NDA Vs CDS: Know difference between CDS and NDA here
NDA and CDS are the most sought-after defence entrance exams in the country. However, there are differences in the exam pattern, eligibility, salary, ranks, etc. Read this article to know the difference between NDA and CDS exams including eligibility, training, salary, exam pattern, etc.
NDA vs CDS
NDA vs CDS: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts NDA and CDS exams for candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces as Officers. NDA vs CDS is the common question asked by the defence aspirant. NDA full form is National Defence Academy and CDS stands for Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam. Both the exams are conducted twice. The salary, roles, responsibilities, promotion aspects for both the entries are similiar but there is difference in tenure of training, academies, nature of the commission and degree awarded. In this article we have explained, the difference between NDA and CDS.
NDA Vs CDS: Understand the difference
National Defence Academy (NDA) is the joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces. Here, the cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force train together before they go on to the respective service academies for further pre-commissioning training.
Q: What is the difference between NDA 1 and 2 exams?
There is no difference between UPSC NDA 1 and 2 exams. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the January batch. Whereas, NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to July batch.
National Defence Academy or NDA exam is conducted twice a year by Union Public Service Commission for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It is the most sought-after defence entrance exams in the country where both male and female candidates can apply.
The exam is conducted in two stages: written exam and SSB Interview. In 2020, a total of 5.3 Lacs candidates had applied for the exam, out of which 2.4 Lacs candidates appeared for the exam. UPSC prepares a list of candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Such candidates are called for SSB Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test.
Also Read: Know the difference between NDA & NA I and II Exams
Q: What is the difference between NDA and CDS exams?
Q: Who earns more- NDA officer or IAS officer?
The NDA Cadets receive a fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month during the training duration. An IAS Officer may earn between INR 56,100 and INR 2,50,000 annually as salary.
Combined Defence Services (CDS) is the examination for recruitment into Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.
Which is easier NDA or CDS?
CDS written exam is easier then NDA written exam. But in case of SSB the recommendation of candidates is tougher in CDS as compared to NDA. The syllabus for both the exams are shared below:
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NDA Syllabus
NDA syllabus comprises topics and sub-topics from Maths and GAT.
Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.
GAT: The GAT syllabus of NDA is divided into two parts. Part A comprises questions from English, while Part B carries questions from General Knowledge. Questions in English part are asked from Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are asked from Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.
CDS Syllabus
CDS syllabus comprises topics from English, Elementary Maths, and GK. The syllabus is shared below:
English Syllabus
| Antonyms |
Sentence improvement |
|
| Synonyms |
Word substitution |
Ordering of sentences |
| Selecting Words |
Ordering of words in a sentence |
General Knowledge
| Economics |
Physics |
|
| Politics |
Chemistry |
Sociology |
| History |
Defence |
Award |
| Geography |
Environment |
Sport |
| Biology |
Cultural |
Book |
| Statement true/false |
-- |
-- |
Mathematics
Questions in Elementary Mathematics are asked from Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
NDA Vs CDS: Important Highlights
Some of the important highlights related to NDA vs CDS exams are given below.
| Parameter | NDA | CDS |
|---|---|---|
| Age |
16.5-19.5 Years |
19-25 Years |
| Eligibility |
Men and Women |
Men are allowed to apply for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA Women are allowed to apply for OTA only |
| Educational Qualification |
Class 12 |
Graduation |
| Scheme of Examination |
Written and SSB |
Written and SSB |
| Frequency of the Exam |
Twice a year |
Twice a year |
| Duration of Training |
Three years at NDA and one year in the respective service academies for INA and IMA. Air Force cadets undergo training at NDA for three and 1 & ½ years at AFA |
18 months for IMA Cadets 37-40 months for Navy Officers 74 months for Air Force Officers |
| Training Centres |
National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune Indian Military Academy, Dehradun Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala Indian Air ForceAcademy, Hyderabad |
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun for Army Cadets Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala for Navy Cadets Indian Air ForceAcademy, Hyderabad for Air Force Officers Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai |
| Degrees awarded |
Army Cadets: BSc/BSc (Computer)/BA /BTech degree Naval Cadets: BTech degree Air Force Cadets: BTech degree |
Army Cadets in IMA: PG Diploma in ‘Military and Defense Management OTA Chennai: Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies |
| Rank assigned after training |
Lieutenant |
Lieutenant |
| Stipend during training |
INR 56,100 |
INR 56,100 |
NDA Vs CDS: What is the Eligibility Criteria?
NDA is conducted for candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12. Whereas, CDS exam is conducted for candidates who have passed or are appearing in Graduation. Women candidates can now appear for both CDS and NDA exams. The table below highlights the difference in the eligibility criteria of NDA and CDS exams.
| Parameter | NDA | CDS |
|---|---|---|
| Age |
For NDA 2, male/female candidates must have born not earlier than January 2, 2002, and not later than January 1, 2005 For NDA 1, male/female candidates should be born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2006 |
19 to 25 Years |
| Gender | Men and Women |
Men and Women |
| Educational Qualification |
For Army wing of NDA, male/female candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board For Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and 10 2 Cadet entry scheme at INA, male/female candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics |
Graduation |
Also Read:
NDA Vs CDS: Training, Degrees Awarded, Ranks and Stipend
The selection process of both NDA and CDS is the same: written exam followed by SSB Interview. On commissioning, candidates are granted the rank of Lieutenant. During training, candidates are paid INR 21,000 per month. Check below the training procedure, degrees offered, and training centres of NDA and CDS exams.
| Parameter | NDA | CDS |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of training |
Four to Four and half years Three years at NDA and one year at IMA (For Army cadets) Three years at NDA and one year at Naval Academy (For Naval cadets) Three years at NDA and one and half years at AFA Hyderabad (For AF cadets) |
18 months for IMA Cadets 37-40 months for Navy Officers 74 months for Air Force Officers |
| Training centres |
|
|
| Degrees awarded |
|
Army Cadets in IMA: PG Diploma in Military and Defence Management OTA Chennai: Post-Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies |
Also Read:
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 |
Each paper is for 2 ½ |
Each paper is held for two hours |
| Number of questions |
GAT: 150 Mathematics: 120 |
Maths: 100 English: 120 General Knowledge: 120 |
| Total marks |
Written Exam: 900 SSB Interview: 900 |
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 |
| Negative marks |
GAT: 1.33 Maths: 0.83 |
0.33 |
| Nature of syllabus |
The standard of NDA syllabus is of Classes 10, 11 and 12 levels |
The standard of the topics in CDS syllabus for Elementary Mathematics will be of Class 10 level. The standard of papers for other subjects will be of Graduation level |
Also Read:
NDA Vs CDS: Salary and Promotional Avenues
Pay and allowances offered to the officers selected through the NDA and CDS exams differ significantly. The difference in the pay, allowances and promotional avenues is given below.
| Rank |
Promotional Avenues (Min. 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 |
23 years |
| Major General |
On Selection |
25 years |
| Lieutenant General |
On Selection |
28 years |
| General |
On Selection |
No restrictions |
NDA Salary Vs CDS Salary
The salary structures of NDA and CDS are given below:
NDA
The rank-wise salary of army officers and equivalent ranks in Air Force and Navy is given below:
| Ranks | NDA salary (In INR) |
|---|---|
| Lt to Maj |
Lt: Level 10 (56,100-1,77,500) Capt: Level 10 B (61,300-1,93,900) Maj: Level 11 (69,400-2,07,200) |
| Lt Col to Maj Gen |
Lt Col: Level 12A (1,21,200-2,12,400) Col: Level 13 (1,30,600-2,15,900) Brig: Level 13A (1,39,600-2,17,600) Maj Gen - Level 14 (1,44,200-2,18,200) |
| Lt Gen to HAG Scale |
Level 15 (1, 82, 200-2,24,100) |
| HAG Scale |
Level 16 (2,05,400-2,24,400) |
| VCOAS/ArmyCdr/Lt Gen (NFSG) |
Level 17 (2,25,000) (fixed) |
| COAS |
Level 18 (2,50,000) (fixed) |
Also Read: NDA Salary
CDS Salary
The payscale of Army Officers and equivalent ranks in Air Force and Navy is given below.
| Rank | Level | Salary (In INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant |
Level 10 |
56,100 -1,77,500 |
| Captain |
Level 10 B |
61,300- 1,93,900 |
| Major |
Level 11 |
69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel |
Level 12A |
1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel |
Level 13 |
1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Brigadier |
Level 13A |
1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General |
Level 14 |
1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale |
Level 15 |
1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG Scale |
Level 16 |
2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) |
Level 17 |
2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS |
Level 18 |
2,50,000 (fixed) |
CDS: For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, candidates must be a graduate. For the Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university. For Air Force Academy, a degree or Bachelor of Engineering is necessary. Students must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12.
NDA: For admission to Army Wing of National Defence Academy, candidates must have passed Class 12/HSC or equivalent from a recognised board or university. For admission to Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy of National Defence Academy, candidates must have passed Class 12/HSC with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
NDA vs CDS: FAQs
Q: What are NDA and CDS exams?
Q: What is the difference in the educational qualification of CDS and NDA exams?
- For IMA and Officers’ Training Academy, the required educational qualification is Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
- For Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university
- For Air Force Academy, candidates must have a degree in Engineering from a recognised university. They must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Army Wing of National Defence Academy | Passed Class 12/HSC or equivalent from a recognised board or university |
| Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of National Defence Academy | Passed Class 12/HSC with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
Q: What is the difference in age limit of CDS and NDA exams?
Q: Can women candidates apply for CDS and NDA exams?
Q: What is process of training in NDA and CDS exams?
Q: What is the rank allotted to candidates after completion of their training?
Q: What is the difference in Military Service Pay (MSP) of NDA and CDS Officers?
Q: What is the difference in exam pattern of CDS and NDA exams?
Q: Which are training centres in NDA and CDS exams?
A mass communication and journalism post-graduate, Anangsha has worked as a reporter and sub-editor and enjoys working in the education domain.
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