• Updated on 10 Sept, 2026 by Arshi Ansari
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The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 specifies the conditions candidates must fulfil for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Candidates must meet the prescribed requirements related to nationality, age, educational qualification, gender, marital status, physical standards, eyesight and medical fitness. For CDS 2 2026, the age limit is 19 to 24 years for IMA and INA, 20 to 24 years for AFA, and 19 to 25 years for OTA. A recognised degree is required for IMA and OTA, while INA requires an engineering degree, and AFA requires a degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering.
The UPSC CDS 2 notification 2026 was released on May 20, 2026, and the application deadline is kept as June 9, 2026in line with the other CDS 2026 articles. The CDS 2 2026 examination is scheduled for September 13, 2026, and the CDS 2 2026 admit card was released on September 3, 2026.
Table of Contents
CDS Eligibility Criteria Important Dates 2026
The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 is part of the eligibility requirements for the CDS 2 2026 recruitment cycle. UPSC released the notification on May 20, 2026, and the application deadline is maintained as June 9, 2026. The CDS 2 admit card 2026 was released on September 3, 2026, while the written examination is scheduled for September 13, 2026.
CDS General Requirements 2026
The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 varies for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA based on educational qualification, gender eligibility and age limit. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed requirements related to CDS General Requirements 2026, nationality, marital status, physical standards and medical fitness before being considered for the respective academy.
Check: CDS Application Process 2026
CDS Height & Weight Parameters 2026
The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 includes height and weight standards that candidates must satisfy according to the applicable defence medical requirements. Candidates must maintain weight proportionate to their height and age, subject to the CDS Height & Weight Parameters 2026 applicable to their entry.
CDS Vision Standards 2026
The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 also includes eyesight and vision requirements. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed CDS Vision Standards 2026 for visual-acuity and colour-perception standards applicable to their entry. The existing table covers 10+2, graduate and postgraduate entries and is retained below.
Check: CDS Exam 2026 Syllabus
CDS Medical Standards 2026
The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 requires candidates to meet the applicable medical standards prescribed for service in the Armed Forces. The medical assessment considers CDS Medical Standards 2026, physical fitness, eyesight, hearing and the presence of conditions that may affect military training or service.
Candidates should generally satisfy the following medical requirements:
- Candidates should be free from medical conditions that affect fitness for military service.
- There should be no congenital deformity, disease, syndrome or significant malformation affecting fitness.
- There should be no significant swelling, tumour, cyst or swollen lymph node.
- Candidates should not have sinus or fistula conditions that affect fitness.
- There should be no significant skin disease or disability.
- Candidates should not have a hernia.
- There should be no scars that impair functioning or cause significant disfigurement.
- There should be no arterio-venous malformation.
- The head and face should be free from significant malformation or deformity affecting fitness.
- Vision, including colour perception and field of vision, must meet the applicable standards.
- Candidates should not have hearing impairment or relevant vestibular/cochlear disorders.
- The nose, palate, nasopharynx and related structures should meet the prescribed medical standards.
- The throat, palate, tonsils, gums and mandibular joints should be free from conditions affecting normal function.
- The cardiovascular system must meet the prescribed standards.
- Candidates should not have pulmonary tuberculosis or other significant chronic diseases of the lungs and chest.
- The digestive system, including the liver and pancreas, must meet the prescribed standards.
- The endocrine and related systems must meet the applicable medical requirements.
- The genito-urinary system must meet the prescribed standards.
- Candidates should not have relevant venereal diseases.
- There should be no history or evidence of conditions such as epilepsy or other disqualifying neurological or mental conditions.
- The musculoskeletal system, joints, skull, spine and limbs must meet the prescribed standards.
- Candidates should not have congenital or hereditary diseases or disabilities that affect military fitness.
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
What is the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026?
The CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026 covers nationality, age, educational qualification, gender, marital status, physical standards, vision requirements and medical fitness for candidates applying to IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.
Who can apply as per the CDS Eligibility Criteria 2026?
Candidates who satisfy the nationality, age, educational qualification, gender, marital-status and medical requirements prescribed for their selected academy can apply for CDS 2026.
When was the CDS 2 2026 notification released?
The CDS 2 2026 notification was released by UPSC on May 20, 2026.
When will CDS 2 2026 be conducted?
The CDS 2 2026 written examination is scheduled for September 13, 2026.
What educational qualifications are required for IMA and OTA?
Candidates applying for IMA and OTA require a graduation degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification, subject to the conditions prescribed by UPSC.
What qualifications are needed for INA and AFA?
Candidates applying for INA require an engineering degree from a recognised university. AFA candidates require a Bachelor’s degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or an Engineering degree, subject to the conditions specified by UPSC.
What is the age limit for CDS 2026?
The age limit is 19 to 24 years for IMA and INA, 20 to 24 years for AFA, and 19 to 25 years for OTA.
Are both males and females eligible for CDS 2026?
Yes. Male candidates are eligible for IMA, INA and AFA, while both male and female candidates are eligible for the OTA entry subject to the conditions specified by UPSC.
What is the minimum height requirement for CDS 2026?
The minimum height specified in the article's eligibility table is 157.5 cm for male IMA, INA and OTA candidates, 162.5 cm for male AFA candidates, and 152 cm for female OTA candidates.
What are the chest expansion requirements for male candidates?
The eligibility table specifies a minimum chest expansion of 5 cm for male candidates across the listed academies.
What are the CDS 2026 weight standards?
CDS 2026 weight requirements depend on height and age. The detailed height-weight table in the article provides the applicable weight figures across different age groups.
What are the CDS 2026 vision requirements?
Candidates must satisfy the applicable visual-acuity, refractive-error and colour-perception standards. The article's vision table provides the specified standards for the different entry categories.
Is the CDS 2 2026 admit card released?
Yes. The CDS 2 2026 admit card was released on September 3, 2026, before the examination scheduled for September 13, 2026.
What is the CDS exam centre for 2026?
The allotted CDS exam centre is communicated to candidates through the e-Admit Card. Candidates should check the admit card for their final examination venue and reporting instructions.
Does the CDS 2026 syllabus affect eligibility?
No. The CDS syllabus and CDS eligibility are separate. Eligibility determines whether a candidate can apply and meet the requirements for an academy, while the syllabus specifies the subjects and topics covered in the written examination.