Which exam is tougher: the CDS or the CAPF exam?
09/05/2022
Benefits of CDS and CAPF
After a candidate successfully attempts and passes the CDS and CAPF exams, there are a lot of perks and benefits. Along with the salary, the officers are given high regard in the society, different allowances for daily supplies and other benefits like support for medical insurance and child education funds. Another important aspect to be addressed is the part where you get to grow immensely in the organization. This also ensures a more luxurious and respectable life.
To understand which paper is tougher, we need to look at the CDS Exam Pattern and CAPF Exam Pattern separately. Both the exam patterns are provided below.
CAPF Exam Pattern
Paper - 1
Subjects - General Ability & Intelligence
Maximum Marks - 250
Exam Type - Computer-based test (Objective).
Languages the exam will be conducted in - Hindi and English.
Time Allotted - 2 hours.
Negative Mark Scheme - You will lose 0.33 marks for every wrong answer.
Paper - 2
Subjects - General Studies, Essay, & Comprehension.
Maximum Marks - 200.
Exam Type - Descriptive.
Physical Efficiency Test
| Event | Males | Females |
| 100 Meters Race | Complete in 16 seconds | Complete in 18 seconds |
| 800 Meters Race | Complete in 3 minutes 45 seconds | Complete in 4 minutes 45 seconds |
| Long Jump | 3.5 Meters (In 3 chances) | 3.0 Meters (In 3 chances) |
| Shot Put (7.26 kg) | 4.5 Meters | N.A. |
Interview & Personality Test
Maximum Marks - 150
Exam Pattern for CDS
The CDS Examination has 2 parts. The written exam and the interview process.
CDS Written Exam Pattern For IMA, AFA, INA
| Sl No. | Subject | Duration / Marks | Total |
| 1. | English | 2 Hours / 100 |
6 hours / 300 Marks |
| 2. | General Knowledge | 2 Hours / 100 | |
| 3. | Elementary Maths | 2 Hours / 100 |
For all incorrect answers in this area of the CDS exam, 0.33 marks will be deducted.
CDS OTA Written Exam
| Sl No. | Subject | Duration / Marks | Total |
| 1. | English | 2 hours / 100 | 4 hours / 200 marks |
| 2. | General Knowledge | 2 hours / 100 |
For all incorrect answers in this area of the CDS exam, O.33 marks will be deducted.
The Interview process for the CDS Exam
Stage 1 and Stage 2 interviews will be done. After passing the stage 1 test, candidates will be invited to take the stage 2 exam.
Stage 1: It has OIR that is Officer Intelligence Rating, PP and DT tests.
Stage 2: The second stage includes Psychology assessments, Tasks, Interview, & Conference. This set of exams will be held over four days.
Which is tougher, the CDS paper or CAPF paper?
Now that you have a clear picture of what makes these exams different, let us discuss how and what are the characteristics of the CDS paper and CAPF paper.
Unique Style
Both the CDS examination and the CAPF examination have a unique style. Both recruit candidates to similar fields. One difference between the CDS Exam and the CAPF examination is the fact that the CDS examination is held twice a year. Even though the CDS Examination is conducted twice a year, there are factors that we need to look at before coming to the decision as to which exam is tougher.
Competition
The competition levels for both exams are different. The probability to pass in the CAPF paper is lesser than in the CDS paper. The number of participants in the CAPF examination is lesser. This tips the scales in favour of the CDS exams a little but is not a complete analysis that the CDS Examination is easier in this context.
Syllabus Difference
There is one major difference in the CAPF Syllabus compared to the CDS Syllabus. You can find that In the CDS syllabus, the subject logical reasoning is not there. But in the CAPF Exam syllabus, logical reasoning is there. Let us look at another aspect of the exams mentioned.
Physical Tests
In the CDS examination, there is a compulsory medical fitness test that every candidate has to go through. But in the CAPF examination, the physical fitness test is also one of the major parts of the selection criteria. Candidates who are attempting the CAPF exams have to be aware of the performance in the 100 & 800 meters race, long jump and the shot put (7.26 Kgs).
Difficulty Comparison
When referring to the difficulty level comparison of the CDS and CAPF examinations, we can understand one fact clearly. According to the experts, the toughness level of the CDS Examination is more than the CAPF Examination. This is a very important aspect concerning both the exams. Since the CDS provides entry to the IMA, Indian Navy and the Air force, the paper is set as such a way to select the most qualified and aligned candidates for the roles.
To end the discussion, the CDS examination is a bit tougher than the CAPF Exam. We can say this because apart from one or two instances of difference, both the exams are almost identical.
upGrad Jeet’s Courses for CDS and CAPF
upGrad Jeet has one of the best online study courses for both CDS and CAPF examinations. The course is strategically packed with the best study materials with respect to the CDS Exam Syllabus and the CAPF Exam Syllabus. It also will provide you with the best approach to crack the CDS Exam Paper and the CAPF exam paper.
The coaching provided by upGrad Jeet includes the best mock exams, doubt and revision sessions after a detailed study of each topic mentioned in the syllabus. We wish all candidates success in their exam preparation.
