NDA vs CDS
There are many similarities and differences between the two exams and opportunities they provide. If you are a defence aspirant, you should know about all the similarities and differences between the two exams to make an informed choice. Here we have explained all the details about NDA vs CDS under different parameters.NDA vs CDS Eligibility
Both the entries have a two-stage process. A written exam followed by an SSB interview conducted by the respective Selection Board of the forces.| Exam | Age Limit | Marital Status | Educational Qualification | Nationality |
| NDA | 16 ½ -19 ½ Years | Unmarried | -Class 12 th pass, from a recognized board.
Appearing Candidates are eligible to apply. |
|
| CDS | 21 to 26 years
24 for IMA 25 for OTA |
Unmarried | Graduation from a recognized university
|
|
Read in detail about UPSC CDS Eligibility.
Candidates must note NDA vs CDS debate is now relevant for female candidates too as with NDA Examination 2021 held in the month of November girl candidates are allowed to sit for the NDA Examination too. -Read here the landmark NDA Notification For Women.
NDA vs CDS Training
Both the entries differ significantly with respect to institutions and training period. The finer details are covered below.| Parameter | NDA | CDS |
|---|---|---|
|
Duration of training |
Four to Four and half years-
Army cadets-one at IMA Naval cadets-one Year at Naval Academy For Air Force cadets- One and a half years at AFA Hyderabad |
18 months for IMA Cadets 37-40 months for Navy Officers 74 months for Air Force Officers |
|
Academies |
|
|
|
Degrees awarded |
|
Army Cadets in IMA: PG Diploma in ‘Military and Defense Management OTA Chennai: Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies |
| Nature of Commission | Permanent | Permanent and Short Services |
NDA Vs CDS: Exam Pattern
The differences in the exam pattern of NDA and CDS are given in the table below.
| Parameters | NDA | CDS |
|---|---|---|
|
Number of papers |
Two |
IMA, AFA, and INA: Three OTA: Two |
|
Name of the subjects |
General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics
|
IMA, AFA and INA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics OTA: English and General Knowledge
|
|
Exam duration |
2 ½ hours for each paper. |
2 hours for each paper. |
|
Number of questions |
GAT: 150 Mathematics: 120 |
Maths: 100 English: 120 General Knowledge: 120 |
|
Total marks |
Written Exam: 900 SSB Interview: 900 |
For IMA, INA, and AFA:- 300 OTA: -200 The SSB Interview for IMA, INA, AFA is for 300 marks each while for OTA it is 200 |
Note- There is no difference in what so over in the nature of training, hence NDA vs CDS does factor in terms of competence of cadets and quality of training. Due to the shorter-duration training of CDS cadets is relatively difficult. But the standards are the same.
Get to know Daily Routine Of A NDA Cadet
NDA Vs CDS: Pay, Allowances and Promotional Avenues
Pay and allowances offered to the officers selected through the NDA and CDS are the same. There is no difference after commission. The difference is in the age of gaining a commission as NDA cadets are relatively young.
Promotional Avenues
| Rank | Min.Time of Commissioned Service for Promotion | |
|---|---|---|
| NDA Officer | CDS Officer | |
|
Lieutenant |
On Commission |
On Commission |
|
Captain |
02 Years |
02 Years |
|
Major |
06 years |
06 years |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
13 years |
13 years |
|
Colonel(Selection) |
15 years |
15 years |
|
Colonel (Time Scale) |
26 years |
26 years |
|
Brigadier |
On Selection |
On Selection |
|
Major General |
On Selection |
On Selection |
|
Lieutenant General |
On Selection |
On Selection |
|
General |
On Selection |
No restrictions |
Salary
| Rank | NDA Officer Pay (in Rupees) | CDS Officer Rank Pay | Salary in | |
| Rank Pay | Grade Pay | Rupees | ||
| Lieutenant | 15,600-39,100 | 5,400 | 15,600-39,100 | 56,100-1,77,500 |
| Captain | 15,600-39,100 | 6,100 | 15,600-39,100 | 6,13,00-1,93,900 |
| Major | 15,600-39,100 | 6,600 | 15,600-39,100 | 6,94,00-2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 37,400-67,000 | 8,000 | 37,400-67,000 | 1,21,200-2,12400 |
| Colonel | 37,400-67,000 | 8,700 | 37,400-67,000 | 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Brigadier | 37,400-67,000 | 8,900 | 37,400-67,000 | 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General | 37,400-67,000 | 10,000 | 37,400-67,000 | 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | 67,000-79,000 | - | 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 | 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | 75,500-80,000 | - | 2,05,400-2,24,400 | 2,05,400-2,24,400 |
| Lieutenant General (NFSG) | 80,000 | - | 80,000 | 2,25,000 (fixed) |
Allowances benefits and pensions are the same for all the officers depending upon the rank.