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CDS Salary 2025 - Check UPSC CDS Pay Scale, Promotions, Benefits
Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on May 28, 2025 06:12 PM IST | #CDS
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CDS Exam Date : 14 Sep' 2025 - 14 Sep' 2025
The UPSC released the details regarding the CDS 2025 salary in the official notification. Those who join the CDS as Lieutenants can earn a CDS 2025 salary between Rs. 56,100 and Rs. 1,77,500 a month. The CDS salary 2025 varies according to the officer's rank. The compensation is increased with the status of the officer. Employees are entitled to extra perks and remuneration connected with the posting area in addition to the CDS 2025 salary.
This Story also Contains
- CDS Salary - Overview
- CDS Salary 2025 – Posts Wise Salaries
- CDS Salary 2025 - Pay Scale
- CDS Salary 2025 - Allowances
- CDS 2025 - Rank and Promotion
The total CDS salary 2025 consists of basic pay + grade Pay + allowance + other benefits. Candidates attempting the CDS exam can refer to the material below for more details about the CDS salary 2025. The CDS exam 2025 is conducted in two stages - the CDS written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates who clear all the stages are made to join different courses across the three Indian Defence Services (IMA, INA, AFA and OTA).
CDS Salary - Overview
Name of the exam | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS exam) |
Official website | upsc.gov.in |
Commonly known as | CDS examination |
Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission |
Frequency of exam | Twice a year |
CDS 2025 salary | Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500 per month |
CDS salary composition | Basic pay + grade Pay + allowance + other benefits |
Mode of exam | Offline |
Stages of exam | Written Exam SSB Interview (5 days) |
CDS Salary 2025 – Posts Wise Salaries
Through the CDS exam 2025 recruitment process, only eligible and qualified candidates will be recruited as officers in the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. The CDS 2025 selection process will be carried out in two stages. Check the post wise salaries of CDS officers in the table below:
CDS Post Wise Salary 2025
CDS Ranks | Levels | Pay in Rupees | Military Service Pay |
Lieutenant | Level 10 | Rs 56,100 - Rs 1,77,500 | Rs 15,500 |
Captain | Level 10 B | Rs 61,300 - Rs 1,93,900 | Rs 15,500 |
Major | Level 11 | Rs 69,400 - Rs 2,07,200 | Rs 15,500 |
Lt Colonel | Level 12 A | Rs 1,21,200 - Rs 2,12,400 | Rs 15,500 |
Colonel | Level 13 | Rs 1,30,600 - Rs 2,15,900 | Rs 15,500 |
Brigadier | Level 13 A | Rs 1,39,600 - Rs 2,17,600 | Rs 15,500 |
Major General | Level 14 | Rs 1,44,200 - Rs 2,18,200 | - |
Lieutenant General | Level 15 | Rs 1,82,200 - Rs 2,24,100 | - |
HAG+Scale | Level 16 | Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400 | - |
VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | Rs 2,25,000 (fixed) | - |
COAS | Level 18 | Rs 2,50,000 (fixed) | - |
CDS Salary 2025 - Pay Scale
The CDS salaries pay has been mentioned in the official CDS 2025 notification for all different ranks. The grade pay varies according to the ranks of the CDS officers. Indian Defence Service officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier get a fixed amount, Military Service Pay during their entire service period along with CDS 2025 salary. Also, cadets are also paid a monthly stipend of Rs 56,100 per month, during the training period in the Academy.
CDS Salary 2025 - Formula for salary calculation
The CDS officers' salary 2025 ranges from Rs 56,100 to Rs 2,50,000 per month. They are also entitled to numerous perks and benefits as per their ranks. The CDS salary calculation formula is mentioned below:
CDS 2025 salary calculation formula
Total Salary = Basic Pay + Grade Pay + Allowance + Other benefits
CDS Salary 2025 - Allowances
Candidates who are recruited as officers through the CDS exam are entitled to numerous perks and allowances. Some of these allowances are mentioned below:
Dearness Allowance - CDS salary 2025 includes a DA which is the same as that applicable to civilians
Dress Allowance - It is received annually in the amount of Rs. 25,000.
Transport Allowance - CDS officers can either use the office or their own vehicle and receive the TA allowance
Flying Allowances - Aviation Corps are entitled to a flying allowance. The FA amount is Rs 25,000 per month for Lieutenants and higher rank officers
Posting/ Location - Officers receive a Field Area, High Altitude and Siachen Allowance as per their place of posting over and above the basic CDS salary
CDS 2025 - Rank and Promotion
After the initial CDS 2025 training, the cadets are inducted to the rank of Lieutenant and slowly make their way upwards. Check the table below for rank and promotion criteria.
CDS ranks and promotions
Rank | Promotion Criteria |
Lieutenant | After the training |
Captain | 2 years service |
Major | 6 years of service |
Lieutenant Colonel | 13 years of service |
Colonel (TS) | 26 years of service |
Colonel | 15 years of service |
Brigadier | 23 years of service |
Major General | 25 years of service |
Lieutenant General | 28 years of service |
General | No restrictions |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the different stages of the CDS exam?
Combined Defence Services exam has two stages - written exam and SSB interview.
2. Is the CDS exam held online or offline?
UPSC CDS written exam is held in offline mode.
3. What is the minimum age to apply for the CDS exam 2025?
The minimum age to apply for the CDS 2025 exam is 19 years.
4. What is the application fee for the CDS form?
The CDS application form 2025 fee is Rs 100 for general category applicants.
5. What is the CDS 2025 officer salary during training?
During training, CDS cadets are given a stipend of Rs 56,100 per month.
6. What is the CDS salary 2025 of a lieutenant?
The salary of CDS 2025 lieutenant is between Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500 per month.
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Have a question related to CDS ?
Yes, you will be eligible for CDS-1 2027 under OTA (SSC Women – Non-Technical Course). The age limit for OTA is 19–25 years (you must be born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007). Since your date of birth is 4 July 2002, you will be 24 years old at that time, so you fall within the required age range.
But you will not be eligible for IMA, INA or AFA, because their upper age limit is 24 years, and by 2027 you will cross that limit.
Ankur Mehta 21 August,2025
As per the CDS OTA eligibility criteria, for female candidates applying to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), the age limit is 19 to 25 years (unmarried females only).
Since your date of birth is 16th June 2005, you will turn:
21 years old in June 2026,
25 years old in June 2030.
CDS exam is conducted twice every year, so you’ll be eligible from the year you complete graduation (2026) till you turn 25 in 2030.
Your eligible attempts:
CDS 2 2026
CDS 1 2027
CDS 2 2027
CDS 1 2028
CDS 2 2028
CDS 1 2029
CDS 2 2029
CDS 1 2030 (maybe last)
So, you will have around 7 to 8 attempts to appear for CDS OTA before you cross the maximum age limit.
Bipasha 07 August,2025
Hello ,
If your goal is to appear for CDS Exam, then here’s what you need to know:
- For IMA, INA, and AFA: A regular full-time degree from a recognized university is required. So, regular B.Tech is perfectly valid.
- For OTA : Any recognized Bachelor’s degree (even BCA) is acceptable. But since you mentioned Online BCA, note that CDS does not accept distance/online degrees unless UGC-DEB approved and equivalent to a regular course.
So, a regular B.Tech is a safer and more accepted option for all CDS branches. Online BCA may work only if it's recognized, but always double-check the latest UPSC CDS eligibility rules before applying.
Best wishes !
Thank you.
Nikita shahi 06 August,2025
Hi dear candidate,
To be eligible for CDS 1 Exam 2026, your age should fall between 20 to 24 years old. And with your date of birth of 21 December 2002, means that you will be 23 years old as of 1st January, 2026. CDS 1 exam 2026 is expected to take place in April 2026.
Considering the above:
Yes, you will be able to give exam for CDS 1 in 2026.
ALL THE BEST !
Aryan 07 July,2025
Yes, You are eligible to apply for CDS OTA 2026(April exam) Based on your date of birth
Make sure you also:
- Graduation degree from a recognised(Or are in the final year).
- Or unmarried(For OTASSC non-technical entry).
- Meet the required, medical and physical standard as per SSB/UPSE Norms .
Avanishsree VP 10 June,2025
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