CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria

Visual Standards: 

Three visual standards have been specified by the Commission for all academies 

For OTA and IMA 

• Maximum allowed Uncorrected vision – 6/6 & 6/6
• BCVA – Left 6/6 & Right 6/6
• Colour perception – CP II 
• Hypermetropia – < 3.50 D Sph (max astigmatism ≤ /- 2.0 D Cyl) 
• Lasik surgery – Permitted
• Myopia – < -3.50 D Sph (max astigmatism ≤ /- 2.0 D Cyl) 

Naval Candidates:

• Uncorrected vision (without the glasses) – 6/12, 6/12 
• Corrected vision (using glasses) – 6/6, 6/6 
• Binocular-Vision – III 
• Limit of Colour Perception – I
• Limit of Hypermetropia – 1.5 D 
• Limit of Myopia – -1.5 D

AFA Candidates:

Candidates habitually wearing spectacles will not be eligible to apply for AFA. The minimum distant vision is 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other. Correctable vision is 6/6

Hypermetrical Colour – Vision CP 1

• Astigmatism 0.75 D Cyl (Max 2.0 D)
• Hypermetropia: 2.0 d Sph   
• Manifest Myopia – Nil
• Retinoscopic Myopia –0.5 in any meridian

Maddox Rod Test:

At 6 metres

• Eso- 6 prism D
• Exo- 6 prism D
• Hyper-1 prism D
• Hypo-1prism D 

At 33 cm

• Eso- 6 prism D 
• Exo- 16 prism D 
• Hyper-1 prism D
• Hypo-1 prism D

Lasik/ equivalent surgery

Candidates who have undergone kerato-refractive procedures are required to produce operative notes/certificates from the medical centre stating the type of surgery, date, and procedure. The candidates should also meet the below-given additional requirement to be considered physically fit: 

• Should be over 20 years at the time of surgery
• Minimum 12 months post the surgery
• Axial length by IOL Master =< 26 mm
• Central corneal thickness =<450 µ  
• Residual refraction of <= /- 1.0 D including cylinder.
• A healthy normal retina. 

Spinal Conditions – AFA

Having a medical history of injury or disease of sacroiliac joints or spine that prevents a candidate from leading a normal life can be a cause for rejection when applying for the Air Force Academy. History of fracture of the spine or prolapsed intervertebral disc, also the surgical treatment for the above-mentioned conditions will declare the candidate unfit. The below-mentioned conditions if detected will result in disqualification of the candidate

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Compression- fracture of the vertebrae
• Disorders including Dermatomyositis

• SLE
• Vasculitis
• Polymyositis

• Loss of cervical lordosis 
• Non-articular rheumatism 
• Osteoarthrosis
• Spondylosis
• Degenerative joint disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis 
• Scheuermann’s disease
• Spondylolisthesis/ spondylosis
• Granulomatous disease 
• Unilateral/ bilateral cervical ribs with a neurological or circulatory deficit

Hearing Standards – AFA

• Speech test –

Reduction of > 600 cm in FW/CV is not allowed

• Audiometric Test – 

Audiometric loss should not be < 20 dB, in frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz. 

• A radical or modified radical mastoidectomy will disqualify a candidate even if good hearing is preserved.
• Cases of chronic otitis externa accompanied by exostoses/unduly narrow meat
• Cases of cortical mastoidectomy in the past with an intact tympanic membrane, normal hearing, and no current evidence of the disease may be considered.
• Tympanoplasty Type I

Acceptable 12 weeks post surgery if the ear clearance test is normal. 

The Below-mentioned middle ear conditions may entail rejection:

• Vestibular dysfunction 
• Tympanoplasty Type – II
• Tympanic membrane scar
• Stapedectomy operation
• Otosclerosis 
• Meniere’s disease
• Infection of middle ear
• Granulation/polyp in the external auditory canal
• Calcareous plaques when occupying < 1/3 of pars tensa. 
• Bell’s palsy following an ear infection
• Attic, central, or marginal perforation. 

Physical Condition

The candidates should have good physical condition. They should follow the below-mentioned routine:

• Running – 2 to 4 kilometers in 15 minutes
• Chin-ups – Minimum 8
• Push-ups – minimum 20
• Rope Climbing – 3 to 4 meters
• Sit-ups – Minimum 20 
• Skipping

Chest Conditions

The following will declare a candidate unfit

• Tuberculosis or its evidence
• lung lesions
• heart or musculoskeletal lesions 

Abdomen and Genitor-urinary System Problems 

The following may result in disqualification

• Hernia
• Undescended testis
• Varicocele
• Organomegaly
• Solitary kidney
• Horseshoe kidney
• Cysts of the kidney
• Cysts of the liver
• Ureteric and renal stones
• Gallbladder stones
• Deformities/ lesions of urogenital organs
• Piles
• Sinuses
• Lymphadenitis 

Nervous system

• Tremors, and speech impediments are not accepted
• Imbalance too is not allowed

Skin Problems

The following skin issues will disqualify a candidate

• Corns
• Dermatitis
• Haemangiomas
• hyperhidrosis 
• skin infections
• Vitiligo
• Warts

Dental conditions

• A mouth-opening more than 30mm measured at the incisal edges
• All potentially cancerous conditions.
• Dislocation of TMJ 
• Incipient pathological condition
• Jaw discrepancies between the lower and upper jaw which is hampering efficient speech/mastication.
• Submucosa fibrosis
• Symptomatic Temporo-Mandibular Joint having tenderness and clicking.
• Poor oral health

• Periodontal pockets
• Visible calculus
• Bleeding gums.

• More than 2 Loose teeth
• Cosmetic/post-traumatic maxillofacial surgery

It is considered unfit for a minimum 6 months from the date of the procedure

• If malocclusion is hampering the maintenance of good oral hygiene, general nutrition, and the performance of duties.

General Guidelines – Medical standards

To be considered medically fit, candidates must have perfect mental and physical health. They should be free from diseases and syndromes. The detailed guidelines are mentioned below:

1. No abnormality of the liver and pancreas 
2. No active, latent, or congenital venereal disease. 
3. No arteriovenous malformations.
4. No chronic disease of the lungs and chest including allergies or immunological conditions, musculoskeletal deformities of the chest, and connective tissue disorders
5. No congenital or hereditary disease or disability.
6. No deformity or disease of the musculoskeletal system and the joints.
7. No disease of the digestive system. 
8. No disease or injury affecting the normal functioning of either mandibular joint. 
9. No disease, disability, or congenital anomaly or syndrome of cartilages and bones of the nose, nasal polyps, or disease of the uvula,  nasopharynx, and accessory sinuses. There should be 
10. No disease, syndrome, or disability of any endocrine system and reticuloendothelial system. 
11. No disease, syndrome, or disability of the heart and blood vessels including genetic, congenital, hypertension, and conduction disorders. 
12. No disease, syndrome, or disability of the throat and palate tonsils.
13. No diseases of the genito-urinary system (malformations, atrophy, and hypertrophy of any gland or organ) 
14. No evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis or previous history of this disease.
15. No features of chronic tonsillitis.
16. No hernia.
17. No history or evidence of epilepsy, mental disease, enuresis, and incontinence of urine.
18. No hyper/ hypopigmentation or any other disease of the skin. 
19. No malformation of the face and head including deformity, asymmetry, from fractures, and depression of the bones of the skull.
20. No nasal deformity 
21. No scars which can impair functioning or cause disfigurement.
22. No sinus/fistula issues.
23. No swellings including cysts, tumours, and swollen lymph nodes  
24. The candidate should be free of any medical conditions which lead him/her to visit the medical facilities and usage of any aid or drugs.
25. There should be no proof of imperfect development of any system, congenital deformities, malformation, diseases, and syndromes. 

The below-mentioned ocular diseases will declare a candidate unfit:

1. Corneal Opacity
2. Entropion or Ectropion
3. Lenticular opacity
4. Naso- Lacrimal occlusion
5. Night blindness
6. Nystagmus
7. Pterygium
8. Ptosis
9. Retinal lesions
10. Squin
11. Uveitis

The candidates must read the notification carefully. Also, a medical check-up is done beforehand to know if they are eligible to apply for the UPSC CDS examination.

If you find yourself eligible, you can apply for the examination once the commission releases the notification. Since the examination is expected to be conducted in April 2023, you have ample time in hand to prepare for it. To score good marks in the exam, you must be acquainted with the syllabus and the exam pattern. Start studying systematically. Devote a certain time in the day to your preparation. The written exam is an MCQ test. Purchase the required books and go through them. Retain what you learn. Also, revise regularly. Prepare well and be confident. You will certainly succeed.