The NDA officer salary for 2025 has been announced alongside the official UPSC NDA notification. Candidates joining NDA start their career with training under the Joint Training Team, receiving a monthly stipend of INR 56,100 during the three-year training period, corresponding to Level 10 of the pay matrix. After training, officers are promoted and posted based on their performance and ability.
The NDA salary follows the 7th Pay Commission and has evolved over the years. In addition to the basic pay, officers receive several allowances, including Dearness Allowance (DA), Military Service Pay (MSP), Grade Pay, House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance. Depending on posting and service conditions, additional allowances such as High Altitude Allowance, Counter Insurgency Allowance, and Field Area Allowance are provided.
After completing training, NDA officers start with a salary of INR 56,100 per month, which can rise up to INR 2,50,000 per month as they progress in rank and experience. The Military Service Pay (MSP) is fixed at INR 15,500 per month to compensate for the unique challenges and risks of military service. Officers reaching the rank of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) can achieve the maximum salary.
The NDA salary ranges from ₹56,100 to ₹2,50,000 or more, depending on rank, experience, and other factors. The salary structure for UPSC NDA officers varies across the three defence services:
For instance, a Lieutenant’s basic pay differs from that of a Captain or Major. In addition to basic pay, allowances such as Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, and House Rent Allowance contribute to the total salary. The NDA salary for UPSC NDA officers in the three defence wings, based on rank, is detailed below.
| NDA Post / Rank | Monthly Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Training Period Stipend | 56,100 |
| Lieutenant | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Lt. General HAG Scale | 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| HAG+ Scale | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS / Army Commander / Lt Gen (NFSG) | 2,25,000 Fixed |
| COAS | 2,50,000 Fixed |
Several factors determine an NDA officer’s salary:
The UPSC NDA exam is held twice a year and consists of two stages: a written examination and the SSB interview. Candidates who clear both stages and secure a place on the merit list are admitted to the National Defence Academy for training.
While NDA officers begin receiving salary and benefits from the start of their training, they are officially commissioned only after completing the three-year training program. During this period, candidates are paid a training stipend along with all applicable allowances. The training period salary also includes arrears for the entire training duration, ensuring that any unpaid allowances are credited to the cadets later.
| Fixed Stipend | Stipend Amount | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend for male/female cadets during the entire training period at Service Academies (e.g., IMA) | Rs. 56,100/- p.m.* | Starting pay in Level 10 |
Candidates selected for the NDA receive a competitive monthly salary. The breakdown of the NDA monthly salary is as follows:
The NDA salary is higher than many private-sector jobs, but the responsibilities and working conditions of an NDA officer differ significantly from those in the private sector.
Candidates serving in the National Defence Forces receive several perks and allowances in addition to their UPSC NDA salary. The official 2025 perks for NDA graduates will be announced by the commission shortly. Meanwhile, aspirants can review the expected allowances and the criteria used to determine each one.
Army aviators (pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps receive a flying allowance of Rs. 25,000 per month.
| Allowance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Admissible at the same rates and conditions as applicable to civilian personnel |
| Kit Maintenance Allowance | INR 20,000 annually (along with Dress Allowances) |
| Para Allowance | Rs. 10,500 per month |
| Special Forces Allowance | Rs. 25,000 per month |
| Para Jump Instructor Allowance | Rs. 10,500 per month |
| Project Allowance | Rs. 3,400 per month |
| Para Reserve Allowance | Rs. 2,625 per month |
| Technical Allowance (Tier-I) | Rs. 3,000 per month |
| Technical Allowance (Tier-II) | Rs. 4,500 per month |
Officers posted in Field Areas are eligible for specific Field Area allowances, which vary based on their rank and posting location.
| Field Area Allowance | Amount Payable (INR per month) |
|---|---|
| Highly Active Field Area Allowance (HAFA) | 16,900 |
| Field Area Allowance (FD Area) | 10,500 |
| Modified Field Area Allowance (Mod FD Area) | 6,300 |
Siachen Allowance: Officers posted in Siachen receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 42,500.
Other Allowances: NDA officers serving in high-altitude regions are eligible for additional allowances.
| NDA Officer Level | Allowance Amount (INR per month) |
|---|---|
| Category-I | 3,400 |
| Category-II | 5,300 |
| Category-III | 25,000 |
Officers are entitled to a Counter Insurgency Allowance based on the type of area to which they are posted.
| NDA Officer Posting Area | Allowance Amount (INR per month) |
|---|---|
| Peace Area | 10,500 |
| Field Area | 16,900 |
| Modified Field Area | 13,013 |
The Higher TPTA Cities (UA) include Patna, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Kochi, Bengaluru, Kozhikode, Indore, Nagpur, Pune, Greater Mumbai, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Ghaziabad, and Chennai. The TPTA allowance is applicable to NDA service personnel who are provided with government transport facilities.
| Level | Higher TPTA Cities | Other Places |
|---|---|---|
| 9 and Above | Rs. 7,200 + DA thereon (per month) | Rs. 3,600 + DA thereon (per month) |
| Allowance | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Children Education Allowance (CEA) | Rs. 2,250 per month per child for the two eldest surviving children, applicable from Nursery to Class 12. |
| Hostel Subsidy | Rs. 6,750 per month per child for the two eldest surviving children, applicable from Nursery to Class 12. |
| Ration in Kind | Provided monthly to all Defence officers in Field and Peace Areas. |
| Uniform Allowance | Rs. 20,000 per year. |
The UPSC will announce the 2025 compensation structure for death or disability soon. Meanwhile, here are the 2023 figures. The following monetary benefits are provided to cadets (Direct) or their Next of Kin (NoK) in the event of medical invaliding or death of a cadet caused by, or aggravated due to, military training:
| Circumstance | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Death | – Monthly ex gratia of Rs. 9,000. – Ex-gratia disability award of Rs. 16,200 per month in addition to 100% of disability during disablement, reduced pro rata if disablement is less than 100%. – No disability award if the degree of disablement is below 20%. – Constant Attendant Allowance (CAA) of Rs. 6,750 per month for 100% disabled, recommended by the Invaliding Medical Board (IBM). |
| Disablement | – Monthly ex gratia of Rs. 9,000. – Ex-gratia disability award of Rs. 16,200 per month in addition to 100% of disability during the period of disablement, reduced pro rata if disablement is less than 100%. – No disability award if the degree of disablement is below 20%. – Constant Attendant Allowance (CAA) of Rs. 6,750 per month for 100% disabled, recommended by the Invaliding Medical Board (IBM). |
The UPSC will announce the 2025 insurance policy soon. Below are the 2023 details:
Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF):
Invalidated Cadets:
Other Details:
For Lady/Gentlemen Cadets:
Aspirants can refer to the list below to understand the promotion hierarchy and career growth opportunities for NDA officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, based on their performance and years of service.
| Indian Defence Wings | Promotion | Minimum Service Required for Promotion |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Army | Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Lieutenant Colonel → Colonel (Selection) → Colonel (Time Scale) → Brigadier → Major General → Lieutenant General → General | On being commissioned / After 2, 6, 13, 26 years / On selection |
| Indian Navy | Sub Lieutenant → Lieutenant → Lt Commander → Commander → Captain (Selection) → Captain (Time Scale) → Commodore → Rear Admiral → Vice Admiral → Admiral | On being commissioned / After 2, 6, 13, 26 years / On selection |
| Indian Air Force | Flying Officer → Flight Lieutenant → Squadron Leader → Wing Commander → Group Captain (Selection) → Group Captain (Time Scale) → Air Commodore → Air Vice-Marshal → Air Marshal → Air Chief Marshal | On being commissioned / After 2, 6, 13, 26 years / On selection |
The Government covers the cost of training, including accommodation, books, uniforms, boarding, and medical treatment. However, parents or guardians are responsible for cadets’ pocket money and other personal expenses.
Suppose a cadet’s parents or guardian are unable to fully or partially meet these expenses. In that case, the Government may provide financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 per month during the training period, provided the family income is less than Rs. 21,000 per month. Families with an income above Rs. 21,000 per month are not eligible for this support.
Suppose more than one child from the same family undergoes training simultaneously at NDA, IMA, OTA, or equivalent training establishments in the Navy and Air Force. In that case, both are eligible for financial assistance.
Candidates selected for training at the Academy must deposit the required amount with the Commandant of the National Defence Academy upon arrival.
| Cost of Training | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Pocket allowance for 5 months @ Rs. 3,000/month | 15,000 |
| Items of clothing and equipment | 21,831 |
| Army Group Insurance Fund | 7,200 |
| Clothing items required at the time of joining | 8,681 |
| Incidental expenditure during 1st semester | 7,138 |
| Total | 59,850 |
In summary, the NDA Salary structure, including its various allowances and perks, reflects the Indian Government’s commitment to adequately compensating its defence personnel. Understanding the NDA salary per month, the increments after training, and the comprehensive benefits associated with different ranks provides a clear picture of the financial rewards of a career in the National Defence Academy. Whether you’re considering a career in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, the NDA salary after training and the long-term financial benefits are significant factors to consider. With its competitive pay scale and extensive allowances, the NDA Salary package stands as a testament to the value and respect accorded to those who serve the nation in its defence services.
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Ans. The salary for NDA (National Defence Academy) officers after completing training can range from INR 56,100 to INR 2,50,000 per month, depending on their rank and years of service. During the training period, cadets receive a monthly stipend of INR 56,100.
Ans. After completing the training period, NDA officers are entitled to various allowances, including dearness allowances, uniform allowances, transport allowances, and more. The maximum monthly salary for the rank of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is Rs 2,50,000.
Ans. Well, each of them is unique and respectable in its way. However, according to the experts, the comparisons can be made through specific situations. For example, if a candidate wants a better family life with responsibilities towards the nation, then IAS is the best-recommended job. On the other hand, if an applicant wants a better professional life, then opting for NDA services is the best. Thus, both contribute to the nation equally.
Ans. The Army Group Insurance Fund provides INR 15 lakhs coverage for a one-time premium of INR 6,400 for 3 years. In case of death, families receive INR 12.5 lakhs or INR 9,000 per month as ex-gratia, separate from pension benefits.
Ans. Yes, after completing the three-year training program at the National Defence Academy (NDA), cadets are commissioned as permanent officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
Authored by, Nidhi Kukreja
Exam Prep Advisor
Nidhi is a passionate writer who specializes in long-form, research-backed content that delivers real value. Whether she’s writing blog articles or creating educational modules, she focuses on making complex topics clear, detailed, and easy to understand. Her content is designed to build knowledge and credibility, helping readers gain deeper insights with every piece.
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