Exams Defence CAPF-AC vs CDS Comparison: Check Eligibility, Age, Pay, Promotion, Training and Syllabus

Written By Aaron_K
Last Modified 09-05-2023

CAPF-AC vs CDS Comparison: Check Eligibility, Age, Pay, Promotion, Training and Syllabus

India has many ways for people who want to help their country to do so. There are two famous ways for people to join the Indian Armed Forces: the Central Armed Police Forces – Assistant Commandant (CAPF-AC) Exam and the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam.

Both tests can lead to a job in the uniformed forces. This piece will compare and contrast these two exams regarding who can take them, their age, pay, promotion, training, and syllabus.

CAPF-AC vs CDS

We’ll look at how CAPF-AC and CDS are similar and different from the sections mentioned below.

1. Eligibility Criteria

A candidate for CAPF-AC must be an Indian national and have a bachelor’s degree from a known university. On the other hand, candidates for CDS must have a bachelor’s degree from an approved university or be in the last year of their degree programme. Candidates for the CDS must also have passed their 10+2 exams with Maths and Physics as topics.

2. Age

Both tests have age limits. For CAPF-AC, you have to be between 20 and 25 years old, and for CDS, you have to be between 19 and 24 years old.

3. Syllabus

The test plans for the CAPF-AC and CDS are very different. The CAPF-AC exams rely on General Ability and Intelligence, General Studies, Essays, and Comprehension. On the other hand, CDS tests have sections on English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Math. The candidate’s chosen branch of service also changes the course of study for the CDS.

4. Pay Scale

Both CAPF-AC officers and CDS officers get good pay. The basic salary for CAPF-AC officers is INR 56,100 per month, while the basic salary for CDS officers ranges from INR 56,100 to INR 2,50,000 per month, based on their rank. Both jobs also come with extra payments for things like food, travel, and rent.

5. Promotion Prospects

Both the CAPF-AC and the CDS make it clear how to move up in rank. In the CAPF-AC, promotions are based on seniority and performance. After five years of service, an officer is usually moved to Deputy Commandant. How far you can go depends on your experience and how well you do your job.

In the CDS, promotions are based on seniority and meeting service requirements. After several years of service, soldiers are moved up to higher ranks.

6. Training

Officers in the CAPF-AC and CDS go through tough and challenging training. Officers in the CAPF-AC go through a six-month basic training programme and then more specialised training in their areas.

CDS officers spend a year in training at either the Indian Military Academy or the Officer’s Training Academy, based on the branch of service they choose. The training programme prepares soldiers for their armed forces jobs by giving them theoretical and hands-on training.

Conclusion

People who want to serve their country in uniform can find great chances through CAPF-AC and CDS. CDS allows people to serve in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. CAPF-AC is more for people who are interested in militia forces.

Both tests have different requirements for who can take them. For CAPF-AC, you need a bachelor’s degree, but for CDS, you can be in your last year of college. The pay scales for both jobs are pretty good, and there are many ways to move up in both jobs.

Lastly, the training for both jobs is hard and demanding because it is meant to prepare officers for their jobs in the military.

In the end, CAPF-AC and CDS are great opportunities for people who want to serve their country in uniform. Even though each exam has different requirements for who can take it, pay scales, chances of getting promoted, and training programmes, both can lead to an exciting and rewarding job.

Here are some of the most common questions people have about CAPF-AC vs CDS:

Q: What’s the difference between CAPF-AC and CDS regarding who can join and how old they have to be?

Ans: For CAPF-AC (Central Armed Police Forces Assistant Commandant), you need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. For CDS (Combined Defence Services), you need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or the equivalent. For CAPF-AC, the age limit is between 20 and 25. For CDS, the age limit is between 19 and 24 for the Indian Military Academy and between 19 and 25 for the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy.

Q: How are the pay of CAPF-AC officers and CDS officers different?

Ans: A CAPF-AC officer’s monthly starting pay is about INR 56,100. A CDS officer’s starting pay ranges from INR 56,100 to INR 61,300 per month, based on their rank and where they are posted.

Q: How do the chances of getting promoted vary between the CAPF-AC and the CDS?

Ans: In the CAPF-AC, promotions are based on a policy with a time limit and an officer’s success. On average, officers are promoted to higher ranks every 4 to 5 years. In the CDS, promotions are based on merit and seniority. Officers move up to higher places based on how well they do in training, on tests, and in their work experience.

Q: How is the training for CAPF-AC officers different from that for CDS officers?

Ans: At the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad, CAPF-AC officers undergo a 51-week training programme, including classroom and field training. CDS officers undergo a 49-week training programme at the training school for their chosen service. This programme includes both theoretical and hands-on training.

Q: How are the test plans for the CAPF-AC and CDS exams alike and different?

Ans: Paper 1 (General Ability and Intelligence) and Paper 2 (General Studies, Essay, and Comprehension) are the two written parts of the CAPF-AC test. The CDS test will have three writing parts: one on English, one on general knowledge, and one on elementary maths. A physical fitness test and a personal discussion are also part of both exams.

We hope that the above article has helped you. Embibe hopes you do well on the test and wants the best for you. Check out the Embibe app for questions about this piece or the test. We’ll be glad to help you out.

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