To be eligible for the CDS exam, candidates must:

• Nationality: Be a citizen of India.
• Education: Hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
• Age Limit:
  • Indian Military Academy (IMA) & Officers Training Academy (OTA): 19 to 24 years.
  • Naval Academy (INA): 19 to 22 years.
  • Air Force Academy (AFA): 19 to 24 years.
• Marital Status: Generally, candidates must be unmarried (specific roles may have different requirements).

Additional Requirements: For AFA, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.

There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts for the CDS exam. Candidates can apply multiple times as long as they meet the age and eligibility criteria for the respective academies. It’s important to stay updated with the latest notifications for any changes in rules.

The CDS written exam consists of different papers based on the academy:

• For IMA, INA, and AFA:
  • English: 100 marks
  • General Knowledge: 100 marks
  • Elementary Mathematics: 200 marks
  • Total: 300 marks
• For OTA:
  • English: 100 marks
  • General Knowledge: 100 marks
  • Total: 200 marks

All papers are objective type (multiple choice questions) with a duration of 2 hours for each paper.

Yes, the CDS exam includes a negative marking scheme. For each incorrect answer, a fraction of the marks (typically 1/3rd) assigned to that question is deducted from the total score. It's crucial to attempt questions with confidence to minimise the impact of negative marking.

Candidates must meet specific physical standards, including:

• Height: Men: Minimum 157.5 cm, Women: Minimum 152 cm
• Vision: Good eyesight (6/6 or 6/9) without color blindness.
• Overall Fitness: Candidates should be physically fit, free from major medical conditions or deformities.
• Additional Requirements: Specific physical criteria may vary slightly between different services (Army, Navy, Air Force). Detailed standards are provided in the official CDS notification.

Yes, female candidates can apply for the CDS exam, but their selection is limited to certain branches:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA) & Air Force Academy (AFA): Women can apply for Permanent Commission.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA): Women can apply for Short Service Commission in specific roles.
• OTA: Women are eligible for training and commissioning as officers.

It's important to check the latest CDS notification for updates on available positions and any changes in eligibility criteria for female candidates.