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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
- NDA Salary 2025 As Per 7th Pay Commission - Post-wise NDA Officer Salary
- What is NDA?
- NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025
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 |
|
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 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.
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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.
Chelsie G 22 July,2025
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!!!
Yash Teotia 07 July,2025
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.
Sonakshi Kumari 04 July,2025
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 !
Prachi Kumari 08 July,2025
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 ,
Vasundhra 01 July,2025
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