CDS age limit at a glance
- IMA and Indian Naval Academy: 19 to 24, unmarried men.
- Air Force Academy: 20 to 24 (up to 26 with a valid Commercial Pilot Licence). Candidates under 25 must be unmarried.
- Officers’ Training Academy (SSC): 19 to 25. Unmarried men; unmarried women, and issueless widows or divorcees who have not remarried.
There is no category-based relaxation. Each notice states the exact birth-date range for every academy.
Dates of birth by academy
CDS (I) 2027 Expected, not yet notified
Not notified yet. UPSC's calendar puts the notification on 2 December 2026 and the exam on 11 April 2027. Dates assume the CDS (II) 2026 pattern, six months later.
| Entry | Born between (both dates included) | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 1 Jan 2004 – 1 Jan 2009 | Unmarried men, 19 to 24. |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 1 Jan 2004 – 1 Jan 2009 | Unmarried men, 19 to 24. |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 1 Jan 2004 – 1 Jan 2008 | 20 to 24. Candidates under 25 must be unmarried. |
| AFA with a valid Commercial Pilot Licence | 1 Jan 2002 – 1 Jan 2008 | Upper age relaxed to 26 for current CPL holders. Candidates under 25 must be unmarried. |
| OTA (SSC men) | 1 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2009 | Unmarried men, 19 to 25. |
| OTA (SSC women, non-technical) | 1 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2009 | Unmarried women, and issueless widows or divorcees who have not remarried, 19 to 25. |
CDS (II) 2026 Official
UPSC Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II, 20 May 2026
| Entry | Born between (both dates included) | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 1 Jul 2003 – 1 Jul 2008 | Unmarried men, 19 to 24. |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 1 Jul 2003 – 1 Jul 2008 | Unmarried men, 19 to 24. |
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 1 Jul 2003 – 1 Jul 2007 | 20 to 24. Candidates under 25 must be unmarried. |
| AFA with a valid Commercial Pilot Licence | 1 Jul 2001 – 1 Jul 2007 | Upper age relaxed to 26 for current CPL holders. Candidates under 25 must be unmarried. |
| OTA (SSC men) | 1 Jul 2002 – 1 Jul 2008 | Unmarried men, 19 to 25. |
| OTA (SSC women, non-technical) | 1 Jul 2002 – 1 Jul 2008 | Unmarried women, and issueless widows or divorcees who have not remarried, 19 to 25. |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about this calculator and how to understand its results.
What is the maximum age for CDS?
24 for IMA, the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy, 26 for AFA candidates with a valid Commercial Pilot Licence, and 25 for OTA (Short Service Commission). The exact limits are given as dates of birth in each notice.
What were the CDS (II) 2026 dates of birth?
IMA and INA: 1 July 2003 to 1 July 2008. AFA: 1 July 2003 to 1 July 2007 (from 1 July 2001 with a CPL). OTA men and women: 1 July 2002 to 1 July 2008. All dates are included.
Can women apply through CDS?
Yes, for the Officers’ Training Academy (SSC women, non-technical): unmarried women, and issueless widows or divorcees who have not remarried. The CDS (II) 2026 notice lists IMA and INA for unmarried men only.
Is there age relaxation for SC, ST or OBC in CDS?
No. The CDS age limits are the same for every category.
Can married men apply for CDS?
Only for AFA if aged 25 or over, and they are not given married accommodation during training. IMA, INA and OTA require unmarried men.
Sources
- UPSC: Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026, Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II, 20 May 2026.
- UPSC calendar 2027: CDS (I) 2027 notification 2 December 2026, exam 11 April 2027.