What is the similarity and difference between CDS and ACC exam?

Combined Defence Services (CDS) is the exam for recruitment into that of Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, even that of Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. However, if you speak of ACC, it stands for Army Cadet College in Indian Army terminology. ACC is one of the various types of officer enrolment entries of Indian Army. There is one prime difference between other entries and this ACC. The difference is ACC exam is actually exclusive for all serving soldiers of Army, no matter Navy and Air Force. ACC is even one and only entry that is held for all the three defence force personnel. By the way Army Cadet College is also different as it does not really need or require graduation degree.

In case you are a soldier in Army or that of Air Force or Navy with two years of service, you actually are eligible to apply for ACC exam. Soldiers who get through successfully the ACC exams and enter into the Army Cadet College, they are going to study graduation and then are going to become commissioned officers in Indian Army. All ACC cadets do their training in the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Once they have successfully done and completed their training, they are going to be awarded graduation degree in Science and humanities. But here, note that in case you are looking for entrance in Indian Army, Navy & Air Force Services after your graduation, then CDS gets you a great opportunity to enter into it.

CDS exam gets conducted on national level twice a year by UPSC – Union Public Service Commission. This Exam is formed up of mainly three stages (Four stages for Air Force). All such stages of selection procedure are crucial, and these are:

For IMA, INA & OTA

• Written Exam
• 5 Days Interview by SSB
• Medical Fitness Test

For overall Air Force – AFA

• Written Exam
• 5 Days Interview by SSB
• Computerized Pilot Selection System Test – CPSS

Medical Fitness Test

Training – After clearing the above-mentioned tests, finalized applicants are called for the training in concern or related branch.

Rank awarded after successful and proper training of cadets – On fruitful completion of training Gentlemen Cadets are given Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer in Air Force, that of Lieutenant in Army, Sub-Lieutenant in Navy and even that of Short Service Commission at the rank of Lieutenant via OTA.

ACC or Army Cadet College entry commissioning

ACC or Army Cadet College entry commissioning possess various advantages for the Indian Army. Main advantage is it recruits serving soldiers who are actually already well disciplined and appreciate Army lifestyle. Moulding serving soldiers is somewhat easy as compared to their civilian counterparts. Officers of Army Cadet College also helpful to the Indian Army as they have witnessed the life of soldiers and thus, they are better concerned about the look after of soldiers. Then ACC offers an opportunity to the serving soldiers to become officers in the Army. This gets great amount of career progression and even that of competitive mindset amidst all soldiers.

Apart from this ACC officers are actually believed to be the best of the best in the Indian Army. In case you are a serving soldier and wish to become an officer in the Indian Army, then surely ACC exam is meant for you only.

On the other hand, it is true that a career in armed forces might be very exciting. Many of people join because they really want to serve their country and others join simply for a job. Whatever the reason the fact is a lot of candidates apply for CDS exam every single year. It gets handsome income, so many allowances, and most importantly a respectful life. Not to skip you get a full retirement pension plan that will cover you for the rest of the life.

Conclusion

So, since you have much idea about CDS and ACC, make a sensible choice.