Yes, women candidates are eligible to apply for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, but their eligibility is specific to certain academies and courses. Here's a detailed breakdown:
1. Officers' Training Academy (OTA):
- Eligibility: Unmarried women, issueless widows who have not remarried, and issueless divorcees who have not remarried.
- Age Limit: 19 to 25 years.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried women are eligible.
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
2. Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA):
- Eligibility: Currently, only unmarried male candidates are eligible for these academies.
- Age Limit: Varies by academy:
- IMA: 19 to 24 years.
- INA: 19 to 22 years.
- AFA: 20 to 24 years.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried male candidates are eligible.
- Educational Qualification: Varies by academy:
- IMA: Graduation in any discipline.
- INA: Engineering degree.
- AFA: Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Engineering degree.
Important Considerations:
- Marital Status: Married female candidates are not eligible for the CDS exam.
- Age Relaxation: There is no age relaxation for female candidates.
- Physical Standards: Female candidates must meet specific physical and medical standards, including a minimum height of 152 cm.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, candidates should refer to the official UPSC notification for the specific examination cycle they are interested in, as eligibility criteria may be subject to change. The official UPSC website provides comprehensive details on examination notifications, application procedures, and other essential information.