NDA vs CDS vs AFCAT: Which Defence Exam Should You Target?

Side-by-side comparison of NDA, CDS and AFCAT — eligibility, exam difficulty, training duration, and which exam fits your age, qualification and career goal.

If you have decided on a career as a commissioned Officer, the next question is: which entry exam should you write? This guide compares the three flagship routes — NDA, CDS and AFCAT — so you can pick the one that fits your stage of education and your service preference.

At-a-glance comparison #

Parameter	NDA	CDS	AFCAT
Conducted by	UPSC	UPSC	Indian Air Force
Frequency	Twice a year	Twice a year	Twice a year
Minimum qualification	10+2	Graduation	Graduation
Age	16.5–19.5	19–25 (varies)	20–26
Subjects tested	Maths + GAT	English, GK, Maths (for IMA/AFA)	English, GK, Reasoning, Numerical, Military Aptitude
Training academy	NDA Khadakwasla → IMA/AFA/INA	IMA / AFA / INA / OTA	AFA Hyderabad
Time to commission	~4 years	~1.5 years	~1.5 years

Choose NDA if… #

You're in Class 11 or 12 with strong Maths
You want the longest, most prestigious training pipeline
You're medically fit and physically active

Choose CDS if… #

You're already in college or just graduated
You're aiming for IMA (Army), INA (Navy), AFA (Air Force technical) or OTA (Short Service)
You missed the NDA age window

Choose AFCAT if… #

The Indian Air Force is your specific goal
You want flying, technical or ground duty branches
You prefer a focused, single-service exam

Difficulty honestly compared #

NDA Maths is harder than CDS Maths
CDS English is the most demanding of the three
AFCAT has the broadest variety but a more forgiving cut-off

What our defence faculty recommends #

Most serious aspirants prepare for two parallel exams (e.g. NDA + AFCAT, or CDS + AFCAT). It doubles your attempts in a year and increases your chances of clearing SSB.

Talk to an SCFE defence mentor for a personalised exam-selection plan.

324 words · 1 min read · Published 30 April 2026