CDS Salary 2025: Basic Pay Scale, Benefits, Perks & Allowances
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
CDS full form means the Combined Defence Services Exam. The range of CDS salary is from Rs 56,100 to Rs 2,50,000 per month. The starting CDS officer salary during training is Rs 56,100. Along with the CDS salary, the candidates get a lot of perks and allowances for the CDS Candidates. The high salary and the benefits motivate several candidates to join CDS and serve the nation. CDS salary 2025 is calculated as follows basic pay + grade Pay + allowance + other benefits.
Candidates who want to be in different defence sectors should clear the CDS exam 2024 (Combined Defence Services exam). The candidates undergo rigorous rounds to be selected for the different military academies.
CDS Salary 2025 Overview
Several candidates are recruited annually for different Army, Navy, and Air Force positions. They go through rigorous training and come out as fine officers serving India.
The candidates appearing for the CDS exam 2025 should understand the CDS post and salary per month in detail.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam | CDS Exam |
| Commonly Known As | CDS Examination |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Frequency of Exam | Twice a Year |
| CDS Training Period Salary | Rs. 56,100 |
| CDS General Salary | Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 per month |
| CDS Salary Composition | Basic Pay + Grade Pay + Allowance + Other Benefits |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Stages of Exam | Written Exam, SSB Interview (5 days) |
| CDS I 2025 Exam Date | April 13, 2025 |
| CDS II 2025 Exam Date | September 14, 2025 |
UPSC CDS Salary Structure 2025
The CDS officer salary in 2025 has different components. The components and salary of CDS depend upon:
- Basic salary.
- Allowances.
- Perks and additional pay.
The UPSC CDS salary 2025 is dependent on the division and rank of the officer. The salary lies between Rs 56,100 to Rs Rs 2,50,000. The factors affecting salaries are
- City of posting,
- Cost of living,
- The rank of the officer, and
- Division of the officer
The starting CDS salary officer is paid Rs 56,100 while training. Once the training is completed, the staff is commissioned permanently. They are entitled to get a salary based on level 10. They would get all the arrears during the training period based on their CDS job posts & salary.
Let’s look at the different salaries of CDS officers salary in detail.
| CDS ranks wise salary | CDS army salary per month | Level |
| CDS Lieutenant salary | Rs 56,100 – 1,77,500 | 10 |
| CDS Captain salary | Rs 61,300 – 1,93,900 | 10B |
| Major | Rs 69,400 – 2,07,200 | 11 |
| Lt Colonel | Rs 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 | 12A |
| Colonel | Rs 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 | 13 |
| Brigadier | Rs 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 | 13A |
| Major General | Rs 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 | 14 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Rs 1,82,800 – 2,24,100 | 15 |
| HAG + Scale | Rs 2,05,400 – 2,24,000 | 16 |
| VCOAS/Lieutenant General NFSG/ Army CDR | Rs 2,25,000 | 17 |
| COAS | Rs 2,50,000 | 18 |
CDS Allowances and Reimbursements
The CDS officers are entitled to different CDS allowances and reimbursements based on their ranks and posting apart from the CDS salary. Let’s look at them in detail.
| Allowances for CDS officers | Component of Salary |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | On par with civilian personnel officers. |
| Flying Allowance | Rs 25,000/ month for pilots (=> Level 10). |
| Kit maintenance allowance | Rs 20,000 annually |
| High Active Field Area allowance | Rs 16,900/month |
| Field Area allowance | Rs 10,500/month |
| Modified field area allowance | Rs 6,300/month |
| High Altitude allowance | Category I Rs 3400/month Category II Rs 5300/month Category III Rs 25,000/month |
| Uniform allowance | Rs 20,000/month |
| Transport allowance | For cities with higher TPTA – Rs 7200/month + DA For other places – Rs 3600/month + DA |
| Children Education allowance | Rs 2250/month |
| Siachen allowance | Rs 42,500/month |
| Free ration | Only allocated to officers in Peace & Field areas |
- The higher TPTA cities are:
| Kanpur | Kolkata |
| Lucknow | Coimbatore |
| Ghaziabad | Jaipur |
| Chennai | Nagpur |
| Pune | Indore |
| Kozhikode | Bengaluru |
| Surat | Delhi |
| Hyderabad | Patna |
- Among the different CDS vacancies in 2025, If a CDS officer is provided with a government vehicle, they are not entitled to transport allowance.
- The Children’s Education allowance is necessary for the CDS officer’s salary. The officer is allowed to move their two elder children from Nursery to Class 12.
CDS Training Period Salary vs CDS General Salary
| Salary Component | Training Period | General |
| Basic Pay | Fixed Stipend: 56,100 per month | Ranges from INR 56,100 to INR 1,77,500 per month |
| Pay Level | Level 10 | Depends on the rank and pay level of the officer |
| Allowances | – | Grade pay, Allowances (housing, medical, and travel), and other benefits. |
| Commission Service | Not considered as a commission service | Considered a Commission service only after the training is completed |
CDS Promotion Policy
The paths to promotion vary across the different branches of the armed forces. Take a moment to explore the promotion policies for officers enlisted in the Indian Army, Navy, OTA, and Air Force outlined below.
Indian Army: Promotion Policy
| Rank | Promotion Criteria |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant | After completing training |
| Captain | 2 years of commissioned service |
| Major | 6 years of commissioned service |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 13 years of commissioned service |
| Colonel (Time Scale) | 26 years of commissioned service |
| Colonel | 15 years of commissioned service |
| Brigadier | 23 years of commissioned service |
| Major General | 25 years of commissioned service |
| Lieutenant General | 28 years of commissioned service |
| General | No restriction |
Indian Air Force: Promotion Policy
| Rank | Promotion Criteria |
|---|---|
| Flying Officer | On Commission |
| Flight Lieutenant | 2 Years of commissioned service |
| Squadron Leader | 6 years of commissioned service |
| Wing Commander | 13 years of commissioned service |
| Group Captain | 26 years of commissioned service |
| Group Captain (Select) | Selection |
| Air Commodore | Selection |
| Air Vice Marshal | Selection |
| Air Marshal | Selection |
| Air Chief Marshal | Selection |
Officers Training Academy (OTA): Promotion Policy
Candidates of both genders who receive the Short Service Commission from the OTA have access to various promotion opportunities.
| Rank | Years of Commissioned Service |
|---|---|
| Captain | 2 years |
| Major | 6 years |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 13 years |
CDS Pecuniary Benefits
Officers chosen for CDS 2025 are entitled to financial support in the event of a tragic incident occurring during their service. This includes the following provisions:
- If an officer dies while on duty, their nearest relative (Next of Kin) will receive a one-time ex-gratia payment of Rs 12.5 lakh.
- Additionally, the Next of Kin will benefit from a monthly ex-gratia payment of Rs 9000.
- It’s important to note that the ex-gratia payment to the Cadet (Direct) or their Next of Kin is provided on an ex-gratia basis and should not be viewed as a replacement for any pension benefits.
- Furthermore, both the monthly ex-gratia and the ex-gratia awarded for disability will qualify for dearness relief at the applicable rates.
CDS Salary: Allowances and Benefits 2025
All eligible candidates will receive a base CDS salary along with various perks, allowances, and benefits associated with the position. The following outlines the perks and allowances included in the CDS salary:
- Qualification Grant: This has been eliminated as a separate allowance. Instead, eligible employees will be subject to the newly introduced Higher Qualification Incentive (HQI), with the official order from the Ministry of Defence still pending.
- Dearness Allowance: This will be provided at the same rates and under the same conditions that apply to civilian officers, updated periodically.
- Kit Maintenance Allowance: This has been integrated into the new Dress Allowance, which amounts to Rs 20,000 per year.
- Flying Allowances.
| Rank | Pay Level | Fixed Allowance | Risk and Hardship Matrix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant and above | Level 10 and above | Rs 25,000/- p.m. | R1H1 |
Allowance Overview
- eUniform Allowance: This has been integrated into the newly introduced Dress Allowance, set at Rs. 20,000/- annually.
- Free Rations: Available in both Peace and Field Areas.
- Transport Allowance (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 |
- Officers at Pay Level 14 and above, who have access to an official vehicle, may opt for either the official car or receive TPTA of Rs. 15,750 + DA monthly.
- The allowance is not applicable for any calendar month(s) fully covered by leave.
- Service personnel with physical disabilities will continue to receive a double rate, with a minimum of Rs. 2250 + DA monthly.
Children Education Allowances
- Rs. 2250/- per month for each of the two eldest surviving children, covering education from nursery through 12th grade.
- Reimbursement occurs once a year after the conclusion of the financial year.
- A certificate from the institution’s head confirming the child’s attendance in the previous academic year is required.
CDS Salary – Additional Benefits 2025
Members of the armed forces receive various extra benefits beyond their CDS salary and standard allowances. The additional perks are outlined below.
Here’s a concise overview of the advantages available to CDS officers in table format:
| Benefit Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Leave and Travel Allowance | Navy, Army, and Air Force officers are entitled to 60 days of annual leave and 20 days of casual leave each year. |
| CDS officers can also encash up to 10 days of their Annual Leave, along with a Leave Travel Concession for up to 60 days throughout their career to help with travel costs. | |
| Additional Benefits | Officers and their families enjoy perks such as complimentary medical care, a group insurance plan, subsidized housing, access to canteen services, a group housing initiative, and family support programs. |
CDS Careers & Growth
The CDS officers get timely promotions for their service as their experience increases along with their CDS officer salary. Let’s look at their CDS career growth over the years.
| CDS Ranks | Time duration |
| Lieutenant | After training |
| Captain | 2 years of commissioned service |
| Major | 6 years of commissioned service |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 13 years of commissioned service |
| Colonel | 15 years of commissioned service |
| Colonel (TS) | 26 years of commissioned service |
| Major General | 25 years of commissioned service |
| Brigadier | 23 years of commissioned service |
| Lieutenant General | 28 years of commissioned service |
| General | No restrictions |
| Lieutenant | Only after completion of the training |
- The salary increment is as per the ranks discussed in the previous sections.
- The allowances and perks are allocated as per the ranks and posts.
CDS Retirement Benefits
According to the existing regulations of UPSC Combined Defence Services, retired officers are entitled to receive pension, gratuity, and casualty pension. The benefits available to these officers include:
- Pension: A consistent pension is granted to retired officers.
- Gratuity: Officers are also entitled to the gratuity they accrued during their service.
- Casualty Pension: In the event of an accident, a casualty pension is available.
CDS Scholarships
Scholarships for the Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Parshurambhau Patwardhan Scholarship: This scholarship is specifically for cadets hailing from Maharashtra or Karnataka. It offers financial assistance of up to Rs. 500 annually throughout the cadet’s tenure at IMA, contingent upon maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
- Need-Based Scholarships: A range of need-based scholarships is available to assist cadets who require financial support. These scholarships are designed to alleviate the burden of tuition fees and other related costs, ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent deserving candidates from pursuing their dreams.
- Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are granted to those who excel academically and perform well in the Combined Defence Services examination. They typically cover tuition fees and provide stipends to help with living expenses.
The primary goal of these scholarships is to support and motivate talented individuals in their journey at the Indian Military Academy.
Conclusion
The monthly salary for officers who are chosen via the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam varies between INR 56,100 and INR 2,50,000, influenced by their rank and length of service. While in training, candidates earn a stipend of INR 56,100 each month. Beyond the basic salary, officers benefit from a range of allowances and perks, including Dearness Allowance, Flying Allowance, and High Altitude Allowance. This extensive compensation package not only makes a career in the armed forces financially attractive but also enhances its prestige.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is the CDS salary per month?
The CDS salary per month lies between Rs 56,100 to Rs 2,50,000. There are different allowances and benefits attached to the salary.
What is CDS Bipin Rawat’s salary per month in rupees?
CDS Bipin Rawat’s monthly salary in rupees was Rs 2,50,000. He was the Chief of Defence staff. He was entitled to different allowances and benefits.
What is the salary of a CDS chief?
The Chief of Defence Staff receives a salary of Rs 2,50,000 per month.
What is the salary of the Chief of Defence staff?
The salary of the CDS staff head is Rs 2,50,000 per month, along with other perks and allowances.
Who is the CDS chief after CDS General Bipin Rawat in 2022?
General Anil Chauhan was appointed the next Chief of Defence Staff on 28 September 2022. The post was filled nine months after the untimely death of former CDS Chief General Bipin Rawat.
Who is the CDS of India in 2025?
General Anil Chauhan is the current CDS of India.
Is CDS better than NDA?
CDS is perfect for graduates aiming for immediate entry into the Indian Armed Forces, offering higher initial salaries and additional allowances. In contrast, NDA caters to younger candidates aged 16.5 to 19.5 years who want to embark on their military journey straight after completing their 10+2 education. Each option presents distinct benefits based on your educational qualifications and professional aspirations.