NDA SSB vs CDS SSB: Similarities or Differences
Are you aspiring to join Defense forces of India? So which option suits you best, NDA or CDS? Are you still confused? Most of the youngsters face this confusion because the selection process for the NDA or CDSE is approximately same. After clearing both the exams, you have to appear for the SSB interview. So where is the difference between CDSE and NDA?
NDA SSB vs CDS SSB: Similarities or Differences
Actually, the difference lies at the level of qualification and expectations. NDA exams can be taken by the candidates who have passed their senior secondary and are not graduates, while CDSE Exams are for graduates.
If you clear the NDS examination and pass the SSB interview after that, you will be commissioned as an officer only after 4 years of total training. It is like, you get your graduation at NDA.
While if you clear the CDSE examination and pass the SSB interview, you will have to take a one-year training to get promoted to the rank of the officer.
See Also: Complete NDA Selection Process
Let us understand the basic difference between the two with the help of a table:
| S.No. | Criteria | NDA | CDS |
| 1. | Qualification | 12th | Graduation |
| 2. | Training period to become officer | 4 years | 1 year |
| 3. | Age | 16.5 – 19 years | 19-24 years |
| 4. | Exam Pattern | Maths – 300 Marks
General Ability – 600 Marks |
English – 100 marks
Mathematics– 100 marks General Knowledge – 100 marks
|
| 5. | Selection Process | Written Exam
Interview Physical and Medical Test |
Written Exam
Interview Physical and Medical Test |
| 6. | Eligible for which wing of army | Indian Army
Navy AirForce |
Army
Navy Airforce |
| 7. | Interview process | 5-6 days | 5-6 days |
| 8 | Exams | Twice a year | Twice a year |
So, it must be very clear to you by now that what the basic difference between the two examinations is. The difference lies not in the selection procedure of the SSB, but the candidate’s quality. Quality and the level of performance are the two parameters where lies the basic difference between the two.
How does the interviewer measure the quality of the candidate for NDA and CDSE?
The quality is measured by the interviewer in relation to the exposure of the particular candidate. Let me explain you by giving an example.
If a particular candidate has attained a professional degree, say B.Tech., naturally, the interviewer or the examining committee will consider him/her as more effective and will try to evaluate on that basis.
Candidates, who apply for the NDA exams are just 12th passed. What am I trying to say this, a candidate who has just passed class 12th is sure to have been going through a state of development.
So interviewer evaluates such candidates keeping in mind the relevant things like the state of mind of the candidate, physical strength etc.
A candidate, who has already passed the B.Tech., has a different state of mind, personality, a way of thinking etc., and the interviewer expects a maturity from them.
The Chances of selection in NDA and CDSE
Frankly speaking, the chances of selection in NDA are far more robust than that of the CDSE. There are two major reasons for that:
1. The rejection levels are high in CDSE because according to SSB, the graduate level entries can only be recommended if the candidate is perfect in all sense. The SSB expects that the candidate taken through the CDSE examination should in a tailor-made officer material already and in the 5-6 day interview, they just look for all such traits in his/her personality.
As the scope of correction is very less after the selection, so they do not take any chance while selecting the CDSE candidates. Don’t feel demotivated. If you feel that your ‘mansa, karma and vaacha’ (thoughts, words, and actions) are of a true leader, you are sure to crack the exam.
While the NDA SSB candidate is young. If any NDA candidate shows a little spark, the chances of selection become high. It is because a young person is trainable if he has good qualities if not the exceptional ones. But a person nearly steeping in adulthood is difficult to be trained to change his traits.
2. The vacancies in CDSE are very less compared to NDA. This difference in the selection ratio is also a major counting factor. In CDS SSB batch, in one batch of 100 persons, on an average, only 2-5 are selected. Though the value is not fixed, but generally, it is so. There may be a chance that more candidates are selected or no candidate is selected at all.
SSB Interview technique and schedule
To take part in the SSB interview, you first need to fill an online form from their site, if you have already cleared the required entrance tests. Now once your form is accepted, you are called for the interview.
The interview is a 5-day long process. Before the start of the interview, you have to register or report at the venue of the interview. There, you will be given lunch, dinner and a bed to rest.
Read: NDA and CDS SSB Selection Centres
You cannot leave the premises without the permission. The coming 5 days are well decided for all candidates:
First Day: ‘Screening Test’
It includes a basic set of questions. Your aptitude, reasoning, verbal ability are all checked on this day.
Second Day: ‘Psychological Tests’
On this day, you will have four major tests: Situation Reaction Test, Self-Description Test, Thematic Appreciation Test and Word Association Test.
Third and Fourth Day: ‘GTO Tasks’
On this day, tests are taken by the GTO Officers. They let the candidates perform various different types of task, like GDs, Half Group Task, Final Group Task, Military Planning Exercises etc.
Fifth Day
This is an easy day. Everybody is called in the conference room and are asked the general questions about food, stay etc.If selected, the candidate has to undergo the medical tests for the next 5-6 days.
I think, now you are clear in your mind about what is the difference between CDSE and NDA is? Decide which one is best for you and pursue your aim.
We wish you ALL the BEST in all of your endeavors.