NDA Salary 2026, Per Month, Basic Pay, Allowances, Benefits
Kanak Joshi9 Dec, 2025
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NDA Salary 2026: NDA 1 2026 notification is releasing on 10 December 2025, opening doors for young aspirants to join the defence forces. The NDA salary package offers good pay and perks right from training, starting with a monthly stipend of ₹56,100 for cadets. After commissioning as officers, basic pay begins at ₹56,100 plus allowances like Dearness Allowance, MSP of ₹15,500, and HRA, making total income around ₹90,000-₹1,00,000. Salaries grow with ranks up to ₹2,50,000 for top posts like Chief of Army Staff, along with benefits like housing and transport. This structure motivates candidates to prepare well for the exam.
NDA Salary Structure 2026
The NDA Salary Structure 2026 comprises various details, i.e. Basic pay, Grade pay, Allowances, Deductions, Gross Salary, Net Salary, etc. Here is the NDA salary structure shared below for the reference of the candidates.
| NDA Salary Structure 2026 | |
| Basic Pay | Rs 56,100-Rs 1,77,500 |
| Dearness Allowances | 17% |
| MSP | Rs 15,500 |
| House Rent Allowances | 8% to 24% of basic pay |
| Transport Allowances | Rs 3600 to Rs 7200 based on job location and rank. |
NDA Training Period Salary 2026
The selected candidates will undergo an NDA training period for three years for the three services, viz, Army, Navy, and Air Force, at the National Defence Academy. NDA officers will receive salary benefits during the NDA training period. Upon successful commissioning, the pay in the pay matrix of the Officer commissioned shall be fixed in the first Cell of Level 10, and the training period shall not be considered as commissioned service. Check the NDA fixed stipend for cadet training is shared below.
| Fixed Stipend | Stipend Amount | Pay Level |
| Stipend to male/female Cadets during the entire duration of training at IMA | Rs 56,100/-p.m | Level 10 |
NDA Salary After 7th Pay Commission
Here is the rank-wise NDA salary after the 7th pay commission, shared below for the reference of the candidates.
| NDA Salary After 7th Pay Commission | ||
| NDA Posts | NDA Pay Scale | NDA Pay Level |
| Stipend during training at IMA | Rs 56,100 | Level 10 |
| Lieutenant | Rs 56,100 -1,77,500 | Level 10 |
| Captain | Rs 61,300- 1,93,900 | Level 10 B |
| Major | Rs 69,400-2,07,200 | Level 11 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Rs 1,21,200-2,12,400 | Level 12A |
| Colonel | Rs 1,30,600-2,15,900 | Level 13 |
| Brigadier | Rs 1,39,600-2,17,600 | Level 13A |
| Major General | Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200 | Level 14 |
| LT General HAG Scale | Rs 1,82,200-2,24,100 | Level 15 |
| HAG + Scale | Rs 2,05,400-2,24,400 | Level 16 |
| VCOAS/Army CDr/Lt Gen (NFSG) | Rs 2,25,000 (fixed) | Level 17 |
| COAS | Rs 2,50,000 (fixed) | Level 18 |
NDA Salary Per Month 2026
The salary structure for NDA (National Defence Academy) officers in 2026 follows the revised pay scales as per the 7th Pay Commission. During training, cadets receive a fixed monthly stipend of ₹56,100. Upon commissioning, their salary increases significantly based on their rank and service branch (Army, Navy, or Air Force). The starting pay for a Lieutenant (or equivalent rank) ranges between ₹56,100 and ₹1,77,500 per month, excluding allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), Military Service Pay (MSP), and other benefits like uniform, transport, and housing. These allowances and perks can further increase the in-hand salary. Higher ranks, such as Captain, Major, and beyond, receive salaries as per their respective pay levels.
NDA Military Service Pay Scale
Apart from NDA salary, the officers will be paid Military Service Pay(MSP) to the officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier, are shared below.
| NDA Military Service Pay Scale | |
| Military Service Pay(MSP) to the officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier | Rs 15,500 p.m. fixed |
NDA Salary 2026 Perks and Allowances
Candidates will receive perks, allowances, and benefits as part of their salary structure in addition to the UPSC NDA salary. Check the NDA allowances and perks shared below.
| NDA Allowances | |
| Dearness Allowances | Admissible at the same rates and under the same conditions as are applicable civilian personnel from time to time |
| Para Allowance | Rs 10,500/- pm |
| Para Reserve Allowance | Rs 2,625/- pm |
| Para Jump Instructor | Rs 10,500/- pm |
| Project Allowance | Rs 3,400/- pm |
| Special Forces Allowance | Rs 25,000/- pm |
| Technical Allowance (Tier-I) | Rs 3,000/- pm |
| Technical Allowance (Tier-II) | Rs 4,500/- pm |
Flying Allowance The Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps will get a flying allowance of Rs 25,000/- p.m. Field Areas Allowances Depending upon rank and posting area, officers posted to Field Areas will receive the following Field Area allowances, which are shared below.
| Level | Highly Active Field Area Allce | Field Area Allce | Modified Field Area Allce |
| Officers | Rs 16,900/- pm | Rs 10,500/- pm | Rs 6,300/- pm |
High Altitude Allowance
| Level | Category I | Category II | Category III |
| Officers | Rs 3,400/- pm | Rs 5,300/- pm | Rs 25,000/- pm |
Counter Insurgency Allowance
| Level | Counter Insurgency Allce in Peace Area | Counter Insurgency Allce in Field Area | Counter Insurgency Allce in Modified Field Area |
| Officers | Rs 10,500/- pm | Rs 16,900/- pm | Rs 13,013/- pm |
Transport Allowance (TPTA)
| Pay Level | Higher TPTA Cities (Rs. Per month) | Other Places (Rs. Per month) |
| Officers | Rs. 7200+DA thereon | Rs. 3600+DA thereon |
NDA Other Allowances
In addition to knowing the NDA salary per month, candidates must check the list of NDA other allowances and benefits tabulated below for reference purposes.
| NDA Other Allowances | |
| Siachen Allowance | Rs 42,500/- per month |
| Uniform allowance | Rs 20,000/- per year |
| Ration in Kind | In peace and Field areas |
| Children's Education Allowance | Rs. 2250/- per month per child for two eldest surviving only. CEA is admissible from Nursery to 12th Class |
| Hostel Subsidy | Rs 6,750/- per month per child for two eldest surviving only. Hostel Subsidy is admissible from Nursery to 12th Class |
NDA Salary 2026 for Disability and Death
The NDA salary 2024 in case of disablement and death is shared below for the reference of the aspirants.
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NDA Salary 2026 |
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| In case of Disability |
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| In case of Death |
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NDA Salary 2026 Insurance Policies
The NDA Salary 2026 Insurance Policies ensure financial security and comprehensive coverage for cadets during their training period. provided policies reflect the commitment to safeguarding cadets' financial and welfare needs throughout their training journey.
- Army Group Insurance Fund offers insurance cover of Rs 15 lakh on payment of a time non-refundable premium of Rs. 7,200/- (subject to revision from time to time) by cadets from the date of joining for pre-commission training, i.e. for 3 years.
- If a cadet is relegated, an additional premium of Rs. 1,355/- (subject to revision from time to time) per relegated term will be paid.
- For those who are invalidated by IMB on account of disability and will not get any pension, Rs. 15 lakhs will be provided for 100 percent disability. This will be proportionately reduced to Rs 3 lakhs for 20 percent disability.
- The Lady/Gentlemen Cadets during pre-commission trg when receiving a stipend are insured for Rs. One Cr as applicable to officers of the regular Army.
NDA Salary 2026 Promotion and Career Growth
Candidates appointed through the NDA exam will get enormous career growth opportunities and job security in the army, navy, and air force. Check the NDA career growth and promotion avenue shared below.
| NDA Career Growth & Promotion | |||
| Army | Navy | Air Force | Minimum Reckonable Commissioned Service required for Substantive Promotion |
| Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer | On Commission |
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant | 02 Years |
| Major | Lt. Commander | Squadron Leader | 06 years |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander | 13 years |
| Colonel (Selection) | Captain (Selection) | Group Captain (Selection) | On Selection |
| Colonel (Time Scale) | Captain (Time Scale) | Group Captain (Time Scale) | 26 years |
| Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore | On Selection |
| Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal | On Selection |
| Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Vice Marshal | On Selection |
| General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal | On Selection |