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UPSC conducts both NDA and CDS exams twice a year, offering candidates to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. While NDA targets candidates after Class 12, CDS is for graduates.
NDA exam (National Defence Academy) and CDS exam (Combined Defence Services) examinations are important for individuals aiming become officers in the Indian Armed Forces. While both exams share the goal of officer recruitment, however, they differ significantly in age requirements, syllabus, eligibility criteria, exam patterns and training duration. In this blog we will all the major differences and similarities of CDS and NDA exam.
|
NDA |
CDS |
|
Age
|
16.5 to 19.5 Years |
19 to 25 Years |
|
Eligibility |
Both unmarried Men and Women are allowed |
Unmarried men are allowed to apply for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA Unmarried women are allowed to apply only for OTA as of 2024 |
|
Educational Qualification |
Appearing or passed Class 12 |
Graduation |
|
Examination Process |
Written SSB & Medical |
Written SSB & Medical |
|
Exam Frequency |
Twice a year |
Twice a year |
|
Training Duration |
Three years at NDA and one year in the respective service academies for INA and IMA. Air Force cadets undergo 3 years training at NDA and 1 & ½ years at AFA |
18 months for IMA Cadets 37-40 months for Navy Officers 74 months for Air Force Officers 46 weeks for OTA |
|
Training Centres |
National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune Indian Military Academy, Dehradun Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala Indian Air Force Academy, Hyderabad |
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun for Army Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala for Navy Indian Air Force Academy, Hyderabad for Air Force Officers Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai |
|
Rank |
Lieutenant |
Lieutenant |
It is said that CDS written exam is comparatively easier than NDA written exam but CDS SSB is tougher than NDA SSB.
CDS written exam is divided into three parts English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
Subjects | Exam Duration | Total Questions | Marks |
English | 2 hours | 120 | 100 |
General Knowledge | 2 hours | 120 | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 | 100 |
Note: Elementary mathematics exam is not for OTA.
English
General Knowledge
Elementary Mathematics
OTA candidates will only appear for English and General Knowledge exam.
NDA written exam is divided into two parts maths and GAT
|
Subjects |
Exam Duration |
Total Questions |
Marks |
|
Mathematics |
2.5 hours |
120 |
300 |
|
General Ability test (GAT) |
2.5 hours |
150 |
600 |
NDA Mathematics: Mathematics covers topics such as algebra, trigonometry, calculus, Analytical Geometry of 2d and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.
NDA GAT: GAT exam is divided into two parts English and General Knowledge.
For NDA exam eligibility, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12, with age limits between 16.5 to 19.5 years. This requirement ensures that candidates have the necessary educational foundation and age suitability to undergo the rigorous training required for officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
For CDS exam eligibility, candidates should have completed or be in the process of completing their graduation. The age limits for candidates range from 19 to 25 years. This criterion ensures that candidates possess the educational background necessary for officer roles in the Indian Armed Forces.
While NDA targets candidates post-Class 12, CDS focuses on graduates. However, they both offer the same positions. What you need to consider is which exam you are eligible for. If you are a 12th pass, you cannot attempt the CDS exam, but the NDA exam is suitable for you. Conversely, if you’re a graduate, typically above 20 years old, you cannot apply for the NDA exam, but you can for the CDS exam. If you have decided which exam is right for you and need help preparing, Noval Defence Academy provides the Best NDA and Best CDS coaching in Dehradun.
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