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You had an interest in NDA, which means you have discipline and courage in you.
Even if you missed NDA, you can still join the defence later through CDS after graduation.
If you want a steady government job, SSC is a great option with strong career growth.
If you like technology and logical work, a B.Tech can open many career paths.
Take some time to understand what truly excites you: serving, studying, or solving.
You haven’t failed; you’re just finding your right direction. Your journey’s not over yet.
UPSC NDA Salary & Career Growth 2026 - Army/Navy/Air Force Salary Structure & Rank
Candidates looking to join the Indian Military like the Indian Army, Navy, or Indian Air Force, will benefit from the details about the NDA salary 2026. Candidates who successfully clear every stage of the UPSC NDA 2 exam will be selected to train for 3 years and they will be offered good NDA 2026 salary.
This Story also Contains
- NDA Salary 2026 As Per 7th Pay Commission - Post-wise NDA Officer Salary
- What is NDA?
- NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026
The NDA is a popular exam held twice yearly with the intention of recruiting candidates for these posts. Even during the cadet training that comes after the NDA 2026, candidates will be receiving an NDA stipend. The 7th Pay Commission prescribed some changes to the NDA & NA Salary.
After clearing the NDA 2026, candidates go through a training period lasting 3 years. After completing the 3 years of training, candidates are entitled to a handsome salary which ranges from Rs. 56,100- Rs. 1,77,500 at the start and increases along with promotion. In this article, we will share all the information related to the NDA salary 2026, the scope of growth, NDA posts, etc.
NDA Salary 2026 As Per 7th Pay Commission - Post-wise NDA Officer Salary
UPSC NDA Salary (In-Hand)
In the following table, candidates can check the NDA salary structure.
Rank-Wise NDA Salary Structure and Rank Pay
NDA Rank | NDA Salary |
Lieutenant to Major |
|
Lieutenant Colonel to Major General |
|
Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 (Rs. 1, 82, 200- Rs. 2,24,100) |
HAG+ Scale | Level 16 (Rs. 2,05,400 – Rs. 2,24,400) |
Vice Chief of Army Staff/Army Commander/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 (Rs. 2,25,000) (fixed) |
Chief of Army Staff | Level 18 (Rs. 2,50,000) (fixed) |
NDA Grades Pay 2026 (Rank-wise)
Rank | Grade Pay (in Rupees) |
Lieutenant | Rs. 5,400 |
Captain | Rs. 6,100 |
Major | Rs. 6,600 |
Lieutenant Colonel | Rs. 8,000 |
Colonel | Rs. 8,700 |
Brigadier | Rs. 8,900 |
Major General | Rs. 10,000 |
Other NDA-related articles that candidates may find helpful:
Apart from the UPSC NDA salary 2026, candidates are also entitled to various allowances:
DA & TA (Dearness Allowances/Transport allowance)
Highly Active Field Area Allowance (As per the post)
Uniform allowance
Compensatory Modified Field Area Allowance (As per post)
Compensatory Field Area (As per post)
Kit Maintenance Allowances
Para Allowance
Special Forces Allowance
Para Jump Instructor Allowance
Project Allowance
Para Reserve Allowance
Technical Allowance (Tier-I)
Technical Allowance (Tier-II)
Quick Links
Field Area Allowances
Highly Active Field Area Allowance – HAFA | Rs 16,900 pm |
Field Area Allowance – FD Area | Rs 10,500 pm |
Modified Field Area Allowance – Mod FD Area | Rs 6,300 pm |
High Altitude Allowances
Candidates posted in Siachen will get the Siachen Allowance amounting to Rs 42,500 per month. NDA officers who are posted to high altitude regions will benefit from the following allowances –
Category-I | Rs 3,400 Per Month |
Category-II | Rs 5,300 Per Month |
Category-III | Rs 25,000 Per Month |
Transport Allowance (TPTA)
Level 9 and Above | |
Rs. 7200 Rs + DA thereon (Per month) | |
Rs. 3600 Rs + DA thereon (Per month) |
Flying Allowances
The Pilots or Army Aviators in Army Aviation Corps are entitled to flying allowance at a rate of Rs 25,000 per month.
NDA – Other Allowances
Children Education Allowance – CEA Rs. 2250 Per Month Per Child for two eldest surviving. This allowance is admissible from Nursery to class 12th. |
Hostel Subsidy Rs. 6,750 per month per child for two eldest surviving only (admissible from Nursery to class 12th). |
Ration |
In Field Area and Peace Area to all Defense officers every month |
Also read
NDA – Promotion Opportunities and Career Growth
Minimum Service Required for Promotion | Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
On being Commissioned | Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer |
After 2 years of service | Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
After 6 years of service | Major | Lt Commander | Squadron Leader |
13 years of service | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |
On Selection | Colonel(Selection) | Captain (Selection) | Group Captain (Selection) |
26 years of service | Colonel (Time Scale) | Captain (Time Scale) | Group Captain (Time Scale) |
On Selection | 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 |
What is NDA?
NDA (National Defence Academy) is a national-level exam conducted by UPSC twice a year. Candidates qualifying for the NDA exam are selected for training at the National Defence Academy. After completing their training, they will be recruited on the post of Lieutenant in Army, Sub-Lieutenant in Navy/Flying Officer in the Indian Army.
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026
The NDA 2026 eligibility criteria for both male and female candidates between the age group 16.5-19.5 years who have completed their 10+2 can apply for NDA. More details about the UPSC NDA eligibility criteria 2026 can be checked in the official notification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do NDA students get paid?
A:
Yes, during their training period, they will be paid Rs. 56,100 as a stipend.
Q: What are the monthly fees of NDA?
A:
There is no monthly fee for NDA, the cost is borne by the Commission itself.
Q: Is NDA a good career option?
A:
Yes, it is a great career option if you qualify it. It is one of the most competitive exams in India.
Q: Is NCERT enough for NDA?
A:
Yes, NCERT are the best study materials for any government exam, be it UPSC IAS or NDA etc.
Q: What is the NDA salary 2026?
A:
The NDA 2 salary 2026 during the training is Rs 56,100.
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Questions related to NDA
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NDA ?
Hi Gaju Choudhary
Yes, you are eligible for the NDA exam because your date of birth falls in the range of January 2, 2008, to January 1, 2011. You are within the age requirement of 16 to 19 years old.
As of July 1, 2026, you will be around 18 years and 6 months old, which falls within the eligible range 1of 6 to 19 years old.
I hope this information helps you.
Thank you.
Hello,
Yes, you are eligible for the NDA1 2026 exam, as your date of birth, 09/06/2007, falls under the eligible range for the NDA1 2026 exam, which is between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010. Also, remember to meet the other criteria for the exam, such as educational qualification and age criteria.
I hope it will clear your query!!
The notification dates for both the NDA and IMU CET exams are released by their respective authorities, generally following a consistent annual schedule.
The UPSC releases the NDA notification twice a year:
-
NDA I: Notification usually releases in December/January (for the exam held in April).
-
NDA II: Notification usually releases in May (for the exam held in September).
The IMU CET (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test) is typically held once a year for the July batch.
-
Notification/Application: Releases around March/April.
-
Exam Date: The exam is usually conducted in June.
Keep monitoring the official UPSC and IMU websites for exact dates, or check this page for updates: https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/imu-cet-exam-dates
Hello Aspirant
Hello aspirant,
You can take the NDA 2026 exam, yes. Given that you were born on May 27, 2007, you are inside the UPSC's 2026 age restrictions for both NDA 1 and NDA 2. Candidates must typically be born between July 2006 and July 2009 to be eligible for NDA 1, and between January 2007 and January 2010 to be eligible for NDA 2. You are therefore qualified to apply for the NDA exam in 2026 because your age precisely matches the necessary requirements.
Thank you
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