CDS Salary 2026 - Check UPSC CDS Pay Scale, Promotions, Benefits
The UPSC released the details regarding the CDS 2026 salary in the official notification. Those who join the CDS as Lieutenants can earn a CDS 2026 salary between Rs. 56,100 and Rs. 177,500 a month. The CDS salary 2026 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 2026 salary.
This Story also Contains
- CDS Salary - Overview
- CDS Salary 2026 – Posts Wise Salaries
- CDS Salary 2026 - Pay Scale
- CDS Salary 2026 - Allowances
- CDS 2026 - Rank and Promotion
The total CDS salary 2026 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 2026. The CDS exam 2026 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 2026 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 2026 – Posts Wise Salaries
Through the CDS exam 2026 recruitment process, only eligible and qualified candidates will be recruited as officers in the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. The CDS 2026 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 2026
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 2026 - Pay Scale
The CDS salaries pay can be checked in the official CDS 2026 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 2026 salary. Also, cadets are also paid a monthly stipend of Rs 56,100 per month, during the training period in the Academy.
CDS Salary 2026 - Formula for salary calculation
The CDS officers' salary 2026 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 2026 salary calculation formula
Total Salary = Basic Pay + Grade Pay + Allowance + Other benefits
CDS Salary 2026 - 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 2026 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 2026 - Rank and Promotion
After the initial CDS 2026 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)
Q: What is the minimum age to apply for the CDS exam 2026?
A:
The minimum age to apply for the CDS 2026 exam is 19 years.
Q: What is the application fee for the CDS form?
A:
The CDS application form 2026 fee is Rs 100 for general category applicants.
Q: What is the CDS 2026 officer salary during training?
A:
During training, CDS cadets are given a stipend of Rs 56,100 per month.
Q: What is the CDS salary 2026 of a lieutenant?
A:
The salary of CDS 2026 lieutenant is between Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500 per month.
Q: What are the different stages of the CDS exam?
A:
Combined Defence Services exam has two stages - written exam and SSB interview.
Q: Is the CDS exam held online or offline?
A:
UPSC CDS written exam is held in offline mode.
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Yes you're eligible . If you're born on 1 july 2003, you're eligible for UPSC CDS 2 in 2026 for IMA . For IMA the candidate must be born between 2 july 2002 and 1 july 2007
Hello,
This is a minor mistake and it will not affect your selection.
UPSC usually opens a
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issuing authority / degree details
during that time.
So you will be able to correct it.
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Hello aspirant,
No, after tenth grade, you are not eligible to take the CDS exam. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in order to sit for the CDS exam. It is intended for people who are in their last year of graduation or who have finished their college education. You
Hey! Since your date of birth is 07 Nov 2006 and you will complete graduation in 2029, here’s how many chances you’ll get for CDS (INA, IMA, AFA) and AFCAT:
For CDS exams, the age limit is usually 19–24 years.
For AFCAT, Flying Branch requires 20–24 years and Ground Duty
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