Defence Exams Eligibility Criteria 2025
The Defence exams of India are dream jobs for Indian youth who aspire for the officer posts. Different Defence exams are conducted every year like CDS, AFCAT, IGC AC, INET, CAPF, Indian Army NCC, etc. The age limit and educational criteria for all the exams are different.
Any Indian citizen can apply for the defence jobs based on graduation for the exams like AFA, IMA, OTA, etc. and the basis of 12th or diploma for the exams like NDA, AFCAT, etc. There is no relaxation for reserved students in any of the selection criteria in Defence exams. Eligible candidates can apply for the Defence exam in an online mode. Eligibility criteria of some major Defence exams are described below:
CDS Defence Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
Combined Defence Services (CDS) exams are conducted twice a year to select different candidates for Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Army. An Indian national who is unmarried and has completed graduation from a recognized university and has not attended the age of 25 while applying are eligible for the CDS exam. Both men and women are eligible to apply for the CDS exam.
CDS Defence Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of CDS eligibility criteria 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS) |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 Minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 19 - 25 years |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline depending upon the Army wing selected |
| Exam Fees | INR 200 |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
AFCAT Defence Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
AFCAT (Air Force Commission Admission Test) exams are conducted twice a year to select engineers for Technical Branch, Flying Branch or Ground Duty Branch.
An Indian national who has completed engineering from a recognized university with branches Mechanical, Electronics or Computer Sciences and lies in the age group of 20 to 24 years while applying are eligible for the AFCAT exam. Both men and women are eligible to apply for the AFCAT exam.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of AFCAT eligibility criteria 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Commission Admission Test (AFCAT) |
| Conducting Body | IAF (Indian Air Force) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 150 minutes |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 20 - 24 years |
| Educational Qualification | Engineering in Mechanical, Electronics or Computer Science from a recognized university |
| Exam Fees | INR 250 |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
CAPF AC Defence Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
CAPF AC (Central Armed Police Forces – Assistant Commandant) exams are conducted by UPSC once a year to select candidates for Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), or Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). An Indian national who has completed graduation from a recognized university and lies in the age group of 20 to 25 years while applying are eligible for the CAPF exam. Both men and women are eligible to apply for the CAPF exam.
CAPF Defence Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of UPSC CAPF eligibility criteria 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 Minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 20 - 25 years |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Exam Fees | INR 200 |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
NDA Defense Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
National Defence Academy (NDA) exams are conducted once a year to select different candidates for Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Army.
An Indian national who is unmarried and has completed 12th from a recognized board with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects and has not attended the age of 19 while applying are eligible for the NDA exam. Only male candidates are eligible to apply for the NDA exam.
NDA Defence Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of NDA eligibility criteria 2025 are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 Minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 16 - 19 years |
| Educational Qualification | 12th from a recognized board with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects |
| Exam Fees | INR 100 |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
Candidates can download the NDA Study Material here in PDF format.
Territorial Army Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
Territorial Army exams are conducted twice a year to select different candidates for peripheral defense forces like Ecological Task Force, Infantry Battalions, Air Defense Artillery, etc. An Indian national who has completed graduation from a recognized university are eligible for the Territorial Army exam. Both men and women are eligible to apply for the Territorial Army exam.
Territorial Army Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of Territorial Army Eligibility 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Territorial Army |
| Conducting Body | The Territorial Army of India |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 4 hours (2 hrs for each part) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 18 - 42 years |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Exam Fees | INR 200 |
| Official Website | https://www.jointerritorialarmy.gov.in/ |
Indian Air Force Group C 2025: Eligibility Criteria
Indian Air Force Group C exams are conducted twice a year to select different candidates for Indian Air Force Group C basically on the post of MTS, Housekeeping, Store Keeper, Painter, Hindi Typist, etc.
An Indian national who has completed 10th/ 12th/ graduation from a recognized board or university and has not attended the age of 25 (lies in the age group of 18 – 25) while applying are eligible for the IAF Group C exam. Both men and women are eligible to apply for the IAF Group C exam.
Indian Air Force Group C Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of Indian Air Force Group C exam 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Air Force Group C |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 Minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 18 - 25 years |
| Educational Qualification | 10th/ 12th/ Graduation from recognized board or university |
| Exam Fees | INR 200 |
| Official Website | https://indianairforce.nic.in/ |
Indian Coast Guard Navik Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
Indian Coast Guard Navik exams are conducted once a year to select different candidates for the Indian Coast Guard Navik post.
An Indian national who has completed graduation from a recognized university and has not attended the age of 30 while applying are eligible for the ICG exam. Women can only apply for officer posts in the ICG exam.
ICG Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of ICG eligibility criteria exam 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Coast Guard (ICG) |
| Conducting Body | Ministry of Defence |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 200 Minutes |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 18 - 22 years |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Exam Fees | No application fees |
| Official Website | https://www.mod.gov.in/ |
IB ACIO Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
Intelligence Bureau- Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) exams are conducted once a year to select different candidates for the post of Intelligence Officer. An Indian national who is unmarried and has completed graduation from a recognized university and has not attended the age of 27 (lies in the age group of 18- 27 years) while applying are eligible for the IB ACIO exam.
Both men and women are eligible to apply for the IB ACIO exam. Candidates can download IB ACIO Previous Years’ Question Papers here in PDF files.
IB ACIO Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of IB ACIO Eligibility 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Intelligence Bureau- Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) |
| Conducting Body | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 1 hour (60 Minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 18 - 27 years |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Exam Fees | INR 600 |
| Official Website | https://www.mha.gov.in/ |
CASB Airmen Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
CASB Airmen exams are conducted twice a year to select different candidates for Indian Airmen Group X and Y. An Indian national who has completed intermediate/ 10+2/ equivalent examination from a recognized university and has not attended the age of 21 (lies in the age group of 17 – 21) while applying are eligible for the CASB Airmen exam.
CASB Airmen Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of CASB Airmen Group X and Y exam 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IAF Airmen Group X and Y |
| Conducting Body | Central Airmen Selection Board (CASB) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 85 Minutes |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 17 - 21 years |
| Educational Qualification | Intermediate in any discipline from a recognized board |
| Exam Fees | INR 250 |
| Official Website | https://airmenselection.cdac.in/CASB/ |
SSB Constable Recruitment 2025: Eligibility Criteria
SSB Constable exams are conducted once a year to select different candidates for various posts of Constable like Veterinary, Laboratory Assistant, Carpenter, Plumber, Labour, Painter, etc.
An Indian national or citizen of Nepal or Bhutan who has completed 10th from a recognized board and has not attended the age of 27 while applying are eligible for the SSB constable exam. Both men and women are eligible to apply for the SSB Constable exam.
SSB Constable Defence Recruitment 2025: Highlights
Major highlights of SSB Constable exam 2025 recruitments are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSB Constable |
| Conducting Body | SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 Minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Age Limit | 18 - 27 years |
| Educational Qualification | Matriculation from a recognized board with science and maths as compulsory subjects |
| Exam Fees | INR 100 |
| Official Website | https://ssb.gov.in/ |
Defence Exams Age Limit
The age criteria for different Defence exams are variable. Candidates must be informed about the specified age limits defined by the conducting authority to apply for the exam as only the candidates who fall within the specified age limit can appear for the exam.
The age limits for different Defence exams are tabulated below:
| Exam Name | Age Criteria |
|---|---|
| Combined Defence Services (CDS) | 19 – 25 years |
| Air Force Commission Admission Test (AFCAT) | 20 – 24 years |
| Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) | 20 – 25 years |
| National Defence Academy (NDA) | 16 – 19 years |
| Short Service Commission (Technical) | 21 – 27 years |
| Joint Advocate General (JAG) | 21 – 27 years |
| NCC Entry Women | 19 – 25 years |
| Territorial Army | 18 – 42 years |
| Indian Air Force Group C | 18 – 25 years |
| Indian Coast Guard Navik | 18 – 22 years |
| IB ACIO | 18 – 27 years |
| CASB Airmen | 17 – 21 years |
| SSB Constable | 18 – 27 years |
Defence Exams Age Limit for Various Academic
The age limits for different courses in defense academies are tabulated below:
| Name of courses | Age limit |
|---|---|
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | 20 – 24 years |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | 19 – 24 years |
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | 19 – 24 years |
| OTA – Men (Officers Training Academy) | 19 – 25 years |
| OTA – Female, Non- Technical (Officers Training Academy) | 19 – 25 years |
Educational Qualifications for National Defence Exams
The defense recruitments are conducted by the Indian army based on 12th/Diploma and graduation. Educational eligibility criteria depend upon the exam and course selected. Education criteria for some of the Defence exams are tabulated below:
| Exam Name | Educational Criteria |
|---|---|
| Combined Defence Services (CDS) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline depending upon the Army wing selected |
| Air Force Commission Admission Test (AFCAT) | Engineering in Mechanical, Electronics or Computer Science from a recognized university |
| Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| National Defence Academy (NDA) | 12th from a recognized board with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects |
| Short Service Commission (Technical) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Joint Advocate General (JAG) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| NCC Entry Women | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Territorial Army | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Indian Air Force Group C | 10th/ 12th/ Graduation from a recognized board or university |
| Indian Coast Guard Navik | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university |
| IB ACIO | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university |
| CASB Airmen | 12th from a recognized board with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects |
| SSB Constable | 10th from a recognized board with Science and Maths as important subjects |
The educational criteria for different courses in defence academies are tabulated below:
| Name of courses | Age limit |
|---|---|
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | Bachelors of Engineering or Degree from a recognized university and studied Physics and Mathematics in 12th |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | Bachelors of Engineering from a recognized university |
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | Degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| OTA – Men (Officers Training Academy) | Degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| OTA – Female, Non- Technical (Officers Training Academy) | Degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
Defence Eligibility 2025: Marital Status
The marital status for eligibility to different courses is tabulated below:
| Name of courses | Marital Status |
|---|---|
| AFA (Air Force Academy) | Unmarried |
| INA (Indian Naval Academy) | Unmarried |
| IMA (Indian Military Academy) | Unmarried |
| OTA – Men (Officers Training Academy) | Married and Unmarried |
| OTA – Female, Non- Technical (Officers Training Academy) | Unmarried, Widow and Divorcee |
Defence Eligibility 2025: Work Experience
Defence Recruitment requires no prior experience to apply for any position. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria as mentioned in the article above according to the belonging category. Hence, there is no restriction related to Work experience as freshers are also eligible to apply. Although candidates can mention the work experience if they hold any relevant experience matching with the applied position.
Defense Recruitment 2025 Eligibility: FAQs
Ques. Which exams can I apply for after graduation to get into the defence forces?
Ans. There are different exams conducted on a national level to recruit graduates in defence forces. Some of them are:
- CDS (Combined Defence Forces)
- IAF Airmen
- Indian Army SSC (Technical)
- Joint Advocate General (JAG)
Ques. Can female candidates apply for NDA?
Ans. No, female candidates are not eligible to apply for the NDA exam. However, female aspirants can apply for the CDS exam after completion of graduation to get recruitment in different wings of the Indian Defence Forces.
Ques. I am 24 years old. Can I apply for the CDS exam?
Ans. Yes, you may easily apply if you are unmarried. However, the minimum and maximum age limits for the CDS exam depends upon the wings selected. The maximum age for IMA is 24 years, INA is 22 years, Air Force is 23 years, and OTA is 25 years.
Ques. Which exams can I apply for after the 12th to get into Defense forces?
Ans. There are different exams conducted on a national level to recruit 12th pass candidates in defence forces. Some of them are:
- NDA (National Defence Academy)
- Indian Air Force Group X, Y
- SSB Exam
- Indian Coast Guard
Ques. What is the maximum number of attempts for Defence exams?
Ans. There is no limit on the number of attempts in the above-mentioned exams. Candidates may apply for the exam until they are under the eligible age group and qualify for the other eligibility criteria as well.
Ques. Can I apply for the CDS exam if I am in the final year of my graduation?
Ans. Yes, the final year graduates can also apply for the CDS exam provisionally. These candidates need to present the passing certificates once they officially complete their degrees.
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