​Introduction

Many aspirants preparing for the Indian Armed Forces often wonder how AFCAT and CDS exams differ from each other.
Understanding this difference is essential to plan your preparation and select the exam that matches your career goals.
Both exams are gateways to a prestigious career in the defence forces, but they differ in eligibility, conducting body, scope, and selection process.

1. Type of Force

As the name suggests, AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is conducted exclusively for entry into the Indian Air Force.
On the other hand, CDS (Combined Defence Services Examination) recruits candidates for all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces — the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

ExamForces You Can Join

AFCATIndian Air Force only

CDSIndian Army, Navy, and Air Force

 2. Conducting Body

• AFCAT is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force.

• CDS is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

ExamConducted By

AFCATIndian Air Force

CDSUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)

 3. Courses Offered

Through AFCAT, both men and women can join the Indian Air Force in the following branches:

• Flying Branch

• Technical Branch

• Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch

Through CDS, only male candidates can apply for all three wings (Army, Navy, Air Force), while female candidates can apply only for OTA (Officers Training Academy), i.e., Short Service Commission in the Non-Technical branch of the Army.

ExamFor WhomCourses Offered

AFCATBoys & GirlsFlying, Technical, and Ground Duty Branches

CDSBoys (All Wings); Girls (OTA Only)Army, Navy, Air Force (for boys); OTA Non-Technical (for girls)

 4. Examination Pattern (AFCAT)

The AFCAT written exam tests a candidate’s overall aptitude through the following sections:

A. General Awareness: History, Sports, Geography, Environment, Civics, Science, Defence, Art, Culture, Current Affairs, and Politics
B. Verbal Ability in English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Synonyms, Antonyms, Vocabulary
C. Numerical Ability: Decimal Fractions, Simplification, Averages, Profit & Loss, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest
D. Reasoning and Military Aptitude: Verbal and Spatial Skills

 5. Strategy for Preparation

Success in both AFCAT and CDS exams demands consistent preparation, discipline, and conceptual clarity.
Start your preparation early and stay focused on understanding the basics — most questions test your conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization.

🧭 Preparation Tips:

• Build a strong foundation in English, Maths, and General Knowledge.

• Practice mock tests and previous year question papers.

• Stay updated with current affairs and defence-related news.

• Revise regularly to improve accuracy and speed.

 6. Eligibility Criteria

For both exams, candidates must hold a graduation degree (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, B.Tech, etc.).
However, the age criteria vary according to the course and branch.

AFCAT Age Limits

• Flying Branch: 19 to 23 years

• Technical Branch: 18 to 28 years

• Ground Duty (Non-Technical):

  • Graduate: 20–23 years

  • Postgraduate: 20–25 years

  • LLB: 20–26 years

  • M.Ed / Ph.D / CA / ICWA: 20–27 years

 7. Summary of Key Differences

FeatureAFCATCDS

Conducting BodyIndian Air ForceUPSC

Forces CoveredAir Force onlyArmy, Navy, and Air Force

For WomenFlying, Technical, Ground DutyOTA (Army Non-Technical) only

Exam FrequencyTwice a yearTwice a year

Mode of Application  for Air Force "UPSC official website"

Result Time Within -1 month2–3 months

SSB Call - After written test 

 Conclusion

Both AFCAT and CDS are excellent opportunities for aspirants aiming to serve the nation.
The choice depends on your career preference — whether you wish to join only the Air Force through AFCAT or explore all three wings through CDS.

At Indus Rangers Defence Academy, we guide and train students for both AFCAT and CDS with expert mentorship, comprehensive study materials, and SSB-oriented sessions.

 Call to Action

Ready to start your journey toward a career in the Indian Armed Forces?
Join Indus Rangers Defence Academy today and prepare for AFCAT and CDS under the guidance of experienced professionals.