What is the difference between NDA and TES?

Q: What is the Educational Qualification requirement for NDA & TES Entry?

For NDA – Candidates from every stream of 10+2 can apply. However, for Airforce and Navy – Physics and Maths are mandatory in 10+2. For TES – the candidates with a minimum of 70% marks in PCM of their 10+2, can apply.

The difference between NDA and TES entry.

The Indian Armed Forces are one of the largest and most respected forces in the world. The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard provide a wide range of employment opportunities to young men and women who want to serve the country. You can join the armed forces by either completing your Graduation or Post-graduation or just after completing your 12^th Standard. For later options, there are popularly 2 entries through which the candidates join the armed forces – The NDA Entry (The National Defence Academy) and the TES Entry or Technical Entry Scheme.

Both entries might appear to be the same, but they differ on many parameters. It can be difficult to decide whether you should attempt the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam or Technical Entry Scheme (TES). The objective of this article is to help aspirants who are confused about NDA and Indian Army TES Entry to join the Defence forces. We will look at the basic difference between NDA and TES entry.

NDA vs TES

The National Defence Academy or NDA and Officers’ Training Academy are some of the elite institutions of our country that impart training to the candidates who are selected through these entries. They not only get a formal education in these institutes but also go through rigorous training. After completing their basic training the candidates move to their selected service based on their type of entry and merit. So, let us understand the difference between NDA and TES.

Difference Between NDA and TES Entry

Let’s understand the difference between NDA and TES on some of the basic parameters like educational qualification, required age limit, selection procedure, and other important parameters. The below table highlights the difference between NDA and TES

Parameters	NDA	TES Entry
Education Qualification	Candidates from every stream can apply. For the Army division – 12th Class of 10+2, for the Airforce and Navy – Physics and Maths are mandatory	To fill out the form – candidates with a minimum of 70% marks in PCM of 10+2, can apply.
Written Exam	Yes, You have to clear the written exam	No written Exam.
Selection Criteria	You must clear the written exam and then SSB Interview	You will get the call letter for SSB if you clear the cut-off of decided for that year. Then clear the SSB Interview
Age Limit	Between 16.5 to 19.5 years – This age should be with respect to the start of the course at NDA	16.5 to 19.5 years – This age should be with respect to the start of the course at OTA
Training Academy	NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune	OTA Gaya
Service	NDA entry is for all three services of Defence forces – the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Navy	Only for the Indian Army
Degree on completion of training	Candidates have to choose from a Bachelor of Arts or A Bachelor of Science	Every Candidate gets an Engineering degree
Training Period	3 years in NDA and 1 year in IMA/AFA/INA before getting commissioned.	1-year Military Training at OTA (Gaya) and 4 years at any one of the below colleges CME Pune MCTE Mhow, MCEME Secunderabad (1-year post-commission training)
Technical Allowance	As NDA candidates are in the non-Technical field, they don’t get Technical Allowance	The candidates receive a suitable monthly technical allowance

Difference between NDA and TES – Some other Parameters

Promotions are one the important part of any job. We all know that officers who are from NDA Entry have a better and faster chance of getting promotions if we compare them with TES Entry officers. Most of the Chief of staff are from NDA entry.

If a candidate who joins the Armed forces through NDA entry has the opportunity to join different arms of the Army, Navy, or Airforce depending upon their merit and selection. On the other hand, the Officer of TES Entry has a limited opportunity as they get into the technical arms of the Indian Army.

As The TES officers are in the technical arms of the Army, they receive more pay allowance compared to NDA officers who are in the non-technical arms of the Army.

The Conclusion

Thus till now, you might have understood the basic difference between NDA and TES entry. The common thing in both entries is that you get the opportunity to serve the nation by joining the prestigious defense forces and becoming a Grade-A officer of the Indian Armed Forces.

So, I hope you would have decided which entry better suits you. It’s better that you go for both entries and give your best in them. Then take the opportunity which you think is best for you.

Hope this article would have given some insights into the basic difference between NDA and TES Entry. If you have any queries or need clarification on any other topic of the SSB interview, feel free to mail us at [email protected].

All the best for your SSB.

Jai Hind.

Must Read

Can I apply for both the NDA and the TES entry at the same time?

Definitely, you can apply for both entries simultaneously. You have to proceed with whichever entry you clear. If you clear both the entry you have to select anyone.

Which branch of the Indian Army is offered through TES Entry?

Once you clear the TES Entry of the Indian Armed Forces, you will join the technical branch of the Indian Armed Forces.

What is the Educational Qualification requirement for NDA & TES Entry?

For NDA – Candidates from every stream of 10+2 can apply. However, for Airforce and Navy – Physics and Maths are mandatory in 10+2.
For TES – the candidates with a minimum of 70% marks in PCM of their 10+2, can apply.

Is there any age limit difference between NDA and TES Entries?

No. There is no age limit difference between NDA and TES Entries. The Age limit for both entries is 16.5 to 19.5 years.