CDS Eligibility Criteria 2022, Age limit, educational qualifications and other details here

 

CDS Eligibility Criteria 2022

UPSC CDS eligibility is defined along with the following parameters:

• Nationality
• Age Limit
• Educational Qualifications

The details of each are as follows:

CDS Eligibility Criteria: Nationality

A candidate must be 

1. A Citizen of India,
2. A subject of Bhutan or Nepal
3. A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1962 intending to permanently settle in India,
4. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India. 

CDS Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit

The age limit for the different academies is as follows:

Academy	Age Limit
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	19 – 24 Years
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	19 - 22 Years
Air Force Academy	19 - 23 Years
Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course)	19 - 25 Years
Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men)	19 - 25 Years

CDS Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualification

The UPSC has established minimal educational requirements for CDS; in order to be eligible for CDS, aspirants must meet these requirements. The candidates must meet the educational criterion by being graduates of an accredited university. The following instructions for candidates must be noted:

• Candidates who selected the Army, Navy, or Air Force as their first choice must present their graduation certificate at the SSB interview.
• Candidates who are in their final year of graduation can apply as long as they have no backlog; however, they must present their passing degree certificate prior to the start of the course.

Academy	Educational Qualification
Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)	Graduation from a recognized university
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	An engineering degree from a recognized university/institute
Air Force Academy (AFA)	Bachelor of Engineering or Graduation (with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12)

 

CDS Eligibility Criteria: Medical Standards

Candidates should ensure that they are physically and mentally fit as a lot of candidates are rejected on the basis of medical disqualifications.

To know more about CDS read here:

NDA Vs CDS

CDS Exam Pattern

Territorial Army Eligibility

 

CDS Eligibility Criteria: Marital Status

The details of the marital status are as follows:

Academy	Gender	Marital Status
Indian Military Academy	Male	Unmarried
Indian Naval Academy	Male	Unmarried
Air Force Academy	Male	Unmarried
Officers' Training Academy	Male	Unmarried
Officers'Training Academy	Female	Unmarried/Widows (not remarried)/Divorcees ((in possession of divorce documents)

 
How To Prepare GK For NDA And CDS 2022: Get Expert Tips Here!

CDS Eligibility Criteria: Physical Parameters 

• The applicant must have good physical and mental health and should be free from diseases and disabilities.
• The candidates are advised to rectify minor defects/ailments.
  Permanent body tattoos are only allowed from the wrist to the inside of the elbow and on the hand’s backside. Tattoos on any other body part are not acceptable.
  Candidates belonging to tribes who have tattoos/ marks on the face/ body as part of their custom/ traditions will be allowed on a special case basis.
• The chest should not be less than 81cm after full expansion. The expansion of the chest after full inspiration should be more than 5cm. X-ray of the chest will be taken to examine any kind of disease.
• Bones/Joints should not be impaired of any function. These should be developed properly.
• The candidate should not have any history of mental breakdown/ fits.
• Un-operated Hernia will lead to disqualification. In the case of operated Hernia, it should be operated before 1 year to the final medical examination.
• The liver and spleen of the candidate should be of normal size.
• The hearing should be normal. The candidate should be able to hear a whisper with each ear at a distance of 610 cms. There should not be any disease of the ear, nose, and throat.
• Blood Pressure should be normal.
• There should not be any functional or organic disease of the heart and blood vessels.
• There should be no hydrocele, varicocele or piles, or any kind of skin disease.
• Any kind of disease of the internal organs of the abdomen will lead to disqualification.
• Examination of urine will also be done and any abnormality if found, will lead to disqualification.
• The applicant should have a sufficient number of natural and sound teeth. There should be a minimum of 14 dental points.
• USG abdomen examination will be performed and any congenital structural anomaly will lead to disqualification.
• Candidate should not be of weak constitution, overweight/underweight.

The guidelines and standards mentioned above are as per the criteria set by UPSC and the defense forces. 

NDA Syllabus find out here.

CDS Physical Fitness: Undesirable Health Issues

The candidate must not be suffering from any of these minor conditions at the time of the NDA medical exam as that would lead to the candidate’s ineligibility:

• Wax (Ears)
• Deviated Nasal Septum
• Hydrocele / Phimosis
• Condition of Overweight / Underweight
• Under Sized Chest
• Piles
• Tonsillitis
• Gynaecomastia
• Varicocele

CDS Physical Fitness: Case of Body Tattoos

• The candidates must ensure that the permanent body tattoos (if there) should only be present on the inner side of the forearm. 
• Under no circumstances will UPSC accept tattoos on the inside of the elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of the palm/back (dorsal) side of the hand. 
• Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body are also not acceptable.
• In case the candidate happens to belong to a tribe where it is customary to have tattoo marks on the face or body, acceptance will be granted on a case-to-case basis, considering the traditions involved. The decision of authorities would be final in such instances.

AFCAT Eligibility 2022: Check Age Limit, Educational Qualifications, Physical Standards!

CDS  Height and Weight Requirements For Applicants

• Body Mass Index should be below 25.
• The minimum acceptable height for male candidates is 157.5 cms. (157 cms for Navy and 162.5 cms for Air Force).
• For Women candidates minimum acceptable height is 152 cms.
• For Gorkhas and individuals belonging to hills of the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwali and Kumaon, the Minimum acceptable height will be 5 cms less.
• In the case of candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum acceptable height can be reduced by 2 cms. However, the minimum height for all entries.

 

The details in this regard are discussed below.

Height (cm)	Weight (KG) wrt Age (yrs)
Minimum weight for all ages	Age: 17 to 20 yrs	Age: 20+01 day - 30 yrs	Age: 30 + 01 day - 40 yrs	Age: Above 40 yrs
140	35.3	43.1	45.1	47.0	49.0
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	45.0	47.0	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	49.0	51.2	53.3
147	38.9	47.5	49.7	51.9	54.0
148	39.4	48.2	50.4	52.6	54.8
149	40.0	48.8	51.1	53.3	55.5
150	40.5	49.5	51.8	54.0	56.3
151	41.0	50.2	52.4	54.7	57.0
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	56.0	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
160	46.1	56.3	58.9	61.4	64.0
161	46.7	57.0	59.6	62.2	64.8
162	47.2	57.7	60.4	63.0	65.6
163	47.8	58.5	61.1	63.8	66.4
164	48.4	59.2	61.9	64.6	67.2
165	49.0	59.9	62.6	65.3	68.1
166	49.6	60.6	63.4	66.1	68.9
167	50.2	61.4	64.1	66.9	69.7
168	50.8	62.1	64.9	67.7	70.6
169	51.4	62.8	65.7	68.5	71.4
170	52.0	63.6	66.5	69.4	72.3
171	52.6	64.3	67.3	70.2	73.1
172	53.3	65.1	68.0	71.0	74.0
173	53.9	65.8	68.8	71.8	74.8
174	54.5	66.6	69.6	72.7	75.7
175	55.1	67.4	70.4	73.5	76.6
176	55.8	68.1	71.2	74.3	77.4
177	56.4	68.9	72.1	75.2	78.3
178	57.0	69.7	72.9	76.0	79.2
179	57.7	70.5	73.7	76.9	80.1
180	58.3	71.3	74.5	77.8	81.0
181	59.0	72.1	75.4	78.6	81.9
182	59.6	72.9	76.2	79.5	82.8
183	60.3	73.7	77.0	80.4	83.7
184	60.9	74.5	77.9	81.3	84.6
185	61.6	75.3	78.7	82.1	85.6
186	62.3	76.1	79.6	83.0	86.5
187	62.9	76.9	80.4	83.9	87.4
188	63.6	77.8	81.3	84.8	88.4
189	64.3	78.6	82.2	85.7	89.3
190	65.0	79.4	83.0	86.6	90.3
191	65.7	80.3	83.9	87.6	91.2
192	66.4	81.1	84.8	88.5	92.2
193	67.0	81.9	85.7	89.4	93.1
194	67.7	82.8	86.6	90.3	94.1
195	68.4	83.7	87.5	91.3	95.1
196	69.1	84.5	88.4	92.2	96.0
197	69.9	85.4	89.3	93.1	97.0
198	70.6	86.2	90.2	94.1	98.0
199	71.3	87.1	91.1	95.0	99.0
200	72.0	88.0	92.0	96.0	100.0
201	72.7	88.9	92.9	97.0	101.0
202	73.4	89.8	93.8	97.9	102.0
203	74.2	90.7	94.8	98.9	103.0
204	74.9	91.6	95.7	99.9	104.0
205	75.6	92.5	96.7	100.9	105.1
206	76.4	93.4	97.6	101.8	106.1
207	77.1	94.3	98.6	102.8	107.1
208	77.9	95.2	99.5	103.8	108.2
209	78.6	96.1	100.5	104.8	109.2
210	79.4	97.0	101.4	105.8	110.3

 

CDS Eligibility Criteria: Other Physical Standards

Other than heights and weight ratio, there are several physical criteria that candidates should meet to prove their physical fitness:

Visual Standards

UPSC has specified three types of visual standards for all academies: 

For IMA and OTA

• Uncorrected vision(max allowed) - 6/60 &6/60 
• BCVA - Rt 6/6 & Lt 6/6
• Myopia - < -3.50 D Sph ( including max astigmatism ≤ +/- 2.0 D Cyl) 
• Hypermetropia - <+3.50 dSph ( including max astigmatism ≤ +/- 2.0 D Cyl) 
• Lasik/equivalent surgery - Permitted
• Colour perception: CP II 

Male	Female
Vision (corrected) better eye 6/6 and worse eye 6/12	Vision(corrected) better eye 6/6, worse eye 6/12
Myopia of not more than minus 3.5 D	Myopia of not more than minus 5.5 D
Manifest hypermetropia should be less than plus 3.5 D including Astigmatism	Manifest hypermetropia should be less than plus 3.5 D including Astigmatism.

For Naval Candidates

• Uncorrected without glasses: 6/12, 6/12 
• Corrected with glasses: 6/6, 6/6 
• Limits of Myopia: -1.5D
• Limits of Hypermetropia : +1.5D 
• Binocular Vision: III 
• Limits of Colour Perception: I

For Air Force 

Candidates who habitually wear spectacles are not eligible for Air Force. Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other correctable to 6/6 only.

Hypermetropia Colour Vision CP-1 

• Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph 
• Manifest Myopia: Nil 
• Retinoscopic Myopia- 0.5 in any meridian 
• Astigmatism : +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 D- Max)

Maddox Rod Test

•  at 6 meters:

1. Exo-6 prism D
2. Eso-6 prism D
3. Hyper-1 prism D
4. Hypo-1prism D 

•  at 33 cms:

1. Exo-16 prism D 
2. Eso-6 prism D 
3. Hyper-1 prism D
4. Hypo-1 prism D

* Lasik/equivalent surgery

Candidates who have undergone any kerato-refractive procedures are required to show certificate/ operative notes from the medical center specified the date, type of surgery, and procedure. The candidates also need to fulfill following criteria to be considered fit.

• More than 20 yrs of age at the time of surgery.
• Minimum 12 months post LASIK
• Central corneal thickness equal to or more than 450 µ 
• The axial length by IOL Master equal to or less than 26 mm 
• Residual refraction of less than or equal to +/- 1.0 D incl cylinder, (provided acceptable in the category applied for). 
• A normal healthy retina. 
• Corneal topography and ectasia markers can also be included as additional criteria. 

Hearing Standards for Air Force

Conditions related to ear and hearing standards are: 

1. Speech test: Free Field hearing loss is a cause for rejection. Any reduction of less than 600 cm in CV/FW is not acceptable. 
2. Audiometric Test: Audiometric loss should not be greater than 20 dB, in frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz. On the recommendation of an ENT Specialist, an isolated unilateral hearing loss up to 30 DB may be condoned provided ENT examination is otherwise normal. 
3. A radical/modified radical mastoidectomy entails rejection even if completely epithelialized and good hearing is preserved. Cases of cortical mastoidectomy in the past with the tympanic membrane intact, normal hearing, and presenting no evidence of disease may be accepted. 
4. Cases of chronic otitis externa accompanied by exostoses or unduly narrow meat will be rejected. Exaggerated tortuosity of the canal, obliterating the anterior view of the tympanic membrane will be a cause for rejection.
5. Tympanoplasty Type I is acceptable twelve weeks after surgery, provided the ear clearance test in the altitude chamber is normal. The following middle ear conditions will entail rejection:- 
6. Attic, central or marginal perforation. 
7. Tympanic membrane scar with marked retraction.
8. Tympanoplasty Type II onward but not type I. 
9. Calcareous plaques (tympanosclerosis) if occupying more than 1/3 of pars tensa. 
10. Middle ear infection. 
11. Granulation or polyp in the external auditory canal. 
12. Stapedectomy operation. 
13. Otosclerosis 
14. Meniere’s disease
15. Vestibular dysfunction including nystagmus of vestibular origin.
16. Bell’s palsy following an ear infection. 

Spinal Conditions for Air Force 

Past medical history of diseases or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints, either with or without objective signs which have prevented the candidate from successfully following a physically active life, is a cause for rejection for commissioning in IAF. History of spinal fracture/prolapsed intervertebral disc and surgical treatment for these conditions will entail rejection. The following conditions detected during the medical exam will disqualify a candidate for Air Force service. 

1. The granulomatous disease of the spine
2. Arthritis/Spondylosis:
   • Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders
   • Ankylosing spondylitis
   • Osteoarthrosis, spondylosis, and degenerative joint diseases
   • Non-articular rheumatism (e.g. lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago, etc.)
   • Miscellaneous disorders including SLE, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, vasculitis.
   •  Spondylolisthesis/ spondylolysis/ spondylosis
3. Compression fracture of vertebrae
4. Scheuermann’s disease (Adolescent Kyphosis)
5. Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of the cervical spine.
6.  Unilateral/bilateral cervical ribs with a demonstrable neurological or circulatory deficit.

Physical Conditioning

Prospective candidates are advised to keep themselves in good physical condition by following the below-mentioned routine.

• Running: 2 to 4 km in 15 minutes
• Pushups & Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
• Chin-ups: Min. 8
• Rope Climbing: 3 to 4 meters
• Skipping

Dental Conditions

Conditions related to Dental standards and problems for CDS candidates are: 

1. Incipient pathological conditions of the jaws, which are known to be progressive or recurrent. 
2. Significant jaw discrepancies between the upper and lower jaw may hamper efficient mastication and/or speech will be a cause for rejection.
3. Symptomatic Temporo-Mandibular Joint has clicking and tenderness is subject to rejection. 
4. A mouth opening of less than 30 mm measured at the incisal edges, Dislocation of the TMJ on wide opening.
5.  All potentially cancerous conditions.
6.  Clinical diagnosis for submucous fibrosis with or without the restriction of mouth opening.
7. Poor oral health status in the form of gross visible calculus, periodontal pockets, and/or bleeding from gums.
8.  Loose teeth: More than two mobile teeth will render the candidate unfit.
9. Cosmetic or post-traumatic maxillofacial surgery/trauma will be UNFIT for at least 24 weeks from the date of surgery/injury whichever is later.
10. If malocclusion of teeth is hampering efficient mastications maintenance of oral hygiene or general nutrition or performance of duties efficiently. 

Chest Conditions

The candidates with any of the following conditions will be rejected on medical grounds even if they fulfill all the other eligibility criteria.

• Tuberculosis, or evidence of tuberculosis, lesions of lungs, heart, musculoskeletal lesions of the chest wall 
• Abdomen and Genitor-urinary System: Problems like Hernia, undescended testis, varicocele, organomegaly, solitary kidney, horseshoe kidney & cysts in the kidney/liver, Gall bladder stones, renal and ureteric stones, lesions/deformities of urogenital organs, piles, sinuses, and lymphadenitis/pathy 

Nervous System 

• Tremors, and speech impediments, as well as imbalance, are not allowed.
• Skin Problems: Vitiligo, haemangiomas, warts, corns, dermatitis, skin infections
• Growths and hyperhidrosis are not allowed. 

Other Important Facts

The following conditions detected on X-ray examination will be disqualifying for entry to Army and Navy.

1. The granulomatous disease of the spine.
2. Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis & allied disorders and ankylosing spondylitis
3. Scoliosis more than 100 degrees as measured by Cobb's method.
4. More than mild Kyphosis/Lordosis.
5. Spondylolisthesis/Spondylosis/Spondylolysis.
6. Herniated nucleus pulposus.
7. Compression fracture of Vertebra.
8. Sacralisation Disease.
9. Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or Circulatory deficit.
10. Presence of Schmorl's node at more than one level.
11.  Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial anomalies.
12. Incomplete Sacralisation Unilateral or Bilateral.
13. Spina Bifida is other than SV 1 and LV 5.
14. Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist

General Guidelines of Medical Standards

To be a ‘Medically fit’ person, candidates have to be in good physical and mental health. They also need to be free from any kind of disease or syndrome. In the following paragraphs, the detailed guidelines of Medical standards for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA: 

1. The candidate also should be free of any medical conditions which lead them to visit medical facilities or use any aid/drugs.
2. There should be no proof of a weak constitution, imperfect development of any system, any congenital deformities/ diseases/syndrome, or malformation. 
3. No swelling/s including tumors/cyst/swollen lymph node/s anywhere on the body will be allowed. 
4. No impediment of speech due to any etiology. 
5. No disease/disability/ congenital anomaly/syndrome of the bones or cartilages of the nose, or palate, nasal polyps, or disease of the nasopharynx, uvula, and accessory sinuses. There should be no nasal deformity and no features of chronic tonsillitis. 
6.  No disease /syndrome/disability of the throat, palate tonsils or gums, or any disease or injury affecting the normal function of either mandibular joint. 
7. No disease /syndrome/disability of the heart and blood vessels including congenital, genetic, organic incl hypertension, and conduction disorders. 
8. No evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis or previous history of this disease or any other disease /syndrome/disability chronic disease of the lungs and chest including allergies /immunological conditions, connective tissue disorders, musculoskeletal deformities of chest.
9. No digestive system disorders, such as endocrine, congenital, inherited, or genetic diseases or impairments, or abnormalities of the liver or pancreas.
10. No reticuloendothelial system, endocrine system, or syndrome illnesses.
11. There are no genito-urinary system illnesses, syndromes, or disabilities, such as organ or gland abnormalities or atrophy or hypertrophy.
12. No congenital, latent, or current venereal disease.
13. No history of any indications of a mental illness, epilepsy, urinary incontinence, or enuresis.
14. No musculoskeletal disorder, deformity, or syndrome affecting the joints, including the head, spine, and limbs.
15. There are no inherited or congenital diseases, syndromes, or disabilities.
16. It will be deemed healthy to have neither sinuses nor fistulas anyplace on the body.
17. No hyper- or hypopigmentation, or any other skin disorders, syndromes, or diseases.
18. On the body, there isn't a hernia.
19. There are no scars that could compromise functionality or significantly alter appearance.
20. The body has no arterio-venous malformations.
21. There are no scars indicating prior surgical interference or malformations such sinuses and fistulae on the head or face, including asymmetry, deformity from fracture or depression of the skull bones.
22. No visual impairment, even in terms of colour perception or field.
23. No deformities or disabilities, in-ear vestibulo-cochlear system, or hearing impairment

The following ocular diseases will make a candidate unfit :

• Ptosis.
• Corneal Opacity.
• Pterygium.
• Lenticular opacity.
• Uveitis.
• Nystagmus.
• Entropion/Ectropion.
• Squint.
• Night blindness.
• Retinal lesions.
• Naso-Lacrimal occlusion. 

 

Also know: 

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern

IAS Exam Pattern

UPSC Eligibility Criteria