Age Limit for NDA, CDS, and AFCAT-1 2024 Exams

The path to a career in the armed forces of a nation is laden with aspirations and dedication. In India, every year, lakhs of candidates compete in the NDA, CDS, and AFCAT exams to join the prestigious defence academies and serve the nation. However, the journey towards achieving this dream is governed not only by one’s passion and commitment but also by certain age limits set forth by these exams. In this article, we will provide you with complete details related to the age limit set for the NDA 1, CDS 1, and AFCAT 1 exams in 2024. Read on to learn more about the age limit for the NDA 1 2024 exam, the CDS 1 2024 exam, and the AFCAT 1 2024 exam.

What will you learn in this post?

If you wish to apply for the NDA 1 2024 exam, you will get to know the age limit for the NDA 1 2024 exam in this post.

If your dream is to serve the nation by cracking the CDS exam, you can check the age limit for the CDS 1 2024 exam for all academies whether it is IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.

If you want to crack the AFCAT 1 2024 exam and join the Indian Air Force, you will get to know the AFCAT 1 2024 age limit in this article.

CDS 1 2024 Age Limit

Academies	Date of Birth
Indian Military Academy (IMA)	2nd January 2001 to 1st January 2006
Indian Naval Academy (INA)	2nd January 2001 to 1st January 2006
Air Force Academy (AFA)	2nd January 2001 to 1st January 2005
Officers Training Academy OTA (Men)	2nd January 2000 to 1st January 2006
Officers Training Academy OTA (Women)	2nd January 2000 to 1st January 2006

For AFA, the upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable for up to 26 years. Thus, for such candidates, the CDS 1 2024 age limit is from 2nd January 1999 to 1st January 2005.

NDA 1 2024 Age Limit

For NDA 1 2024: Candidates should be born between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008.

Candidates who are going to apply for the NDA exam must ensure that they meet the NDA 1 2024 age limit as specified by the UPSC. It should be noted that the NDA 1 2024 date of birth will be taken from 2nd July 2005 to 1st July 2008. In simple words, you must have been born not earlier than 2nd July 2005 and not later than 1st July 2008.

AFCAT 1 2024 Age Limit

Flying Branch – 20 to 24 years as of 01 January 2025

Born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2005 (both dates inclusive)

Special consideration for Flying Branch: The upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable for up to 26 years.

Born between 02 January 1999 to 01 January 2005 (both dates inclusive).

Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch – 20 to 26 years as of 01 January 2025

Born between 02 January 1999 to 01 January 2005 (both dates inclusive)

Educational Qualification for NDA, CDS, and AFCAT 1 2024 Exams

NDA 1 2024 Educational Qualification

Candidates interested in joining the National Defence Academy should ensure they meet the NDA 1 2024 educational qualification requirements.

If you want to join the Army Wing of NDA, then 10+2 from any stream is the minimum qualification.

On the other hand, if you prefer joining the Indian Air Force or the Indian Navy wing of NDA, then you should have passed the 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics.

Furthermore, candidates who are in the 12th grade currently can also apply for the NDA 1 2024 exam.

CDS 1 2024 Educational Qualification

The educational qualifications for CDS 1 2024 are different for different academies.

For IMA and OTA (both men and women), candidates should graduate in any stream from a recognized University.

For INA, candidates should possess an engineering degree from a recognized university.

For AFA, the combination of physics and mathematics at the 10+2 level is a must. Besides, candidates should also possess a graduation degree or preferably a Bachelor of Engineering.

AFCAT 1 2024 Educational Qualification

Particulars

Details

Flying Branch:

60% in Maths and Physics at Class 12 and Graduation in any discipline with 60% Or
BE/BTech with 60% or equivalent

Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics):

Passed Class 10+2 with 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics and four years degree Engineering/ Technology

Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical):

Candidates must have passed 10+2 with 60% in Physics and Mathematics and degree/integrated post-graduation in Engineering/Technology

Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch

Weapon Systems Branch

Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level.
Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks.

BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

Administration Branch

Graduate Degree (Minimum three-year degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university with 60% marks or equivalent

Accounts Branch

B.Com degree (minimum three-year degree course) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

Logistics Branch

Graduate Degree (Minimum three-year degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university with 60% marks or equivalent

Education Branch

Passed 10+2 and Post-Graduation with 50% in any discipline and with 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline

Meteorology Branch

Post Graduation Degree in any science stream.
All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers post-graduation.

The educational qualifications for AFCAT 1 2024 may vary as per the different branches of the Indian Air Force. Therefore, candidates are advised to read the AFCAT educational qualification carefully and then apply for the exam.

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