UPSC NDA Salary & Career Growth 2026 - Army/Navy/Air Force Salary Structure & Rank
Ongoing Event
NDA Application Date:10 Dec' 25 - 30 Dec' 25
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. Those who successfully clear every stage of the UPSC NDA exam will be selected to train for 3 years and they are 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 1 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 ?
Hello
Yes, you are eligible as per your DOB (26,09,2006) for both exam NDA1 and NDA2 2025. Your age falls between 16.5 to 19.5 years for the NDA Exam. The NDA 1 exam form was released in December 2025, and the NDA 2 exam for released in May 2026. Those students who are born between July 2, 2007 and July 1, 2010, are eligible for the NDA Exam. For more information, you can read the article, which is based on the NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026 , from our official website, careers360.
Thank you.
Hi
No, you are not eligible for the NDA1 Exam because your age does not fall within the requirements (July 2, 2007 and July 1, 2010). So, my suggestion is that you can prepare for the NDA 1 and NDA 2 2027 exam. For the NDA 2027 exam, you are eligible as per your DOB. If you want to prepare for the NEET exam, you can consider our platform, which helps you in your preparation. For more information about the NDA exam, you can read the article NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026.
Thank you.
Hello,
Yes, you are. For both NDA 1 and NDA 2, which are going to be held in 2026.
The eligibility criteria for these are that you should be unmarried and should not exceed the determined age factor (ie, between 16.5 years to 19.5 years).
The candidate should have the maximum qualification of HSC pass or at least an appearing status to be provided. Should belong to Indian Nationality.
Hope it helps. Good luck.
Hello
Your date of birth is 11 May 2007, which is earlier than the allowed range for NDA 1 2026.
The required DOB for that exam is between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2010.
Because of this, you won’t be eligible for NDA 1 2026.
It’s only the age rule that stops you nothing else.
You can check more details by visiting the link I am attaching below:
Hii,
No, you will not be eligible for the NDA 1 2026 exam because, as you have stated that your date of birth is 19 July 2007, and you do not fit in this range. Being between the range of 16.5 to 19.5 years is not enough. Your date of birth does not come under the mandated date range.
Hope it helps!!!
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