NDA vs CDS Exam: Key Differences in Eligibility, Pattern, and Focus

Difference between NDA and CDS exam-both the exams are conducted by UPSC simultaneously. The one key difference starts with education qualification. To apply for NDA NA exam candidate has cleared his 10+2 while for applying to CDS exam a graduation degree is needed.

Also Read :- Few Key Take Away For NDA NA I Exam 2025

Both the entry is meant for defense forces. After SSB round CDS is a direct entry to the IMA, INA Air Force or OTA while in NDA candidate has to complete their training before joining the Defense services.

Marriage

Candidates applying for this NDA and CDS must be unmarried though relaxation is given to women candidates who are divorcee or not re married. But this condition is not applicable for male candidate.

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SSB Interview

Both the exam NDA and CDS pass out candidates have to go through Service Selection Board of Defense forces. Psychological Aptitude Test and intelligence Test have been introduced in this selection.

INTELLIGENCE AND PERSONALITY TEST 

The SSB consists of two stage Selection process – mentioned below

Stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for stage II. 

Stage I

It is an Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and is a picture perception Description Test (PP &DT) (a) Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception* Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT. 

Second stage (Stage II) It has four component Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. This is a four day affair.

The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate holistically in all the test. 

Marks in conferences are also allotted based on the initial performance of the Candidate in the three techniques and decision of the Board. All these have equal weightage. The various tests of IO, GTO and Psych are designed to bring out the presence/absence of Officer Like Qualities and their trainability in a candidate. Accordingly candidates are Recommended or Not Recommended at the SSB.

Let us check out the eligibility for both the exam

• NDA:
  • Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years.
  • Qualification:\

Qualification varies little according to the posts as is mentioned below

• For the Army Wing: 12th pass (any stream).
• For the Navy and Air Force Wings: 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics.
• Gender: Open to both male and female candidates.

CDS

For I.M.A. and Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai — Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.

Indian Naval Academy— Degree in Engineering from a recognised University/Institution

 For Air Force Academy—Degree of a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering.

NDA vs CDS Exam: Exam Pattern

Let us check out the exam pattern of both the exam

• NDA:
  • Subjects: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) (English and General Knowledge).
  • Type: Objective-type questions.
  • Total Marks: 900 (300 for Mathematics, 600 for GAT).
  • SSB Interview: 900 marks.
• CDS:

For IMA INA and Air force

For OTA

• For IMA, INA, AFA:
  • Subjects: English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics.
  • Total Marks: 300 (100 marks for each subject).
• For OTA:
  • Subjects: English, General Knowledge.
  • Total Marks: 200 (100 marks for each subject).
• SSB Interview: 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 marks for OTA.

 NDA vs CDS Exam: Focus and Difficulty

• NDA: Exam level is tailored for candidates with Class 12 knowledge.
• CDS: Exam level is more advanced, designed for graduates with a broader knowledge base.