CDS Salary 2025: Check Structure, Pay Scale, Allowances & Benefits

It is already mentioned that the stipend given to the gentlemen or lady cadets during the training in the respective academies is INR 56,100 per month. The training period is not considered a commissioned service. On successful commissioning, the officer will be in the pay matrix of level 10 under 7th CPC and will be liable to get all the arears remaining based on their pay matrix with effect from their training period. The table below provides CDS salaries based on different ranks.

The Military Service Pay (MSP) to the officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier is a fixed amount of INR 15,500 per month.

Related Links:

• CDS Selection Process
• CDS Exam Pattern
• CDS Syllabus

Officers in Army, Navy and Air Force are given handsome CDS salary after selection. Apart from the CDS salary, candidates are also entitled to various allowances and perks such as Dearness Allowance, Flying Allowance, Uniform Allowance, High Altitude. All these allowances offered to the officers are mentioned below:

Qualification Grant

This is abolished as a separate allowance. Eligible employees will be governed by the newly proposed higher qualification incentive. The order is awaited by MoD.

Also Read: Best Tips to Crack CDS Exam for Women

Flying Allowance

The Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps are entitled to flying allowance. The lieutenant and above rank in level 10 and above will be INR 25,000 per month (R1H1 of Risk and Hardship Matrix).

Other Allowances

 Depending upon rank and area of posting, an officer posted to Field Areas will be eligible for the following Field Area allces.

High Altitude Allowance

Siachen Allowance

Siachen's Allowance will be INR 42,500 per month.

Uniform Allowance

It is subsumed into the newly proposed Dress Allowance which is INR 20,000 per year.

Free Rations

• In Fd Area to all Defence Officers
• Defence officers posted in peace areas to get Ration Money Alice (RMA) every month

Transport Allce (TPTA)

Children Education Allowance

Candidates will be given INR 2,250 per month for the two eldest surviving only. The Children's Education Allowance is admissible from Nursery to Class 12.

The candidates wondering about the difference between NDA salary and CDS salary must go through the enlisted points to know the differences between them:

• NDA candidates get a fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month during the training period. On the other hand, CDS commissioned officers are paid INR 56,100 to 2,25,000 depending upon their ranks
• CDS candidates get slightly higher salaries than the NDA candidates as CDS candidates are recruited after graduation whereas the NDA candidates are recruited after 10+2

The career growth of candidates under respective academies is given below:

IMA

INA

Selected candidates may be appointed as cadets on reporting at the Indian Naval Academy. The cadets shall be commissioned in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant after the successful completion of approximately 18 months of training.

AFA

After successful completion of training, candidates will be given the rank of Flying Officer. Candidates are promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander and Group Captain on completion of 2 years, 6 years, 13 years and 26 years of successful service respectively. Grant of Group Captain (select) and higher ranks is only by selections. Promising officers have a fair chance of getting higher promotions to air ranks of Air Commodore, Air Vice Marshal and Air Marshal.

OTA

Selected candidates will be enrolled as gentlemen/Lady Cadets and will undergo a course of training at the OTA for an approximate period of 49 weeks. On successful completion of training Gentleman/Lady Cadets are granted Short Service Commission in the rank of Lt. Candidates will be eligible for promotion in the following ranks:

Other Defence Exam Salaries

Refer CDS 2025 Salary FAQs Here