 July 2002 to 1 July 2008.Final-year students may apply. |
| Officers' Training Academy, Chennai - 126th SSC Women NT Course, Oct 2027 - 18 vacanciesFor women only | Born 1 Jul 2002 to 1 Jul 2008 (19-25) | Degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Unmarried women, or issueless widows/divorcees not remarried; born 1 July 2002 to 1 July 2008.Final-year students may apply. |
Age relaxation by category
No relaxation by category in the notice
- No category-wise (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) age relaxation stated - same birth-date windows for all
- AFA only: upper age relaxable to 26 for valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders
- Male divorcees/widowers are not treated as unmarried and are ineligible
Application fee
- ₹200: All candidates except female, SC and ST (OBC/EWS must pay full fee)
- ₹0: All female candidates and SC/ST candidates
Fee not refundable and cannot be held for another exam.
Other conditions in the notice
- Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal, or specified persons of Indian origin with certificate of eligibility
- Final-year degree students may apply; proof of passing due by 1 July 2027 (IMA/INA), 13 May 2027 (AFA), 1 Oct 2027 (OTA)
- Physical standards per Appendix-III
- Marriage not permitted during training
Questions
What is the age limit for CDS?
19 to 24-25 years (by post) on 1 Jul 2027 for General, as per the notice dated 20 May 2026 (Union Public Service Commission). Confirm on https://www.upsc.gov.in.
What age relaxation does CDS give?
No relaxation by category in the notice, as per the notice dated 20 May 2026. Confirm on https://www.upsc.gov.in.
What is the CDS application fee?
₹200: All candidates except female, SC and ST (OBC/EWS must pay full fee); ₹0: All female candidates and SC/ST candidates (as per the notice dated 20 May 2026).
What qualification is needed for CDS?
Indian Military Academy, Dehradun - 163rd (DE) Course, July 2027 - 100 vacancies (13 NCC 'C'): Degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Unmarried men only; born not earlier than 1 July 2003 and not later than 1 July 2008. Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala - Executive (GS)/Hydro, July 2027 - 26 vacancies: Engineering degree, or B.Sc. with Physics as core/elective (Physics and Maths at 10+2). Unmarried men; born 1 July 2003 to 1 July 2008. Air Force Academy, Hyderabad - 222 F(P) Course, July 2027 - 32 vacancies: Degree of a recognised university with Physics and Maths at 10+2, or B.E. Born 1 July 2003 to 1 July 2007 (age as on 1 July 2027); up to 26 (born from 1 July 2001) for holders of a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence. Under-25s must be unmarried. Officers' Training Academy, Chennai - 126th SSC (Men) NT Course, Oct 2027 - 275 vacancies: Degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Unmarried men; born 1 July 2002 to 1 July 2008. Officers' Training Academy, Chennai - 126th SSC Women NT Course, Oct 2027 - 18 vacancies: Degree from a recognised university or equivalent. Unmarried women, or issueless widows/divorcees not remarried; born 1 July 2002 to 1 July 2008. (as per the notice dated 20 May 2026).
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These facts are paraphrased from the official notice linked above, read with AI help; the notice is the final word. Ex-servicemen, government employees, widows and other special relaxations are listed in the notes above, not in the check.