CDS is for graduates while NDA for 10+2 

Hello Ayush, See NDA is much tougher warrior training than the CDS one… Both NDA & CDS give A class officers to Indian defence but only officers passed out through NDA later become Chief of all three defence forces (Army/ Navy/ Air). Salary would be same (but your experience at NDA would be much more valuable than those)… NDA Converts a champ into a scholar warrior….where as in CDS a scholar is converted into a warrior.

After clearing CDS examination you have to appear for SSB and medical. Now you can join one of the academy, where the training would be an year long and after that you will become a commissioned officer. The training imparted in NDA is more difficult.

Hole this will help... For further query be free to contact... All the best

Hi Ayush,

Dear Candidate
there is a lot of difference between NDA and CDS exam.
NDA = National Defense Academy
CDS = Central Defense Service

NDA exam is held for
1. army
2. navy
3. air force
but the CDS exam is held for
1. IMA = Indian Military Academy
2. OTA
3. Air Force Academy
beside this the Exam date and applying for these exams are also different from each other. 

IN NDA =AGE REQUIRED 16.5-19 YEARS,GRADUATION LEVEL=12TH PASSED,GENDER=ONLY MEN

WHERE AA IN CDS=AGE=19-24 YEARS, GRADUATION LEVEL=ANY GRADUATE OR ANY DEGREE, GENDER=BOTH

UNMARRIED /SINGLE

SHOULD SCORED 60% MINIMUM

SHOULD BE MEDICALLY FIT AND FINE

SHOULD BE CITIZEN OF INDIA 

Good Luck!