Download Careers360 App
UPSC NDA Salary & Career Growth 2025 - Army/Navy/Air Force Salary Structure & Rank

UPSC NDA Salary & Career Growth 2025 - Army/Navy/Air Force Salary Structure & Rank

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on May 01, 2025 11:55 AM IST | #NDA
Upcoming Event
NDA  Exam Date : 14 Sep' 2025 - 14 Sep' 2025

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 2025. 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 2025 salary.

This Story also Contains
  1. NDA Salary 2025 As Per 7th Pay Commission - Post-wise NDA Officer Salary
  2. What is NDA?
  3. NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025
UPSC NDA Salary & Career Growth 2025 - Army/Navy/Air Force Salary Structure & Rank
UPSC NDA Salary & Career Growth 2025 - Army/Navy/Air Force Salary Structure & Rank

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 2025, candidates will be receiving an NDA stipend. The 7th Pay Commission prescribed some changes to the NDA & NA Salary.

After clearing the NDA 2025, 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 2025, the scope of growth, NDA posts, etc.

NDA Salary 2025 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

  • Lt: Level 10 (Rs. 56,100- Rs. 1,77,500)

  • Captain: Level 10 B (Rs. 61,300- Rs. 1,93,900)

  • Major: Level 11 (Rs. 69,400 - Rs. 2,07,200)

Lieutenant Colonel to Major General

  • Lt Col: Level 12A (Rs. 1,21,200 - Rs. 2,12,400)

  • Col: Level 13 (Rs. 1,30,600- Rs. 2,15,900)

  • Brig: Level 13A (Rs. 1,39,600 - Rs. 2,17,600)

  • Major General - Level 14 (Rs. 1,44,200 - Rs. 2,18,200)

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 2025 (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 2025, 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 2025

The NDA 2025 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 2025 can be checked in the official notification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do NDA students get paid?

Yes, during their training period, they will be paid Rs. 56,100 as a stipend.

2. What are the monthly fees of NDA?

There is no monthly fee for NDA, the cost is borne by the Commission itself.

3. Is NDA a good career option?

Yes, it is a great career option if you qualify it. It is one of the most competitive exams in India.

4. Is NCERT enough for NDA?

Yes, NCERT are the best study materials for any government exam, be it UPSC IAS or NDA etc.

5. What is the NDA salary 2025?

The NDA 2 salary 2025 during the training is Rs 56,100.

Articles

Certifications By Top Providers

Online Course of Indian Constitution
Via NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
Access to Justice
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Criminal Justice Administration
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Human Rights
Via National Law School of India University, Bangalore
BA
Via Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta
Swayam
 220 courses
Edx
 201 courses
LawSikho
 127 courses
NPTEL
 92 courses
Futurelearn
 89 courses
Coursera
 76 courses

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
University College London, London
 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YL
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
 University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
 The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to NDA

Have a question related to NDA ?

If your date of birth is 24 December 2007, then you will not be eligible for NDA 1 in 2027. The age limit for NDA 1 is usually between 16 and a half to 19 and a half years as of July 1 of the exam year. You will be slightly above the age limit by then. So, you won’t be able to apply for NDA 1 in 2027.

Hello Gautam

A diploma holder is eligible and ineligible for the following:

1. NDA: No, a diploma holder is not eligible for NDA as they require the candidates to be passed or appearing in Class 12th.

2. JEE Main s: Similarly, a diploma holder is not eligible for JEE Mains as it is only for 12th passed/appearing students with PCM.

3. JEE Advance: Yes, a diploma holder is eligible for JEE Advance  and can aim for IITs.

Regarding your second doubt:
No, a diploma holder is not eligible to take admission in NITs on the basis of JEE MAIN marks . A diploma holder can only aim for IITs and that too on the basis of JEE Advance.

Thank you!!!

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, you can appear for the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam in September 2026 to join the Indian Army, even if you are a Class 12 student with a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) stream. The Indian Army wing of NDA does not require Mathematics or Physics as mandatory subjects in Class 12, unlike the Navy and Air Force wings, which are only open to candidates with a PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) background. As long as you are an Indian citizen, unmarried, and your age falls between 16.5 and 19.5 years as on the date specified in the 2026 notification (likely born between January 2, 2008, and July 1, 2011), you are eligible. You will still be required to attempt both papers in the NDA written exam—Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT)—but selection into the Army wing mainly considers your overall merit. So, with the right preparation, especially for GAT and basic math, you can definitely aim for a career in the Indian Army through NDA.

All the best for your journey.

Hello,

Yes, you can give the NDA exam in September 2026 to join the Indian Army, even if you are from the PCB stream.

For the Army wing, candidates from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) are eligible if they have passed or are appearing in Class 12.

Maths is not compulsory for the Army wing. However, you will still have to attempt the Maths paper in the exam.

Also, make sure your date of birth falls between 2nd January 2008 and 1st July 2011 to be eligible for NDA 2 (September 2026).

Hope it helps !

Dear Candidate ,
- For NDA 1 2026 , you are eligible since your birth date ( 24th Dec 2007 ) lies between 2 Jul 2007 and 1 Jul 2010 .
- For NDA 2 2026 , you are not eligible because the cutoff begins on 2 Jan 2008 .
Because UPSC requires candidates to be at least 16.5 and at most 19.5 years old on exam date ,

View All
Back to top