SSB & Defence Exam Comparisons

Defence exam comparison hub illustration — two diverging paths for NDA and CDS aspirants with Air Force and CAPF symbols in the background, representing side-by-side SSB and defence entry comparisons.

Straight, side-by-side answers to the questions defence aspirants ask most often — NDA vs CDS, TAT vs PPDT, AFCAT vs INET, NDA vs TES, CDS vs CAPF, Permanent vs SSC, Army vs Navy vs Air Force, SSB vs CAPF interview. Every page is a full comparison — eligibility, format, difficulty, marking, preparation strategy and a clear verdict.

NDA vs CDS comparison illustration — split paths showing a Class 12 cadet heading toward the National Defence Academy and a graduate officer candidate toward IMA/AFA/INA gates, representing the two flagship UPSC Indian Armed Forces entries.

NDA vs CDS

Eligibility, training length, service branches and pay — a clear side-by-side of the two most popular Indian Armed Forces entries.

Read comparison →
TAT vs PPDT comparison illustration — split screen with a clear Day-2 TAT psychology slide on one side and a hazy Day-1 PPDT screening slide on the other, with a candidate writing below both SSB picture tests.

TAT vs PPDT

Both are picture tests, but PPDT screens you in and TAT scores your imagination. Format, timing, marking and preparation compared.

Read comparison →
AFCAT vs CDS comparison illustration — two routes to the Indian Air Force: an AFCAT aspirant with wings symbol toward a fighter aircraft silhouette and a CDS-AFA candidate toward academy gates.

AFCAT vs CDS

Both routes lead to the Indian Air Force — but the exam, branches, permanency and prep effort differ sharply. A clean side-by-side.

Read comparison →
SSB vs CAPF interview comparison illustration — an SSB Interviewing Officer with PIQ file in a cabin opposite a CAPF Assistant Commandant panel of officers at a table, representing the 5-day SSB versus single-day CAPF personality test.

SSB vs CAPF Interview

One is a 5-day officer-selection ordeal. The other is a single-day personality test. What the two interviews actually test — and what you should prepare for each.

Read comparison →
NDA vs TES comparison illustration — split paths showing a Class 12 student toward the National Defence Academy and an engineering graduate toward Technical Entry Scheme Army training.

NDA vs TES

Class 12 via NDA or engineering via TES 10+2 — eligibility, training, branches, SSB and career compared side by side.

Read comparison →
CDS vs CAPF comparison illustration — CDS graduate officer candidate at IMA gates versus CAPF Assistant Commandant aspirant at paramilitary academy with BSF/CRPF insignia.

CDS vs CAPF

UPSC CDS for Army/Navy/Air Force commission vs CAPF Assistant Commandant — exam, training, role, pay and lifestyle compared.

Read comparison →
AFCAT vs INET comparison illustration — Air Force wings path toward fighter aircraft versus Navy anchor path toward warship silhouette for Indian defence graduate entries.

AFCAT vs INET

IAF via AFCAT or Navy via INET — eligibility, branches, exam pattern, SSB centres and commission type compared.

Read comparison →
Permanent Commission vs Short Service Commission comparison illustration — long-career PC officer parade versus SSC officer with 10–14 year service timeline in Indian Armed Forces.

PC vs SSC

Permanent vs Short Service Commission in the Indian Armed Forces — tenure, pension, promotion ceiling, OTA vs IMA and when SSC converts to PC.

Read comparison →
Army vs Navy vs Air Force comparison illustration — three diverging paths from one SSB aspirant toward tank, warship and fighter jet silhouettes representing service preference choice.

Army · Navy · Air Force

Three services, one SSB — lifestyle, training academies, role, medical standards and career character compared so you pick the right preference.

Read comparison →
TES vs TGC comparison illustration — Class 12 JEE Main path toward OTA Gaya technical training versus engineering graduate Technical Graduate Course entry in Indian Army technical arms.

TES vs TGC

Both are Army technical Permanent Commission routes — but TES is 10+2 via JEE Main and TGC is graduate via CDS/GATE. Eligibility, training and SSB compared.

Read comparison →
INET vs CDS Navy comparison illustration — Indian Navy INET graduate entry path versus UPSC CDS-INA route toward Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala.

INET vs CDS

INET (Indian Navy) and CDS-INA both commission Navy officers — exam pattern, branches, age, permanency and SSB centres compared.

Read comparison →
NDA vs AFCAT comparison illustration — Class 12 UPSC NDA path toward tri-service academies versus graduate AFCAT route toward Indian Air Force Flying and Ground Duty branches.

NDA vs AFCAT

NDA after Class 12 commissions you in Army, Navy or Air Force. AFCAT after graduation targets the IAF (and related branches). Eligibility, exams and SSB compared.

Read comparison →
CAPF Assistant Commandant vs Army Short Service Commission comparison illustration — paramilitary internal security officer versus OTA short-service Army officer career paths.

CAPF vs Army SSC

CAPF-AC (BSF, CRPF, CISF…) vs Army Short Service Commission — role, tenure, pay, lifestyle, exam path and what each interview tests.

Read comparison →

Once you've picked an entry, start free timed practice for the SSB.

Start free TAT simulator →