Life After Selection: What Happens After You Clear NDA or CDS?
Let me tell you about a phone call I will never forget.
It was 8:30 PM on a Tuesday. My phone rang. It was Vikram—a student who had joined Vision Defence Institute two years ago. He was quiet. He was average. He struggled with English. His parents had almost given up on his defence dream.
I picked up the call.
He didn’t say hello. He just said one sentence, his voice cracking: “Sir. I got recommended. CDS. I’m going to the Academy.”
I cried. He cried. His mother in the background was sobbing.
That night, Vikram wasn’t thinking about the written exam or the SSB or the medicals. He was thinking about one thing: What happens now?
If you are preparing for NDA or CDS, you have probably asked the same question. You have seen the videos of passes-out parades. You have seen officers in uniform. But you don’t know what actually happens after the recommendation letter.
In this guide, I will take you through life after clearing NDA or CDS :
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The day you get recommended (what to do immediately)
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Medical examination (the final hurdle)
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Merit list and joining instructions
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Training at NDA vs IMA/OTA/AFA (what happens inside)
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Daily routine at the academy (hour by hour)
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Salary, allowances, and career progression
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Life as a commissioned officer
Let me show you what is waiting for you on the other side of your hard work.
The Problem: You Are Preparing for the Exam, Not the Life
Here is the truth.
Most aspirants spend 100% of their energy on cracking the written exam and SSB. They never think about what comes after. Then, when they get recommended, they are completely lost.
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“What medical tests will I face?”
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“How long is the training?”
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“Will I get a salary during training?”
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“What if I get injured during training?”
Life after clearing NDA or CDS is not just “congratulations and a uniform.” It is a structured, challenging, transformative journey. And if you are not mentally prepared for it, the training can break you.
At Vision Defence Institute, we don’t just prepare you for the exam. We prepare you for the life of an officer. Our ex-defence faculty—who have lived through NDA, IMA, and active service—tell you exactly what to expect.
Now, let me walk you through every step after that magical phone call.
Step 1: The Day You Get “Recommended” – What Happens Immediately?
You have just finished Day 5 of the SSB. The President calls your name. You walk in. He says: “You are recommended.”
Here is what happens next, hour by hour:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | Recommendation letter handed to you. Your photo is taken. |
| 12:30 PM | You are asked to sign multiple documents. (Read them carefully.) |
| 1:00 PM | You are given a medical appointment letter for the next 2-3 days. |
| 1:30 PM | You call your parents. (Try not to cry. Or cry. Both are fine.) |
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Paperwork. Verification of documents. Multiple forms. |
| Evening | You are taken to a medical board hostel. You do NOT go home yet. |
Important: Being “recommended” does NOT mean you are selected. You still have to clear the medical examination. Many recommended candidates get rejected at the medical stage.
What to pack for the medicals:
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All original documents (10th, 12th, degree certificates)
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10 passport-size photographs
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Your recommendation letter
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A tracksuit and sports shoes (for physical medical tests)
At defence coaching in Madurai (VDI), we give every student a “Post-SSB Medical Checklist” before they even go for their SSB. Forewarned is forearmed.
Step 2: The Medical Examination – The Final Hurdle
Life after clearing NDA or CDS depends entirely on passing this 2-3 day medical marathon.
Day 1 of Medicals: Preliminary Tests
| Test | What They Check |
|---|---|
| Height | Minimum: NDA (157 cm male, 152 cm female), CDS (157.5 cm) |
| Weight | Proportionate to height |
| Chest expansion | Minimum 5 cm expansion |
| Vision | 6/6 in each eye (for flying branch, stricter) |
| Hearing | Whispered speech test |
| Dental | Jaw alignment, cavities, gum health |
| Color vision | Ishihara plates (color blindness test) |
The most common rejection reasons at this stage:
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❌ Vision issues (correctable with LASIK? Yes, but specific rules apply)
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❌ Flat foot (Yes, this is a real rejection reason)
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❌ Piles or hernia (Temporary rejection – treatable)
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❌ High blood pressure
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❌ Past medical history (asthma, epilepsy, fractures)
Day 2 of Medicals: Detailed Examination
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X-rays (chest, spine, limbs)
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Blood tests (HIV, hepatitis, blood sugar)
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Urine tests
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ECG (heart function)
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Consultations (physician, surgeon, ophthalmologist, ENT specialist)
Day 3 of Medicals: Specialty Tests (If Needed)
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Medical board review of borderline cases
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Specialist opinions
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Final medical report prepared
What is a “temporary rejection”?
You are not permanently disqualified. You have a correctable condition (e.g., hemorrhoids, low BMI). You get 42 days to fix it and report back for re-examination.
What is a “permanent rejection”?
You cannot join. Conditions like HIV, uncontrolled diabetes, major spinal issues, severe flat foot, color blindness (for certain branches).
VDI Tip: We recommend a pre-SSB medical checkup at a civilian hospital. Find out your issues before you reach the SSB medical board. Fix what you can. Then go.
Step 3: Merit List & Joining Instructions – The Waiting Game
You have cleared the medicals. Now you wait.
The SSB sends your recommendation to UPSC (for NDA/CDS) or IAF (for AFCAT). A merit list is prepared based on:
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Your written exam score (50% weightage)
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Your SSB recommendation (50% weightage)
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Your medical fitness category
Timeline:
| Event | Typical Time After Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Merit list published | 4-8 weeks |
| Joining instructions sent | 6-10 weeks |
| Report to academy | 8-12 weeks |
What you do during this waiting period:
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Maintain your physical fitness (do NOT stop PT)
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Get any pending dental or minor medical work done
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Start reading about the academy (what to pack, what to expect)
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Meet with ex-officers (VDI arranges this for our selected students)
Emotional reality check: The waiting is harder than the preparation. You will check the UPSC website 50 times a day. You will panic if you don’t see your name. This is normal. Breathe.
Step 4: Training Academy – What Happens Inside?
Life after clearing NDA or CDS now takes you to the academy. The training duration varies by entry and academy.
For NDA Candidates (National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years (6 terms) |
| Degree | BA/BSc/BTech from JNU |
| Training type | Academic + Military + Physical |
| Commissioning | 1 additional year at IMA (Army), Naval Academy (Navy), or AFA (Air Force) |
NDA Daily Routine (First Term):
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Wake up, physical training |
| 6:30 AM | Bath, breakfast |
| 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Academic classes |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Military training (drills, weapons, outdoor tasks) |
| 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Sports or extra-curricular activities |
| 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Self-study or prep for next day |
| 9:0 PM | Dinner |
| 10:00 PM | Lights out |
The NDA “Ragging” Truth: The first term is called the “Poppy” term. Seniors will test you. It isn’t ragging (that’s banned). It is character building. You will run extra miles. You will do push-ups for small mistakes. You will learn humility. Every officer who passed through NDA will tell you: it was the hardest and best time of their life.
For CDS Candidates (IMA – Indian Military Academy, Dehradun)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1.5 years (3 terms) – Indian Military Academy |
| Degree | None (pre-commission training) |
| Training type | Military tactics, weapons, leadership, physical |
| Gentleman Cadet (GC) | You are called “GC” from day 1 |
CDS (IMA) Daily Routine:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | PT or cross-country run |
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Academic & military lectures |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Drill, weapons training, field craft |
| 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Sports or outdoor training |
| 8:00 PM | Dinner |
| 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Self-study / preparation |
| 10:30 PM | Lights out |
For CDS (OTA – Officers Training Academy, Chennai):
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year (2 terms) for SSC (Short Service Commission) |
| Gender | Male and Female |
| Focus | Faster training for Short Service Commission |
For AFCAT Candidates (AFA – Air Force Academy, Dundigal)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 74 weeks (approx 1.5 years) |
| Training type | Flying (for pilots), technical (for engineers), ground duty |
| Unique aspects | Flying training on Pilatus, Kiran, Hawk aircraft |
Step 5: Life as a Gentleman Cadet (GC) or Flight Cadet
Life after clearing NDA or CDS inside the academy is nothing like civilian life.
What changes:
| Civilian Life | Academy Life |
|---|---|
| You choose what to wear | Uniform. Everything pressed. Shoes polished. |
| You eat when you want | Mess timings are fixed. You sit with your squad. |
| You speak casually | You address seniors as “Sir.” You stand at attention. |
| You use your phone freely | Phone usage restricted. Limited hours. |
| You sleep in | Wake up is 5 AM. Non-negotiable. |
| You quit hard things | You cannot quit. You finish or you are discharged. |
The emotional journey:
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Month 1-2: “What have I done? I want to go home.”
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Month 3-6: “This is hard, but I am surviving.”
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Month 6-12: “I am changing. I feel stronger.”
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Month 12-18: “I am proud. I am almost there.”
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Passing out parade: “I will cry like a baby.”
The camaraderie: You will make brothers and sisters for life. The person who slept in the bunk next to you will be your best man at your wedding. You will call them 20 years later and they will pick up at 2 AM.
Step 6: Commission – The Day You Become an Officer
At the end of training, you are commissioned as an officer.
The ceremony:
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Your parents pin your stars on your shoulders.
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You take the oath.
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You are now a Lieutenant (in the Army) or Flying Officer (in the Air Force).
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You get your first posting order.
The feeling: There is nothing like it. You will stand taller. You will feel like you can conquer the world. Hug your parents. They made this possible.
Step 7: Salary, Allowances & Career Progression
Life after clearing NDA or CDS comes with financial stability and respect.
Pay Structure for a Commissioned Officer (7th Pay Commission)
| Rank | Level | Pay (₹ per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant / Flying Officer | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain / Flight Lieutenant | Level 10B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major / Squadron Leader | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel / Wing Commander | Level 12 | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel / Group Captain | Level 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier / Air Commodore | Level 13A | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
Allowances (On Top of Basic Pay)
| Allowance | Amount (approx) |
|---|---|
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Varies (around 30-40% of basic) |
| Field Area Allowance | ₹6,300 – ₹25,000 (depending on posting) |
| Flying Allowance (Air Force pilots) | ₹25,000+ per month |
| Submarine/Naval allowance | ₹15,000+ per month |
| Free accommodation | Government quarters (large houses) |
| Free medical | For self and family |
| Canteen facilities | Subsidized goods |
Total starting salary for a Lieutenant: Approximately ₹80,000 – ₹90,000 per month (including allowances).
Pension after retirement: Approximately 50% of last drawn pay + dearness relief.
Step 8: Career as an Officer – What Comes After the Academy?
Life after clearing NDA or CDS continues long after training.
| Time Period | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 0-5 years | Battalion duty. Leading troops. Training courses. |
| 5-10 years | Staff roles. Command of a company. Higher command courses. |
| 10-15 years | Major promotions. Command of a battalion. Key staff appointments. |
| 15-20 years | Colonel / Group Captain. Command of a brigade or large unit. |
| 20-30 years | General / Air Marshal ranks. Strategic leadership roles. |
Postings: You will be moved every 2-3 years. One year in the desert (Rajasthan). Next year in the mountains (Srinagar). Next year in the northeast (Nagaland). You will see India like no civilian ever will.
Retirement: Voluntary after 15 years (with pension). Mandatory after 20 years (for certain ranks). Many officers join corporate security roles, civil services, or start their own ventures.
Common Fears About Life After Selection (Answered)
| Fear | Reality |
|---|---|
| “What if I get injured during training and get discharged?” | You get medical board evaluation. Many injuries heal. You may be transferred to lower physical demand roles. |
| “I will miss my family too much.” | You will. But you will also build a new family. The academy becomes home. |
| “Can I get married during training?” | No. You must wait until after commissioning. |
| “What if I am not good enough?” | Everyone feels this. Including the toppers. Imposter syndrome fades with time. |
| “Do I have to stay in the military forever?” | No. You can apply for premature retirement after 15 years (SSC) or leave after minimum service period. |
Why Vision Defence Institute Prepares You for Life After Selection
Most coaching centers stop at the exam. We don’t.
At Vision Defence Institute, we have ex-servicemen faculty who have lived through NDA, IMA, AFA, and active service.
What we teach beyond the syllabus:
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✅ Medical preparation (pre-SSB checkups, corrective exercises)
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✅ Academy expectations (what you will face day 1)
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✅ Packing lists for joining
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✅ Fitness maintenance for training
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✅ Mentorship calls even after you get recommended
📍 Visit Us:
2ND STOP, S ALANGULAM, Kulamangalam Main Rd, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625017
📞 WhatsApp: +91 81222 87718
📧 Email: visiondefencemduofficial@gmail.com
🌐 Website: https://visiondefence.com/
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