What is the cost of training of NDA Officers?

The cadet's cost of training includes accommodation, boarding, medical treatment books, uniforms, etc. All these costs are borne by the Government. During the training, the personal expenses are borne by family. The private expenses generally account to not more than 3000 per month. Even in cases where the parents are not able to provide the expenses of the cadets, the government provides the financial assistance of INR 1000 per month for the period of training. The financial assistance is provided to only those candidates whose parents' income is less than INR 21,000 per month. Cadets whose parent's income is more than INR 21,000 per month are not liable for financial assistance. If the cadet's brother or any cadet who is being provided help by parents and guardians and even he is simultaneously undergoing training at NDA, IMA, OTA, and corresponding training establishment in the Navy and Air Force, then both of them are eligible for financial assistance by the government. Candidates who are finally selected for training at the Academy are required to deposit the following amount. Cost of Training Amount (INR) Pocket allowance for 5 months @INR 3000.00 per month 15000 For items of clothing and equipment 21831 Army Group Insurance Fund 7200 Clothing items required at the time of joining 8681 Incidental Expenditure during 1st Semester 7138 Total 59850 Out of the total amount, the following amount is refunded to candidates in the event of financial aid being sanctioned to them. Refund Amount (INR) Pocket allowance for five months INR 2000 at INR 400.00 per month (Corresponding to Govt. Financial Assistance) 2000 For items of clothing and equipment approximately 13935

How much will the NDA salary be fixed after the successful training of the Officer Commissioned?

NDA salary to be fixed after the successful training of the Officer Commissioned is given below. NDA Salary After 7th Pay Commission NDA Posts NDA Pay Scale NDA Pay Level Stipend during training at IMA 56,100 Level 10 Lieutenant 56,100 -1,77,500 Level 10 Captain 61,300- 1,93,900 Level 10 B Major 69,400-2,07,200 Level 11 Lieutenant Colonel 1,21,200-2,12,400 Level 12A Colonel 1,30,600-2,15,900 Level 13 Brigadier 1,39,600-2,17,600 Level 13A Major General 1,44,200-2,18,200 Level 14 LT General HAG Scale 1,82,200-2,24,100 Level 15 HAG + Scale 2,05,400-2,24,400 Level 16 VCOAS/Army CDr/Lt Gen (NFSG) 2,25,000 (fixed) Level 17 COAS 2,50,000 (fixed) Level 18

What is the insurance policy given to the selected cadets in NDA?

Army group insurance fund cover is INR 15 Lakh. An ex-gratia amount of INR 12.5 Lacs or INR 9,000 per month is paid to the NoK.

What is grade pay of NDA Officers?

NDA grade pay depend on the post to which they are selected. NDA salary is based on the 10th pay scale as per 7th pay commission. NDA grade pay for different posts is given below. NDA Rank NDA Grade Pay (in INR) Captain 6,100 Major 6,600 Lieutenant 5,400 Lieutenant Colonel 8,000 Brigadier 8,900 Colonel 8,700 Major General 10,000

What is the transport allowance offered to NDA officers?

The transport allowance offered to NDA Officers is given below. Pay Level Higher TPTA Cities (Rs. Per month) Other Places (Rs. Per month) Officers INR 7200+DA thereon INR 3600+DA thereon

What are the monetary benefits given to NDA Officers in case of mishap?

The monetary benefits given to NDA Officers in case of mishap are given below: In case of disability Monthly Ex-gratia amount of INR 9,000 per month. Ex-gratia disability award of INR 16,200 per month Constant Attendant Allowance (CCA of INR 6, 750 per month for 100 per cent disable on the recommendation of Invaliding Medical Board (IBM). In case of death Ex-gratia amount of INR 12.5 Lacs to the NoK. The Ex-gratia amount of INR 9,000 per month to the NoK. The Ex-gratia awards to Cadets (Direct)/NoK, will be sanctioned purely on ex-gratia basis and the same should not be treated as pension for any purpose.

What is the per month salary for NDA Officers?

NDA salary per month is INR 56,100 during the training period. After joining NDA, candidates get the starting salary. Over the time, the NDA salary increases based on the experience and performance. NDA salary per month for Lieutenant is between INR 56,100-1,77,500. The highest NDA salary for Officer is INR 2,50,000 per month for the Chief of Army Staff. The month-wise NDA salary is given below: Captain: INR 61,300-1,93,900 Major: INR 6,94,00-2,07,200 Lieutenant Colonel: INR 1,21,200-2,12,400

What is NDA Salary for Lt. to Major?

NDA salary for Lt. Level 10 is INR 56, 100 to 1,77,500. The salary for Capt. level 10 B is INR 61,300-1,93,900. NDA Salary for Major Level 11 is INR 69,400-2,07,200.

What is NDA Salary from Lt.Col to Major?

NDA salary from Lt. Col level 12A is between INR 1,21,200 to 2,12,400. The same for Col. level 13 is INR 1,39,600-2,17,600. It is INR 1,44,200-2,18,200 for Maj General Level 14.

Which are the ranks available under NDA Army?

Candidates after clearing NDA and commissioning get the position of Lieutenant. The posts offered to candidates are given below. Lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant Colonel Colonel (Selection) Colonel (Time Scale) Brigadier Major General Lieutenant General General

What are the NDA posts offered for Navy?

Candidates after joining Navy gets the position of Sub Lieutenant. With promotions, candidates reach to the level of Admiral. The posts offered to candidates in Navy are given below. Sub Lieutenant Lieutenant Lt Commander Commander Captain (Selection) Captain (Time Scale) Commodore Rear Admiral Vice Admiral Admiral

What are the ranks given to the candidates on successful commissioning?

On successful commissioning in Army, candidates are given the rank of Lieutenant. In Navy, candidates are given the rank of Sub Lieutenant. In Air Force, candidates are given the rank of Flying Officer. The starting NDA salary of an Officer is INR 56,100. This is the stipend offered to the candidates during the training period and the minimum salary that a Lieutenant gets. It keeps on increasing as per the level of the post.

Who earns more- NDA officer or IAS officer?

The NDA Cadets receive a fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month. An IAS Officer earn between INR 56,100 and INR 2,50,000.

Are there any allowances along with the NDA salary?

There are multiple allowances offered to the Officers along with NDA salary such as Uniform Allowance, Dearness and Transport Allowance, Para Reserve Allowance, Technical Allowance, Children Education Allowance, Hostel Subsidy, High Altitude Allowance, etc. The Army Aviators (Pilots) in Lt and above in Level 10 and above serving in the Army Aviation Corps are entitled to flying allowance of INR 25,000 (R1H1 of Risk and Hardship Matrix).. .

What is the field area allowances offered to NDA Officers?

Based upon rank and area of posting, the officer will be posted to field areas and will receive the following field area allowances, as shared below: Level Highly Active Field Area Allowance Field Area Allowance Modified Field Area Allowance Officers INR 16,900 pm INR 10,500 pm INR 6,300 pm

NDA Salary 2026: Basic Pay, Allowances & Perks After 7th Pay Commission

NDA 2 2026 application

20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

Updated on Mar 24, 2026 16:32 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

Overview

NDA Salary: Joining the armed forces has always been a dream come true for the majority of youths. After the 7th Pay Commission, NDA salary has witnessed many changes. Candidates joining Indian Army, Navy and Air Force through National Defence Academy & Naval Academy exam are offered attractive payscale and allowances. The salary structure of the NDA consists of several details including basic pay, grade pay, allowances, deductions, gross salary, net salary, etc. The NDA cadets offered good salary from the beginning of training and receive a monthly stipend of INR 56,100 for cadets for NDA exam. After the successful training, the NDA salary of the Officer Commissioned will be fixed in the first Cell of Level 10.

NDA 1 2026 notification was released on December 1. Candidates who have applied for the same must check NDA 2026 salary. In this article, we have discussed in detail NDA salary, allowances, perks and other benefits given to the cadets.

Table of contents

NDA Salary
What is NDA Rank-Wise Salary?
NDA Salary: Allowances & Perks
What is the Career Growth in NDA?
What is Training Period at NDA?
NDA Salary FAQs

NDA Salary

Aspirants who wish to join the Army, Navy or Air Force must be curious about knowing NDA salary, allowances, perks, and many more. The table below highlights NDA salary for different ranks and levels.

Overview of NDA Salary

The overview of NDA salary is given below.

Parameters	Details
Name of the Exam	National Defence Academy Exam
Exam Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Purpose for NDA exam	To select eligible candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course
Mode	Offline
Number of Times	Twice a Year
Selection Stages	Written Test and SSB Interview
Educational Eligibility	Class 12 pass
NDA Starting Salary	INR 56,100 per month

NDA Stipend During Training Period

Stipend for cadet training of Army Officers and equivalent ranks in Air Force and Navy is given below.

Training Stipend-NDA	Stipend Amount (In INR)
Stipend to Gentlemen Cadets during the entire duration of training in Service Academies i.e. during the training period at IMA.	56,100 per month (Starting pay in Level 10)

The period of training will not be treated as commissioned service and arrears on account of admissible allowances (as applicable) for the training period will be paid to cadets. Those candidates who will be selected will undergo for the training period of three years for three services including Army, Navy and Air Force at the National Defence Academy. The officers of the NDA will receive the salary benefits during the training period. The salary structure is mentioned here. Also, apart from the salary of NDA, the officers will be paid Military Service Pay (MSP) to the officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier of INR 15,500 per month which is fixed.

Also Read:

NDA answer key

NDA admit card

What is NDA Rank-Wise Salary?

The rank-wise salaries of cadets serving in the Indian Defence Forces are given below:

Ranks	NDA salary (In INR)
Lt to Maj	Lt: Level 10 (56,100-1,77,500) Capt: Level10 B (61,300-1,93,900) Maj: Level 11 (69,400-2,07,200)
Lt Col to Maj Gen	Lt Col: Level 12A (1,21,200-2,12,400) Col: Level 13 (1,30,600-2,15,900) Brig: Level 13A (1,39,600-2,17,600) Maj Gen - Level 14 (1,44,200-2,18,200)
Lt Gen to HAG Scale	Level 15 (1, 82, 200-2,24,100)
HAG+Scale	Level 16 (2,05,400-2,24,400)
VCOAS/ArmyCdr/Lt Gen (NFSG)	Level 17 (2,25,000) (fixed)
COAS	Level 18 (2,50,000) (fixed)

Military Service Pay given to the officer is given below:

Military Service Pay(MSP) to the officers from the rank of Lt to Brig

INR 15,500 pm (fixed)

Also Read:

NDA Selection Process

NDA Vacancies

NDA Salary: Allowances & Perks

Along with NDA salary, candidates are also entitled to various allowances and benefits. Allowances offered to candidates are given below:

Uniform Allowance
As per the post-Compensatory Field Area Allowance
As per the post, Compensatory Modified Field Area Allowance
Dearness and Transport Allowance (DA/TA)
Para Allowance
Para jump instructor Allowance
Para Reserve Allowance
Technical Allowance Tier 1
Technical Allowance Tier 2
Special Forces Allowance
Children's Education Allowance
Hostel Subsidy

Candidates can check the amount and details of perks and allowances included in NDA salary below:

Type	Details
Dearness Allowance	Admissible at the same rates and under the same conditions as applied to the civilian personnel from time to time
Para Allowance	INR 10,500 per month
Para Jump Instructor Allowance	INR 10,500 per month
Project Allowance	INR 3,400 per month
Special Forces Allowance	INR 25,000 per month
Technical Allowance (Tier-I)	INR 3,000 per month
Technical Allowance (Tier-II)	INR 4,500 per month
Kit maintenance Allowance	Subsumed into the newly proposed Dress Allowance of INR 20,000 per year

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

Rank	Level	HAFA	Fd Area Allce	Mod Fd Area Allce
Lt & above	Level 10 and above	16, 900 (R1H2)	10, 500 (R2H2)	6,300 (60% of R2H2)

High Altitude Allowance

Rank	Level	CAT I (PM)	CAT II (PM)	CAT III (PM)
Lt & above	Level 10 and above	3,400 (R3H2)	5,300 (R3H1)	25,000 (R1H1)

Siachen Allowance: INR 42,500 per month

Free Rations

Continue in Fd Area to all Defence Officers
Defence officers posted in peace area to get Ration Money Allce (RMA) every month

Transport Allce (TPTA):

Pay Level	Higher TPTA Cities (Rs per month)	Other Places (INR Per month)
9 and above	INR 7, 200 + DA thereon	INR 3,600 + DA thereon

Flying Allowances:

The Army Aviators (Pilots) in Lt and above for Level 10 and above serving in the Army Aviation Corps are entitled to flying allowance of INR 25,000 (R1H1 of Risk and Hardship Matrix).

Important Points

Higher Tpt Cities (UA) are Hyderabad, Patna, Delhi, Ahmadabad, Surat, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kozhikode, Indore, Greater Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Jaipur, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Kolkata.
The allowance will not be admissible to those service personnel who have been provided with the facility of Government transport.
Officers in Pay Level 14 and above, who are entitled to use official car, will have the option to avail official car facility or to draw the TPTA at the rate of INR 15,750+DA thereon.
The allowance will not be admissible for the calendar months wholly covered by leave.
Physically disabled service personnel will continue to be paid at double rate, subject to a minimum of INR 2,250 + DA

Children Education Allowance: INR 2, 250 per month will be given for per child for two eldest surviving only. This allowance is admissible from Nursery to Class 12. In the case of allowances specific to Defence Forces, the rates of these allowances will be enhanced by 25 per cent automatically each time. The Dearness Allowance payable on the revised pay band goes up by 50 per cent.
Also Read:

NDA Pattern	NDA Syllabus
NDA Notification	NDA Recruitment

NDA Salary: Retirement Benefits

Pension, gratuity and casualty pensionary award will be given in accordance with the rules in force from time to time.

NDA Leave Policy

Leave will be admissible in accordance with the rules in force from time to time

What is the Career Growth in NDA?

Candidates can check below the promotions given to Army, Navy and Air Force based on their performance and years of service.

Army	Navy	Air Force	Selection criteria
Lieutenant	Sub Lieutenant	Flying Officer	On being Commissioned
Captain	Lieutenant	Flight Lieutenant	After 2 years of service
Major	Lt Commander	Squadron Leader	After 6 years of service
Lieutenant Colonel	Commander	Wing Commander	13 years of service
Colonel(Selection)	Captain (Selection)	Group Captain (Selection)	On Selection
Colonel (Time Scale)	Captain (Time Scale)	Group Captain (Time Scale)	26 years of service
Brigadier	Commodore	Air Commodore	On Selection
Major General	Rear Admiral	Air Vice Marshal	On Selection
Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral	Air Marshal	On Selection
General	Admiral	Air Chief Marshal	On Selection

What is Training Period at NDA?

Candidates selected through NDA exam take admission in National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Courses. After completing their course and training, candidates undergo further advance training at Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy and Naval Academy. The details related to the training are shared below:

Army Cadets

After the Army Cadets pass out from NDA, they go to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Naval Cadets to Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala and Air Force cadets and Ground Duty-Non Tech streams to Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, and Air Force cadets of Ground Duty–Tech stream to Air Force Technical College, Bengaluru
At the IMA Army Cadets are known as Gentlemen Cadets and are given arduous military training which is for one year and it is aimed at turning them into officers capable of leading infantry Subunits. After the Cadets have successfully completed the training as Gentlemen Cadets they are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lt subject to being medically fit in "SHAPE" one

Also Read:

NDA Preparation Tips	NDA Books
NDA Pattern	NDA Syllabus

Naval Cadets

On passing out from the NDA, Naval cadets are selected for the Executive Branch of the Navy, and are also given further training at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala for one year and, on successful completion of the training, they are promoted to the rank of Sub Lieutenants
Candidates who are selected for the Naval Academy under (Class 12 Cadet Entry Scheme) are inducted as Cadets for four year B Tech course in Applied Electronics & Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (for Engineering Branch including Naval Architect specialization) or Electronics & Communication Engineering (for Electrical Branch) as per Naval requirements. After the candidates complete the course they are awarded B Tech Degree by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

Air Force Cadets

Air Force Cadets receive flying training for a period of 1½ years. However, at the end of one year of successful training, they are given provisional commission in the rank of Flying Officer. After the Air Force Cadets successfully complete further training of six months they are absorbed as permanent commissioned officers on probation for a period of one year
Air Force Ground Duties Branch Cadets receive streamwise specialist training for one year. After the successful completion of training, they are given a provisional commission in the rank of Flying Officer. They are further absorbed as permanent commissioned officers on probation of one year

Read More:

AFCAT Salary

CDS Salary

NDA Salary FAQs

Candidates can check below NDA salary FAQs. By going through the FAQs candidates can know about the increment, perks, allowances, benefits, rank-wise salaries, etc.

Q: What is the current NDA salary during the entire duration of training in Service academies?

NDA salary during the entire duration of training is INR 56,100. Candidates starting salary during the training period and in the initial phase of their job. Over time, the post and salary of NDA officers keep increasing based on their performance and experience. The NDA salary per month for the Lieutenant post ranges from INR 56,100 to 1,77,500, while the highest salary for NDA Officer is INR 2,50,000 per month for the Chief of Army Staff.

Q: What is the insurance policy of NDA officers?

The insurance policy given to NDA officers is given below:

Army Group Insurance Fund is a compulsory contributory group scheme, which provides insurance cover for INR 15 Lacs on payment of one time non-refundable premium of INR 6,400 for 3 years paid from the date of joining NDA till completion of training
In case of relegation, an additional premium of INR 1,160 per relegated term will be paid immediately on occurrence
For those who are invalided out from NDA by IMB on account of disability and not entitled to any pension will be provided INR 7.5 Lacs for 100 per cent disability
This will be reduced to INR 1.5 Lacs for 20 per cent disability
For less than 20 per cent disability, only an Ex-Gratia Grant of INR 50,000 for initial year of training and INR 1 Lacs during the last year of training will be paid.
At IMA, at the time of stipend, the Gentlemen cadets are provided insurance cover of INR 75 Lacs with a monthly contribution of INR 5,000 (with effect from October 1, 2016 as per maint AGI scheme as application to regular officers).
Those who are invalidated out from IMA by IMB on account of disability and not entitled to any pension will be provided INR 25 Lakhs for 100 per cent disability.
This will be reduced to INR 5 Lacs for 20 per cent disability.
For less than 20 per cent disability, only an Ex-Gratia amount of INR 50,000 for initial year of training and INR 1 Lacs during the last year of training will be paid.

Q: What is pre-commissioning stipend for NDA Gentlemen Cadets?

The Lady/Gentlemen Cadets during pre commission trg when in receipt of stipend are insured for INR One Cr as applicable to officers of the regular Army. Monthly AGIF subscription will be deducted directly by PCDA (O), Pune. For those who are invalidated out by Invalidated Medical Board (IMB) on account of disability and not entitled to any pension will be provided INR 25 Lacs for 100 percent disability. This will be proportionately reduced to INR 5 Lacs for 20 percent disability. However, for less than 20 percent disability, an ex-gratia grant of INR 50,000 only will be paid. Disability due to alcoholism, drug addiction
and due to the diseases of pre-enrolment origin will not qualify for disability benefit and ExGratia Grant. In addition, Lady/Gentleman Cadets withdrawn on disciplinary grounds, expelled as an undesirable or leaving the Academy voluntarily will not be eligible for disability benefits and Ex-Gratia.

Q: What is Army Group Insurance policy for NDA Officers?

Army Group Insurance Fund provides insurance cover of INR 15 Lacs on payment of one time non-refundable premium of INR 7,200 (subject to revision from time to time) by cadets from the date of joining for pre-commission training i.e. for 3 years.

Q: What is psychological test in NDA SSB interview?

The pyschological tests in NDA SSB interview comprises the following:

Thematic Apperception Test
Word Association Test
Situation Reaction Test
Self Description Test

Q: How can I improve my Vocabulary for NDA exam?

Candidates can improve their vocabulary for the NDA exam by reading newspapers. They should also practice the previous years papers. Reading editorials of the newspapers is also very useful. Attempt mock tests to know the important vocabulary questions.