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CDS Salary 2025, Pay Scale, Allowances, Job Profile & Promotion

CDS Salary 2025 is Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 plus allowances. Candidates get a monthly stipend of Rs. 56,100 during the training phase after qualifying CDS.
authorImageNigam Sharma27 May, 2025
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CDS Salary 2025

CDS Salary 2025: The Union Public Service Commission releases the UPSC CDS Salary 2025 details in the official notification PDF. As per the CDS Salary Structure, the selected candidates will join as Lieutenant on the pay scale of Rs 56,100 -1,77,500 per month after training. The CDS In-Hand Salary depends on the rank of the candidates. As the rank increases, there is an increase in the pay scale, pay level, and overall salary structure. Apart from the UPSC CDS 2025 Salary, every selected candidate will be entitled to numerous allowances.

CDS Salary 2025

Before proceeding, let's briefly discuss UPSC CDS. The UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) for admission to the courses (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA). The CDS Selection Process has three stages: written examination, SSB interview, and medical exam. Along with the salary, the candidates must know about the UPSC Job Profile to better understand the CDS Exam. This will help them understand the tasks to be performed after joining. Hence, we have shared the UPSC CDS Salary Structure 2025 details, including the Pay Scale, Job Profile, and Career Growth, in this article.

CDS Salary 2025 Overview

Candidates clear the CDS Exam, SSB Interview and then medicals to become commissioned officers. Only after completing all these stages, they become entitled to receive the CDS Salary. Check out the table shared below to know about the UPSC CDS 2025 Exam in a better manner.
Conducting Body Union Public Service Commission
Exam Name Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)
Frequency Twice a year
CDS Salary Rs 56,100 - Rs 1,77,500
CDS Salary Calculation Basic Pay plus Grade Pay plus Allowances & Benefits
Selection Stages Written examination, SSB interview and Medical Exam.
Official Website Link www.upsc.gov.in

UPSC CDS Salary Structure 2025

Firstly, the candidates who can clear the CDS Selection Process will only be declared qualified for the post of officer in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Refer to the table below for the rank-wise Salary Structure of CDS Officers.
Rank UPSC CDS Salary (In Rupees) Level
Lieutenant 56,100 -1,77,500 Level 10
Captain 61,300- 1,93,900 Level 10 B
Major 69,400 – 2,07,200 Level 11
Lieutenant Colonel 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 Level 12A
Colonel 1,30,600-2,15,900 Level 13
Brigadier 1,39,600-2,17,600 Level 13A
Major General 1,44,200-2,18,200 Level 14
Lieutenant General HAG Scale 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 Level 15
HAG+Scale 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 Level 16
VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) 2,25,000/-(fixed) Level 17
COAS 2,50,000/-(fixed) Level 18

Note:

  • The Military Service Pay(MSP) for officers from the Lieutenant to Brigadier rank will be a fixed stipend of Rs 15.500 p.m.
  • The stipend to Gentlemen or Women Cadets during the complete training in Service academies will be Rs 56,100/-p.m. (Level 10).

Comparison of CDS Training Period Salary and CDS General Salary

The CDS Training Period salary is a fixed stipend provided during training, while the CDS General Salary is received after training, based on the officer's rank and level. The General Salary includes allowances and other benefits and can vary depending on the specific duties and responsibilities related to the CDS post. Additionally, commission service begins after the training period.
Salary Component CDS Training Period Salary CDS General Salary
Basic Pay Fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/ month Rs. INR 56,100 - INR 1,77,500 per month
Pay Level Level 10 Varies depending on the rank and pay level of the officer
Allowances No Allowance
  • Consists of grade pay, allowances, and other benefits.
  • Cover various expenses such as housing, medical, and travel
Commission Service Not a commission service After the training period, Considered a commission Service

UPSC CDS 2025 Perks and Allowances

All selected candidates will receive various UPSC CDS allowances and benefits along with the basic salary. Check out the list of perks and allowances shared below.
  • Flying Allowance

The Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps will receive flying allowances as under:

Lieutenant and above Level 10 and above Rs 25,000/- p.m. fixed (R1H1 of Risk and Hardship Matrix)
  • Dearness Allowance will be applicable at the same rates and under the same criteria prescribed to civilian personnel from time to time.
  • House Rent Allowance (HRA): This is given to officers not provided with government accommodation to cover their rental expenses.
  • Kit Maintenance allce: Provided to the newly proposed Dress Allowance i.e Rs 20,000/-per year
  • Field Area Allowances: Based on the rank and area of posting, an officer posted to Field Areas will receive the following Field Area allies:
Rank Level HAFA Field Area Allowance Mod Field Area Allowance
Lieutenant and above Level 10 and above 16900 R1H2 10500 R2H2 6300 60% R2H2
  • High Altitude Allowance

Officers are entitled to receive High Altitude Allowance under given conditions -

Rank Level CAT-I (PM) CAT-II (PM) CAT-III (PM)
Lieutenant and above Level 10 and above 3,400 (R3H2) 5,300 (R3H1) 25,000 (R1H1)
  • Siachen Allowance: The Siachen Allowance will be Rs. 42,500/- per month.
  • Uniform Allowance: Provided to the newly proposed Dress Allowance i.e. Rs. 20,000/- per year.
  • Free Rations: The supply of free rations is a part of the military perks and is an essential component of the welfare and well-being of the officers
  • Transport Alliance (TPTA)
Pay Level Higher TPTA Cities (Rs. Per month) Other Places (Rs. Per month)
9 and above Rs. 7200+DA thereon Rs. 3600+DA thereon
  • Children's Education Allowance (Rs. 2250/- pm per child for two eldest surviving only).
  • Other Allowances - In addition to the previously mentioned allowances for officers in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) in India, several other allowances are provided to the officers. These include:
    1. Technical Pay: Offered for technical qualifications and duties in specific fields.
    2. Flying Pay: Given to officers in the Air Force for their flying duties.
    3. Special Forces Allowance: Awarded to Special Forces personnel.
    4. Uniform Allowance: Provided for the maintenance of uniforms.
    5. Special Compensatory (Hill Area) Allowance: Given to officers in hilly or difficult terrain.
    6. Detachment Allowance: Offered to personnel during detachment or separation from families.
    7. Hard Area Allowance: Given for serving in challenging areas.
    8. Island Special Duty Allowance: For those serving in the Lakshadweep group of Islands.
    9. Counter Insurgency Operations Allowance: Granted for officers involved in counter-insurgency operations.
    10. Risk and Hardship Allowance: For personnel facing risk and enduring hardships during operations.

UPSC CDS Job Profile & Career Growth 2025

To begin with, the UPSC CDS Job Profile differs for different posts. The cadets who complete their training period successfully will get the rank of Lieutenant. After that, they can participate in promotions based on their number of service years, seniority, and work performance. Check out the UPSC CDS Career Growth & Promotion Criteria shared below:
Rank Year of Service
Lieutenant On completion of training
Captain 2 years of service
Major 6 years of service
Lieutenant Colonel 13 years of service
Colonel (TS) 26 years of service
Colonel 15 years of service
Brigadier 23 years of service
Major General 25 years of service
Lieutenant General 28 years of service
General No restrictions
Hopefully, this article on UPSC CDS Salary 2025 proved to be informative for our readers. All the candidates should check the CDS Job Profile and Salary to understand the payment criteria and responsibilities. For more such informative articles, blogs, quizzes, and study material download the Physics Wallah app from the Play Store and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

CDS Salary 2025 Other Related Links
CDS Notification 2025 CDS Selection Process
CDS Eligibility CDS Admit Card
CDS Exam Date 2025 CDS Cutoff
CDS Syllabus CDS Previous Year Papers

CDS Salary 2025 FAQs

Q1. What is the starting salary of CDS?

Ans. The initial salary of an officer through CDS is Rs 56,100 per month.

Q2. Which rank is given after CDS?

Ans. The cadets will receive the rank of Lieutenant after completing the UPSC CDS Training period.

Q3. What is the selection process for UPSC CDS 2025?

Ans. The UPSC CDS Selection process comprises three stages i.e written exam, SSB Interview and Medical Test.

Q4. Is there a probation period for UPSC CDS officers?

Ans. Yes, there is a probation period for officers selected through UPSC CDS. The probation period usually lasts for two years, during which the officers undergo training and are assessed for their performance and suitability for the military service.

Q5. Are there any opportunities for promotions and higher ranks in the Indian Armed Forces through UPSC CDS?

Ans. Yes, officers selected through UPSC CDS have ample opportunities for promotions and higher ranks. Their promotions are based on their performance, experience, and vacancies available in higher ranks.

Q6. What are the perks and benefits apart from salary that UPSC CDS officers receive?

Ans. UPSC CDS officers enjoy various perks and benefits, including medical facilities for themselves and their families, accommodation, subsidized food, educational facilities for children, recreational facilities, and more.
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