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 Vishnukumar V | Updated on Jul 12, 2024 12:10 PM IST | #NDA

Candidates looking to join branches of the Indian Military, such as the Indian Army, Navy, or Indian Air Force, will benefit from knowing details about the position, such as a detailed NDA salary 2025. Candidates who successfully clear every stage of the UPSC NDA exam will be recruited and receive, on top of a prestigious career, the NDA salary.

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 4 years. After completing the 4 years of training, candidates are entitled to a handsome salary which ranges from Rs. 56,100- Rs. 1,77,500/- at the start and grows along with promotions. In this article, we will share all the information related to the NDA salary 2025, the scope of growth, NDA posts, etc.

Other NDA-related articles that candidates may find helpful:

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 (61,300-1,93,900)

  • Major: Level 11 (69,400-2,07,200)

Lieutenant Colonel to Major General

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

  • Col: Level 13 (1,30,600-2,15,900)

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

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

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/-

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 be to 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 Air force.

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 can be checked in the official notification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do NDA students get paid?

Yes, during their training time they are paid Rs. 15600 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 NDA better than IIT?

There is no comparison between NDA and IIT. They both have different career options, growth opportunities and field of work. However, qualifying both the exams requires a lot of effort, labour and abilities.

5. Is NCERT enough for NDA?

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

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Questions related to NDA

Have a question related to NDA ?

Hello aspirant,

Candidates should be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old. Candidates for NDA I must have been born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009. The candidate must have been born between January 2, 2007, and January 1, 2010, in order to be eligible for NDA II.

So, yes you are eligible for NDA exam in 2025.

Thank you

Hello aspirant,

To get admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2026, you must be at least the age that the UPSC has specified. Usually, applicants must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 at the time of application.

So if you fulfill this eligibility criteria, you are eligible for NDA 2026.

Thank you

First thing about the NDA 1 is that if you were born on February 13, 2008, you are eligible to take the NDA 1 exam and the whole NDA process is of 1 year so when you go for your ssb u need ur 12th passing certificate so if you get your result on time you are eligible for the post if selected. And can fill the form.

Second case is You can fill the form of NDA 1 Even if you don't get result which is just like dummy exam you can give the exam but you are not eligible for the post but the thing is you get experience from the exam for next attempt.

Good luck..

Hello,

No, joining the Indian Navy's logistics branch directly through the National Defence Academy (NDA) route is not possible. Here’s why:

  • NDA Role Limitations : The NDA primarily trains cadets for combat roles in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • Logistics Cadre Recruitment : The logistics branch of the Navy requires specialized skills, typically recruited through direct entries like the Indian Navy's Logistics Cadre recruitment for graduates.
  • Alternative Pathways : To join Navy Logistics, consider entry through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) after graduation or direct recruitment based on professional qualifications (e.g., MBA, BCom).

Here is a detailed guideline of how you can become an Indian Navy officer : https://www.careers360.com/careers/indian-navy-officer

Hope it helps !

Hello aspirant,

You will be eligible to take the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam beginning in 2024 because you were born in June 2006. Generally speaking, applicants are allowed to take the NDA exam as many times as necessary until they meet the age restriction of 19½.

Thank you

Hope it helps you

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