NDA v/s CDS OFFICERS: KNOW ALL THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
National Defence Academy (NDA) and Combined Defence Services (CDS) are the two central gateways to join Indian Armed Forces. They both lie at the priority of Defence aspirants. Thousands of citizens from all over the nation aspire to clear these exams each year, however only a few of them get selected. What makes NDA and CDS so special, let’s find out under the banner of similarities and differences between NDA and CDS Officers as mentioned below:
NDA: National Defence Academy is located in Khadakwasla, Pune and is the first Academy in the world to provide tri- service in terms of Indian Navy, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force. The entrance exam could be taken after class 12th.
CDS: Combined Defence Services (CDS) is an exam which is conducted with the motive of recruiting candidates for admission in Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. The entrance exam could be taken after graduation.
TRAINING CENTERS: The training in NDA is provided at the following centers:
NDA- Khadakwasla; IMA, Dehradun; INA, Ezhimala; AFA, Hyderabad.
The training provided in CDS includes the following centers:
IMA, Dehradun for Army cadets; INA, Ezhimala for Navy cadets; AFA, Hyderabad for Air Force Officers; and OTA, Chennai.
Age- NDA-16-19 Years, CDS- 19-25 Years
Eligibility- NDA- Men Only, CDS- Men &Women
SCHEME OF EXAMINATION-
NDA-Written + SSB
CDS-Written + SSB
FREQUENCY OF EXAMINATION-
NDA- Twice a Year
CDS- Twice a Year
TIME PERIOD: The training at NDA lasts up to 36 months while that of CDS lasts up to 12 to 18 months. In NDA the training session comprises of 4 years for Navy and Army and 4.5 years for Air Force cadets. In CDS, on the other hand, the training is scheduled for 1.5 years for Army cadets, 37 to 40 months for Navy cadets and 74 months for Air Force cadets.
DEGREES AWARDED: On completion of training the candidates are awarded the following degrees in NDA:
Army cadets: B.Sc, B.tech, B.A
Navy cadets: B.tech
Air force cadets: B.tech
Furthermore, on completion of training in CDS cadets are awarded the following ranks:
Army cadets: PG Diploma in military and Defence management.
OTA: PG Diploma in Defence management and Strategic studies.
RANKS: Both NDA and CDS Officers are awarded the ranks of Lieutenant after training.
PAY SCALE: The difference between pay scale of NDA and CDS Officers is:
|
Rank |
NDA Officer Pay (in Rupees) |
CDS Officer (Total Pay in Rupees) |
|
|
Rank Pay |
Grade Pay |
||
|
Lieutenant |
15,600—39,100/- |
5,400/- |
56,100 – 1,77,50 |
|
Captain |
15,600—39,100/- |
6,100/- |
6,13,00-1,93,900 |
|
Major |
15,600—39,100/- |
6,600/- |
6,94,00 – 2,07,200 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
37,400—67,000/- |
8,000/- |
1,21,200 – 2,12400 |
|
Colonel |
37,400—67,000/- |
8,700/- |
1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
|
Brigadier |
37,400—67,000/- |
8,900/- |
1,39,600-2,17,600 |
|
Major General |
37,400—67,000/- |
10,000/- |
1,44,200-2,18,200 |
|
Lieutenant General HAG Scale |
67,000/–79,000/- |
– |
1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
|
HAG + Scale |
75,500/- 80,000/- |
– |
2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
|
VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) |
80,000/- |
– |
2,25,000/-(fixed) |
|
COAS |
90,000/- (fixed) |
– |
2,25,000/-(fixed) |
Add to that, the Officers ranging from Lieutenant rank up to Brigadier also get Military Service Pay (MSP). The difference is that NDA Officers receive Rs. 6,000/- per month while the CDS Officers get Rs. 15,500 per month.
ALLOWANCES: Apart from salary Officers in NDA and CDS also receive various allowances such as:
|
Type |
NDA Officer (in Rupees pm) |
CDS Officer (in Rupees pm) |
|
Dearness Allowance |
Equal to Civilian Gazetted Officers |
Equal to Civilian Gazetted Officers |
|
Kit Maintenance Allowance |
400/- |
Subsumed into DA |
|
High Altitude Allowance |
1,060/- |
3,400 – 25,000/- |
|
Siachen Allowance |
Not Applicable |
42,500/- |
|
Uniform allowance |
14,000/- (initial) and 3,000/- (every 3 years) |
Subsumed into proposed DA |
|
Transport allowance |
1,600 – 3,200 /- + DA |
3,600 – 7,200 /- + DA |
|
Children Education Allowance |
Not Applicable |
Rs. 2,250/per month/per child for two children from Nursery – XII |
NOTE: The newly proposed Daily Allowance (DA) is Rs. 20,000 per month for CDS Officers.
FLYING ALLOWANCE: The flying allowance of NDA and CDS Officers is:
|
Rank/Position |
NDA Officers (in Rupees/pm) |
CDS Officers (in Rupees/pm) |
|
Lieutenant |
9,000/- |
25,000/- (fixed) |
|
Captain |
11,000/- |
|
|
Major to Colonel |
14,000/- |
|
|
Brigadier & above |
10,500/- |
RANK AND COMMISSION: Talking about various ranks, promotion, scope and time of commission here are a few details:
|
Rank |
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 |
QUALIFICATION PAY: Lat but not the least the qualification pay of NDA and CDS Officers remains same and has the following structure:
|
Rank/Position |
Qualification Pay (in Rupees) |
|
Master Aviation Instructor |
500/- p.m. |
|
Senior Aviation Instructor Class I |
400/- p.m. |
|
Senior Aviation Instructor Class II |
280/- p.m. |
|
Aviators holding Master Green Card |
400/- p.m. |
|
Aviators holding Green Card |
280/- p.m. |
Be it NDA or CDS, hard work co joined with smart work is a must to mark your entry into Indian Armed Forces. So leave no gap in a good preparation. All the best!
