CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027: Age, Qualification and Medical Standards

As per the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027 (based on the latest notifications), IMA and INA are open to unmarried men aged 19–24, AFA to candidates aged 20–24, and OTA to men and women aged 19–25. A graduate degree is required for all academies; INA and AFA also need Physics and Maths in Class 12, and INA needs an Engineering degree or a B.Sc. with Physics. Final-year students can apply. Candidates must also meet the medical standards set by the Armed Forces, including height, weight, eyesight and dental standards.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027: Overview

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027: Nationality

A candidate must be one of the following:

• A citizen of India

• A subject of Nepal

• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka or certain East African countries (such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia) or Vietnam, with the intention of settling permanently in India

Candidates in the second and third categories need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. Gorkha subjects of Nepal do not need this certificate.

CDS Age Limit 2027

Under the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027, the CDS age limit 2027 is different for each academy. It is decided by date of birth, calculated from the date the course begins.

Expected Age Limit for CDS 1 2027

Based on the pattern of the CDS 1 2026 notification, here are the expected date-of-birth ranges for CDS 1 2027:

For AFA, candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) from the DGCA get age relaxation up to 26 years.

How the Age Limit Is Calculated

• For CDS 1 2027, the dates are expected to be counted from around 1 January 2028, when the IMA, INA and AFA courses usually begin.

• For CDS 2 2027, the dates are usually counted from around 1 July 2028.

Example: If you were born on 15 March 2004, you would fall within the expected CDS 1 2027 range for IMA, INA and OTA, and for AFA too.

Important Age Rules

• The date of birth accepted is the one in your Class 10 (Matriculation) certificate.

• Once you enter a date of birth in the application, it cannot be changed later.

• There is no age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC or EWS categories in the CDS exam.

• There is no limit on the number of attempts, as long as you are within the age limit.

CDS Educational Qualification

The CDS educational qualification rules in the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027 depend on the academy you choose.

Key point: Arts and commerce graduates without Physics and Maths in Class 12 can apply for IMA and OTA, but not for INA or AFA.

Final-Year Students

Candidates in the final year or final semester of their degree can apply. They must:

• Carry a certificate from their college principal to the SSB, stating that they are appearing in the final-year exam

• Submit proof of passing the degree by the date given in the notification for each academy

For CDS II 2026, the deadlines were 13 May 2027 for AFA, 1 July 2027 for IMA and INA, and 1 October 2027 for OTA. Similar deadlines are expected for CDS 1 2027, adjusted for the course dates.

Candidates with professional or technical qualifications that the government recognises as equal to a degree are also eligible.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027: Marital Status Rules

A few more points:

• Male divorcees and widowers are not treated as unmarried, so they are not eligible.

• Candidates must not marry until they complete their full training. Anyone who marries during training is discharged.

CDS Eligibility for Women

CDS eligibility for women is limited to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, through the Short Service Commission (Non-Technical) Women course.

• Age: 19–25 years

• Education: Graduation in any stream

• Marital status: Unmarried, or issueless widow or divorcee who has not remarried

• Preference: Women candidates should select OTA as their only choice

• Papers: English and General Knowledge only

For reference, the CDS II 2026 notification had 18 vacancies for women at OTA.

Academy Preference Rules

The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027 also include rules on how to fill academy preferences:

• AFA must be your first choice if you want the Air Force. AFA chosen as a second or later option is treated as invalid.

• OTA must be your last choice if you also apply for IMA, INA or AFA.

• You are considered only for the academies you choose, so list every academy you are eligible for and willing to join.

CDS Medical Standards

The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027 also include medical fitness. Clearing the written exam and SSB is not enough. Candidates must also meet the CDS medical standards set by the Armed Forces. These are published in the Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces, which is available on joinindianarmy.nic.in.

CDS Height and Weight

• Relaxations: Candidates from certain regions, such as the hill areas of Garhwal and Kumaon, Gorkhas and the North-East, get height relaxation, usually down to around 152 cm for the Army and Navy.

• Weight: Your weight must be within the official range for your height and age. The Armed Forces use age-banded charts, not a single BMI number, so please check the chart for your height.

You may see some sites mention 157.5 cm as the Army height standard. The current manual lists 157 cm, but it's always best to check the latest official document.

Eyesight

• Vision standards are different for each service.

• Army entries allow more correction with glasses.

• Navy and especially the Air Force flying branch have stricter standards.

• Colour vision: The Navy and Air Force flying branch need normal colour perception. The Army accepts a slightly lower grade.

• LASIK and other eye surgery may be allowed for some CDS entries under specific conditions, including a waiting period after surgery. Please check the rules for your chosen service.

Older guides sometimes quote fixed numbers like "6/6 and 6/9". Standards have been updated over time, so please refer to the current official manual for exact values.

Other Medical Points

• Hearing: You should be able to hear a forced whisper at a set distance with each ear.

• Teeth: A minimum of 14 dental points is needed.

• Tattoos: Permanent tattoos are allowed only on the inner side of the forearm and the back of the hand. Tattoos on other body parts are not accepted, except case-by-case for tribal customs.

• General health: Candidates should be free from conditions such as hernia, flat feet (rigid type), spine defects, kidney stones and certain skin conditions.

Physical Standards at the Academy

Along with the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027, selected candidates joining IMA and OTA are expected to meet these minimum physical standards on arrival:

Other CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027 Rules

• Candidates in government service must inform their Head of Office in writing that they have applied.

• Armed Forces personnel must inform their Commanding Officer and submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the SSB.

• Candidates removed from an academy on disciplinary grounds are not eligible for the same courses again.

• Air Force: Candidates who have failed the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) or Pilot Aptitude Battery Test earlier, or who habitually wear spectacles, are not eligible for the Air Force.

Application Fee

The fee can be paid online by net banking, card or UPI.

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027: Quick Checklist

Before you apply, check your CDS 1 2027 eligibility:

• Your date of birth falls within the CDS age limit 2027 for your chosen academy

• Your degree (and Class 12 subjects) match the academy's requirement

• Your marital status meets the rules

• You meet the CDS medical standards, including height and weight

• You don't have tattoos outside the permitted areas

• You have filled academy preferences in the correct order

FAQs on CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027

What are the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027?
They cover nationality, age, education, marital status and medical fitness. For CDS 1 2027 eligibility, IMA and INA are expected to need unmarried men aged 19–24, AFA candidates aged 20–24, and OTA men and women aged 19–25, all with a graduate degree.

What is the CDS age limit 2027 for IMA?
The expected age limit for IMA is 19–24 years. For CDS 1 2027, candidates are expected to be born between 2 January 2004 and 1 January 2009.

Can final-year students apply under the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2027?
Yes. Final-year students can apply but must submit proof of passing their degree by the date given for their academy.

Can arts or commerce graduates apply for CDS?
Yes, for IMA and OTA, where the CDS educational qualification is any graduation. INA and AFA require Physics and Maths in Class 12.

Which academy can women join through CDS?
Under the rules for CDS eligibility for women, women can join only the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

Is there age relaxation for SC, ST or OBC candidates in CDS?
No. There is no category-based age relaxation in the CDS exam.

How many attempts are allowed in CDS?
There is no limit on attempts, as long as you meet the age limit.

What is the CDS height and weight standard?
The general minimum height is 157 cm for men in the Army and Navy, 162.5 cm for the Air Force flying branch, and 152 cm for women, with relaxation for certain regions. Weight must match the official chart for your height and age.