Why CDS Vision Differs from NDA
Graduate entry advantage: Graduate entries (IMA, OTA, CDSE) are allowed more relaxed vision than NDA Army because adult eyes (age 19–25) are more stable than a 16-year-old's. LASIK is also permitted for IMA/OTA — unlike NDA Army.
The DGMS Army 2019 Medical Standards document maintains two separate columns in the vision table: one for 10+2 entries (NDA) and one for graduate & equivalent entries (CDSE, IMA, OTA, UES, NCC, TGC). The latter column has noticeably more permissive dioptre limits, reflecting the greater refractive stability in adult candidates whose eyes have finished developing.
The table below shows how the four CDS academies compare against NDA Army at a glance.
| Parameter | NDA Army | CDS IMA/OTA | INA/Navy | AFA Flying |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncorrected vision | 6/36 | 6/60 | 6/12 | 6/6 + 6/9 |
| BCVA | 6/6 each | 6/6 each | 6/6 each | 6/6 + 6/9 |
| Myopia max | −2.5 D Sph | −3.5 D Sph | −1.0 D Sph | NIL |
| Hypermetropia max | +2.5 D Sph | +3.5 D Sph | +2.0 D Sph | +1.5 D Sph |
| Astigmatism max | ±2.0 D Cyl | ±2.0 D Cyl | ±1.0 D Cyl | +0.75 D Cyl |
| Colour perception | CP-II | CP-II | CP Pass | CP-I |
| LASIK | NOT permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted (conditions) |
Sources: DGMS Army Aug 2019 page 7 (graduate-entry vision table); CDS 2025 Notification page 37; AFCAT 02/2023 Appendix C.
IMA / OTA Vision Standards
Source note: DGMS Army Aug 2019 page 7 — "Graduate & equivalent entries: CDSE, IMA, OTA, UES, NCC, TGC". This table explicitly differs from the NDA (10+2) column.
| Parameter | Standard |
|---|---|
| Uncorrected vision | 6/60 & 6/60 |
| Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) | Rt 6/6 & Lt 6/6 |
| Myopia (max) | ≤ −3.50 D Sph (incl. max astigmatism ≤ ±2.0 D Cyl) |
| Hypermetropia (max) | ≤ +3.50 D Sph (incl. max astigmatism ≤ ±2.0 D Cyl) |
| LASIK / kerato-refractive surgery | Permitted (with 8 conditions — see §5) |
| Colour perception | CP-II |
What does "6/60" mean?
You can read at 6 metres what a person with normal vision reads at 60 metres. This is quite poor unaided vision (legal driving standard is approximately 6/12). The armed forces accept this because spectacles or contact lenses can correct it fully — what matters is that corrected vision reaches 6/6.
Practical myopia examples
- Myopia −1.0 D: Passes IMA/OTA, NDA Army, and INA. Fails AFA Flying (requires NIL).
- Myopia −2.0 D: Passes IMA/OTA; passes NDA Army (limit −2.5 D); fails INA (limit −1.0 D); fails AFA Flying.
- Myopia −3.0 D: Passes IMA/OTA; fails NDA Army (limit −2.5 D); fails INA; fails AFA Flying.
- Myopia −4.0 D: Fails everywhere — IMA/OTA limit is −3.5 D. Consider LASIK at least 18 months ahead.
AFA Flying Vision Standards
Source: AFCAT 02/2023 Appendix C — Sl. No. 1 (A1G1 Flying — also applies to CDS-AFA entry).
| Parameter | AFA Flying Standard |
|---|---|
| Hypermetropia (max) | +1.5 D Sph |
| Manifest Myopia | NIL |
| Retinoscopic Myopia | NIL |
| Astigmatism (max) | +0.75 D Cyl (within +1.5 D max total) |
| Visual acuity | 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6 only for hypermetropia |
| Colour perception | CP-I (most stringent) |
NIL myopia means zero myopia — not −0.25, not −0.5. Even a tiny minus power makes you unfit for AFA Flying. However, slight long-sightedness (up to +1.5 D hypermetropia) is acceptable. LASIK can potentially help if performed correctly — see §5 below.
LASIK Permitted Conditions
CDS graduate entries may use LASIK to correct their vision before the Services Medical Board. The conditions differ slightly between Army/Navy entries and AFA Flying entries.
IMA / OTA / CDSE — 8 Conditions
- Age more than 20 years at time of surgery
- Minimum 12 months post-LASIK, uncomplicated
- Central corneal thickness ≥ 450 microns
- Axial length by IOL Master ≤ 26 mm
- Residual refraction ≤ ±1.0 D Cyl (acceptable in the category applied for)
- Normal healthy retina
- Corneal topography and ectasia markers normal
- Certificate from medical centre specifying date and type of surgery — absence leads to rejection
AFA Flying (CDS) — Same 8 + Additional
- All 8 conditions above apply in full
- Pre-operative refractive error must be ≤ ±6.0 D
- Residual refraction must be NIL for Pilot/Observer entries (not merely ≤ ±1.0 D)
- Surgery must not have been done before age 20
Radial Keratotomy (RK) → Permanently Unfit for ALL CDS branches. RK is an older surgical technique that weakens the cornea structurally. It is categorically banned regardless of the result. LASIK (flap-based) and SMILE/PRK (surface ablation) may be permissible; RK is not.
Unlike NDA Army (where LASIK is NOT permitted), graduate Army entries via CDS can use LASIK to qualify. But plan at least 18 months before your target SMB — you need 12 months post-surgery + documentation time + scheduling buffer. Surgeries done at age 19 or under are automatically disqualifying.
Colour Perception Grades
CP stands for Colour Perception. The Armed Forces use a graded scale assessed through Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates and the Nagel Anomaloscope. Different CDS academies require different minimum grades.
| CP Grade | Test Used | Required For |
|---|---|---|
| CP-I | Anomaloscope (Nagel) | AFA Flying (CDS), NDA Air Force Flying, AFCAT Flying |
| CP-II | Ishihara plates (pass) + Anomaloscope | IMA Army (CDS), OTA Army (CDS), NDA Army |
| CP Pass | Ishihara plates (pass) | INA Navy (CDS), NDA Navy |
What each grade means in practice
- CP-I: Distinguishes colours at all combinations of saturation and brightness. Required for aircraft identification, signal interpretation, runway light reading. No error at all is permitted on the Anomaloscope.
- CP-II: Near-normal colour vision. Can distinguish primary safety colours reliably. Minor errors permitted on the Anomaloscope but performance is within defined acceptance bands.
- CP Pass: Can correctly identify all 38 Ishihara plates. Sufficient for maritime navigation and general surface duties. Mild red-green deficiency may be present but does not fail the test.
Coloured contact lenses are NOT permitted and are detected during examination. They are both a medical disqualification (obstruction to fundus examination) and an integrity concern. Candidates must attend the eye examination with bare eyes or clear prescription lenses removed before the acuity test.
Common Visual Disqualifications
The following eye conditions disqualify a candidate from all CDS branches. They apply regardless of academy — IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.
- Keratoconus
- Pseudophakia (post-cataract IOL)
- Manifest squint (any degree)
- Exotropia
- Anisocoria > 1 mm pupil difference
- Heterochromia Iridum
- Optic Nerve Drusen
- Active/recurrent uveitis with permanent lesions
- Night blindness
- Nystagmus (other than physiological)
- High Cup-Disc ratio with inter-eye asymmetry > 0.2, RNFL defect, or visual field defect
- Radial Keratotomy (RK)
- Corneal scars/opacities interfering with vision
- Progressive pterygium
Lattice degeneration — disqualifying patterns
Lattice degeneration is a common peripheral retinal thinning. Most patterns are compatible with service; the following are disqualifying:
- Single circumferential lattice > 2 clock hours in extent
- Two lattices each > 1 clock hour
- Radial lattice lesions
- Lattice with atrophic hole or flap tear that is unlasered
- Lattice degeneration posterior to the equator
Pterygium note
Progressive pterygium is unfit. A regressive, non-vascularised, stationary pterygium ≤ 1.5 mm of peripheral cornea may be declared fit by the eye specialist at the board — it is not an automatic disqualification.
For AFA Flying candidates: Night blindness requires a specific Certificate per Appendix D in addition to the standard disqualification. Flying candidates with any complaint of poor night vision should seek ophthalmological evaluation well before the SMB.
Quick Decision Table
Find your myopia level in the left column and immediately see which CDS academies are open to you.
| Myopia | IMA / OTA | INA Navy | AFA Flying | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIL | ✅ Fit | ✅ Fit | ✅ Fit | All academies open |
| −0.5 D | ✅ Fit | ✅ Fit | ❌ Fail | Consider IMA / INA / OTA |
| −1.0 D | ✅ Fit | ✅ Fit | ❌ Fail | IMA / INA / OTA only |
| −1.5 D | ✅ Fit | ❌ Fail | ❌ Fail | IMA / OTA only |
| −2.5 D | ✅ Fit | ❌ Fail | ❌ Fail | IMA / OTA only |
| −3.0 D | ✅ Fit | ❌ Fail | ❌ Fail | IMA / OTA; note NDA Army limit is −2.5 D |
| −3.5 D | ✅ Fit | ❌ Fail | ❌ Fail | IMA / OTA only — at the absolute limit |
| −4.0 D | ❌ Fail | ❌ Fail | ❌ Fail | Consider LASIK (plan 18+ months ahead) |
Hypermetropia (plus power) is more lenient across all academies. IMA/OTA allows up to +3.5 D; INA allows +2.0 D; AFA Flying allows +1.5 D. Candidates with plus power and good unaided acuity are generally not disadvantaged compared to emmetropic candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the eyesight requirement for IMA through CDS?
For IMA (graduate Army entry), uncorrected vision can be as poor as 6/60 in each eye. Best corrected visual acuity must be 6/6 in each eye. Myopia limit is −3.50 D spherical (with ±2.0 D astigmatism). Hypermetropia limit is +3.50 D Sph. Colour perception must be CP-II. LASIK is permitted under 8 specified conditions. Source: DGMS Army Aug 2019 page 7. -
Can I join IMA after LASIK surgery?
Yes. LASIK is permitted for IMA/OTA/CDSE graduate entries, unlike NDA Army where LASIK is not allowed. You must: be over 20 at time of surgery; wait minimum 12 months post-surgery; have corneal thickness ≥ 450 microns; axial length ≤ 26 mm; residual refraction ≤ ±1.0 D; normal retina; normal corneal topography; and carry a certificate from the operating medical centre. RK (Radial Keratotomy) is permanently unfit for all branches. -
What is the eyesight limit for INA (Navy) through CDS?
For INA, uncorrected vision must be 6/12 or better. Myopia limit is −1.0 D spherical, hypermetropia +2.0 D Sph, astigmatism ±1.0 D Cyl. Binocular vision must be Grade III. Colour perception: CP Pass (Ishihara). LASIK is permitted except for submariners, divers, and MARCO entries. Source: CDS 2025 Notification page 37. -
Can I join AFA Flying through CDS if I have minus power?
No. AFA Flying via CDS requires NIL manifest myopia and NIL retinoscopic myopia. Even −0.25 D makes you unfit for Flying. Slight long-sightedness (hypermetropia up to +1.5 D) is permitted. However, LASIK may restore you to NIL myopia — provided all 8 LASIK conditions are met, including NIL residual refraction for Pilot/Observer entries. -
What does CP-I mean and why is it required for AFA Flying?
CP-I is the most stringent colour perception standard, assessed by the Nagel Anomaloscope. It requires full normal colour vision — the ability to distinguish colours at all levels of saturation and brightness. Flying duties require reading runway lights, signal flares, navigation lights, and target markers accurately, so perfect colour perception is non-negotiable for the Flying branch. -
I have −3.0 D myopia. Can I join CDS IMA?
Yes, −3.0 D myopia is within the IMA/OTA/CDSE limit of −3.5 D. You can apply for IMA and OTA but NOT for INA (limit −1.0 D) or AFA Flying (NIL). Your uncorrected vision at −3.0 D will be roughly 6/120–6/240 depending on other parameters — well within the 6/60 uncorrected vision limit. Ensure your BCVA corrects to 6/6 in each eye. -
Can I wear contact lenses to the CDS medical board?
No. Coloured contact lenses are not permitted and will be detected. Prescription (clear) contact lenses should be removed before the eye examination. The eye examination tests both uncorrected (bare eye) vision and corrected (glasses) vision — contact lenses would interfere with the uncorrected vision measurement. -
What is the difference between manifest myopia and retinoscopic myopia?
Manifest (subjective) myopia is measured by asking you what you can see clearly — your perceived prescription. Retinoscopic myopia is measured objectively by the doctor shining a light into your eye (retinoscopy) — it measures the eye's optical power regardless of your responses. AFA Flying requires NIL on both tests. It is not possible to fake normal vision on retinoscopy, as the test does not rely on what you say.
Sources
- UPSC CDS I 2025 Notification page 37 — CDSE entry vision tables for INA/Navy
- DGMS (Army) Medical Standards SN 76060/DGMS-5A, 01 Aug 2019, page 7 — graduate & equivalent entry vision table (IMA, OTA, CDSE, TGC)
- AFCAT 02/2023 Appendix C, Sl. No. 1 — AFA Flying (A1G1) vision and colour perception standards
- DGMS Army Aug 2019 — disqualifying eye conditions applicable to all graduate entries
- Last verified: 11 Dec 2024
Disclaimer: This page is an educational summary prepared by Defence Road to help aspirants understand CDS eyesight eligibility. The authoritative and legally binding standards are those published in the official UPSC CDS Notification and the DGMS Medical Standards documents. Vision standards can be updated each notification cycle — always download the latest official notification from upsc.gov.in before submitting your application or booking any medical procedure.