UPSC NDA Vs CDS: Let’s Study in Detail!

Last updated on February 21st, 2023 at 04:03 pm

Exams for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) and the National Defense Academy (NDA) are used to choose candidates for the Indian Armed Forces. Even though the Union Public Service Commission administers both exams twice a year, there are numerous parallels and variances in the hiring, training, pay, benefits, promotion, eligibility, etc. We have outlined UPSC NDA Vs CDS in this article.

The Indian Armed Forces’ joint services academy is called the National Defence Academy (NDA). Before continuing to their separate service academies for additional pre-commissioning training, the Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets train here together.

For admission to the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy, candidates must pass the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam.

UPSC NDA Vs CDS: Which Is Tougher, Easier, and Better?

Students in our school frequently ask us which branch of the Indian Armed Forces offers the best chances, duties, education, ranks, and pay. Both the NDA (National Defense Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) tests are required for enlistment in the Indian Armed Forces. The Union Public Service Commission conducts both of these exams twice a year (UPSC). The hiring procedures for the NDA and CDS exams are quite similar and dissimilar. Here, we shall distinguish between and analyze the aspects involved in both exams’ recruitment processes before determining the superior option.

UPSC NDA Vs CDS: Overview

Key differences between NDA and CDS are as follows: 

Key Points of Difference	NDA	CDS
Age Limit	16.5-19.5 Years	19-25 Years
Eligibility Criteria	Men can apply for this	Men & Women both can apply for this
Educational Qualification	Candidate should have a 10+2 Certificate from a recognized institute.	The candidate should be Graduated from a recognized university.
Scheme of Examination	Written exam and SSB interview	Written exam and SSB interview
Frequency of the Exam	Conducted two times in a year	Conducted two times in a year
Centres for Training	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 Cadets Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala for Navy Cadets Indian Air Force Academy, Hyderabad for Air Force Officers Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
Rank assigned after the training completes	Lieutenant	Lieutenant

NDA Vs CDS Promotion

The pay and benefits provided to the officers chosen via the NDA and CDS exams vary greatly. The differences in compensation, benefits, and opportunities for promotion are listed below.

Rank-wise Category	Promotional Avenues  (Minimum Time of Commissioned Service for Promotion)
	NDA	CDS
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

UPSC NDA Vs CDS: Why CDS Salary is more than NDA?

Officers in the CDS earn higher money than those in the NDA. A CDS officer’s compensation begins at 45–50 K, but an NDA officer’s income begins at 21 K. And the pay is consistent with the position. However, NDA is superior because pupils can apply for it after they finish grade 12. Therefore, it is quite simple to handle the training for three years if we include physical training. Although the CDS training duration is shorter, it is quite challenging to complete it.

Compare the salary structure of NDA and CDS with the tables provided  below:

NDA Salary Structure

Ranks	NDA salary
Lieutenant to Major	Lieutenant: Level 10 (Rs.56,100 – Rs.1,77,500)Captain: Level 10 B (Rs.61,300 – Rs.1,93,900)Major: Level 11 (Rs.69,400 – Rs.2,07,200)
Colonel to Major General	Lieutenant Colonel: Level 12A (Rs.1,21,200-Rs.2,12,400)Colonel: Level 13 (Rs.1,30,600-Rs.2,15,900)Brigadier: Level 13A (Rs.1,39,600-Rs.2,17,600)Major General – Level 14 (Rs.1,44,200-Rs.2,18,200)
Lieutenant General to HAG Scale	Level 15 (Rs.1,82, 200 to Rs.2,24,100)
HAG+Scale	Level 16 (Rs.2,05,400-Rs.2,24,400)
VCOAS/ArmyCdr Lieutenant General (NFSG)	Level 17 (Rs.2,25,000) (fixed)
COAS	Level 18 (Rs.2,50,000) (fixed)

CDS Salary Structure

Rank	Salary
Lieutenant	Level 10 Rs.56,100 -Rs.1,77,500
Captain	Level 10 B Rs.61,300- Rs.1,93,900
Major	Level 11 Rs.69,400 – Rs.2,07,200
Lieutenant Colonel	Level 12A Rs.1,21,200 – Rs.2,12,400
Colonel	Level 13 Rs.1,30,600-Rs.2, 15,900
Brigadier	Level 13A Rs.1,39,600-Rs.2,17,600
Major General	Level 14 Rs.1,44,200-Rs.2,18,200
Lieutenant General HAG Scale	Level 15 Rs.1,82, 200-Rs.2,24,100
HAG+Scale	Level 16 Rs.2,05,400 – Rs.2,24,400
VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)	Level 17 Rs.2,25,000 (fixed)
COAS	Level 18 Rs.2,50,000 (fixed)

UPSC NDA Vs CDS: FAQs