(A) Nationality

A candidate must be unmarried and must either be:
(i) Indian citizen

(ii) a Nepalese/Bhutanese subject

(iv) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India to permanently settle here before 1st January 1962

(v) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

(B) Age Limits, Sex and Marital Status 

(i) For Indian Military Academy (IMA) —Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 1995 and not later than 1st July, 2000 only are eligible.

(ii) For Indian Naval Academy (INA) —Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2 nd July, 1995 and not later than 1st July, 2000 only are eligible.

(iii) For Air Force Academy (AFA) — 20 to 24 years as on 1st July, 2019 i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July, 1995 and not later than 1st July, 1999 (Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 yrs. i.e. born not earlier than 2nd July, 1993 and not later than 1st July, 1999) only are eligible.

Note: Candidate below 25 years of age must be unmarried. Marriage is not permitted during training. Married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply but during training period they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live with family out of the premises.

(iv) For Officers’ Training Academy—(SSC Course for men)
Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 1994 and not later than 1st July, 2000 only are eligible.

(v) For Officers’ Training Academy—(SSC Women Non-Technical Course)
Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible. They should have been born not earlier than 2nd July, 1994 and not later than 1st July, 2000.

NOTE : Male divorcee/widower candidates cannot be treated as unmarried male for the purpose of their admission in IMA/INA/AFA courses and are not eligible for these courses.

**Candidates should note that only the DoB as recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate or equivalent certificate on the date of submission of applications will be accepted. No subsequent change will be considered or permitted.**

(C) Educational Qualifications

(i) For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy – Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.

(ii) For Indian Naval Academy – Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution.

(iii) For Air Force Academy – Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

Final year/final semester candidates studying in a degree course are also eligible to apply, ONLY if they have no backlogs up to the last semester or year that results had been declared for. Proof of having passed the Degree examination must be provided and sent to the IHQ of Min. of Defence (Army) before respective course commences.

(D) Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2018 as per guidelines