NDA v/s CDS OFFICERS-KNOW ALL THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

NDA v/s CDS OFFICERS-KNOW ALL THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
16-December 2019 1 Comment(s) 2.00

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!