UPSC NDA & NA and CDS I Examination 2024: Age criteria for NDA and CDS explained

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released notifications for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) I 2024 and the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) I 2024 on December 20, 2023.

Prospective candidates are urged to carefully review the eligibility conditions outlined by the commission for admission to the examination, as per the official notification.

For the CDS (I) 2024 exam, the following vacancies are available:

- Indian Military Academy, Dehradun: 100

- Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala: 32

- Air Force Academy, Hyderabad: 32

- Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai (SSC Course for men): 275

- Officers Training Academy, Chennai (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): 18

For the NDA & NA (I) 2024 exam, the approximate vacancies are:

- NDA

- Army: 208

- Navy: 42

- Air Force

- Flying: 92

- Ground Duties (Tech): 18

- Ground Duties (Non-Tech): 10

- Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): 30

The age criteria for the CDS and NDA & NA (I) 2024 Examination are as follows:

- Indian Military Academy: Unmarried male candidates born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2006.

- Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2006.

- Air Force Academy: Candidates aged between 20 to 24 years as of January 1, 2025, or up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India).

- Officers' Training Academy—(SSC Course for men): Unmarried male candidates born between January 2, 2000, and January 1, 2006.

- Officers' Training Academy—(SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows, and issueless divorcees born between January 2, 2000, and January 1, 2006.

- NDA & NA (I): Only unmarried male/female candidates born between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008, are eligible to apply, according to the official notification.