NDA Salary 2025: Basic Pay, Allowances & Perks

Candidates qualifying for the NDA exam are entitled to an NDA salary and a career that is prestigious in all terms. The Union Public Service Commission is responsible for conducting the National Defence Academy exam to select students for admission into the Army, Air Force, and Navy. However, the perks, allowances, and other benefits are not the primary motivating factors to join the Indian Defence Services. But it is good to know that our Indian Government takes care of their professional development and offers reasonable compensation through the NDA exam process.

NDA salary details reveal that trainees receive a monthly stipend of INR 56,100 for the first three years at Level 10 of the pay matrix. After completing their training, the initial salary remains INR 56,100, with potential growth up to INR 2,50,000 based on rank and tenure. This total includes allowances such as DA, MSP, Grade Pay, HRA, and Transport Allowance.

NDA Salary 2025

Candidates willing to join the Army or Indian Air Force must be curious to know the NDA starting salary. It includes a detailed pay scale, perks, allowances, and monthly NDA salary (in-hand). Thus, the major highlights of the NDA salary are from trainees to different levels. Candidates are selected through the NDA exam and initially paid with a stipend of INR 56100 per month (at the pay matrix of level 10). The pay scale is during the three years of the training period.

However, the training session is not treated as commissioned service and arrears because of admissible allowances for the training.

NDA Stipend During Training Period

The stipend for cadet training of Army officers and equivalent levels in the Air Force and Navy is listed below.

Training Stipend-NDA	Stipend Amount (In INR)
Stipend to Gentlemen Cadets during the entire duration of training in Service Academies i.e. during the training period at IMA.	56,100 per month (Starting pay in Level 10)

Rank-Wise NDA Salary

Soon after the successful training, the pay in the pay matrix of the officer commissioned is fixed in the first Cell of Level 10. So, here we have provided complete details of the NDA post and NDA salary. Therefore, go through the information carefully.

NDA Posts	NDA Salary Pay Scale (per month in INR)
Lieutenant	INR 56100 to INR 177500/-
Captain	INR 61300 to INR 193900/-
Major	INR 69400 to INR 207200/-
Lieutenant Colonel	INR 121200 to INR 212400/-
Colonel	INR 130600 to INR 215900/-
Brigadier	INR 139600 to INR 217600/-
Major General	INR 144200 to INR 218200/-
Lt. General HAG Scale	INR 182200 to INR 224400/-
HAG + Scale	INR 205400 to INR 224400/-
VCOAS, Army CDR, Lt. Gen (NFSG)	INR 225000/-
COAS	INR 250000/-

The fixed NDA salary is INR 15500/-. The salary is paid to the officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier.

NDA Salary – Allowances and Perks

Besides the above-mentioned basic NDA salary pay, candidates are offered additional allowances and perks. So, here is the list of the allowances paid to the cadets.

Perks and Allowances Offered	Payable Amount for NDA Salary
Dearness Allowances	It is admissible to the same rates and under the same conditions as applying to civilian personnel from time to time.
Kit Maintenance Allowances	INR 20000 annually along with dearness allowances.
Para Allowance	INR 25000/-
Para Jump Instructor Allowance	INR 10500/-
Special Forces Allowance	INR 25000/-
Project Allowance	INR 3400/-
Para Reserve Allowance	INR 2625/-
Technical Allowance (tier-I)	INR 3000/-
Technical Allowance (tier-II)	INR 4500/-

Additional Allowances

Based on the rank and posting, the NDA cadets are posted in the field areas and are eligible for the following allowances.

Field Area Allowances

Field Area Allowances	Amount Payable (per month)
Highly active field area allowance – HAFA	INR 16900/-
Field Area Allowance – FD Area	INR 10500/-
Modified Field Area Allowance – Mod FD Area	INR 6300/-

High Altitude Allowances

Cadets posted to Siachen get an allowance of INR 42500/- per month. Similarly, the NDA officers posted in the higher altitude region get the following allowances.

Levels	Allowance Payable (per month)
Siachen Allowance	INR 42500/-
Category – I	INR 3400/-
Category – II	INR 5300/-
Category- III	INR 25000/-

Counter Insurgency Allowance

Area	Payable Amount (per month)
Peace Area	INR 10500/-
Field Area	INR 16900/-
Modified Field Area	INR 13013/-

Transport Allowances

Level	Higher TPTA Cities	Other Places
Nine and above	INR 7200/- + DA Thereon	INR 3600/- + DA Thereon

Children Education Allowance

The Children Education Allowance of INR 2250/- per month per child is offered to the two eldest surviving children. However, it applies from nursery to Class 12th.

Hostel Subsidy

An INR 6750/- per month per child is offered to the two eldest surviving children. The hostel subsidy is admissible from the nursery to the 12th class.

Free Ration

The allowances for free rations are applicable for two stages, which are –

• Defense Officers who are posted in the peace area.
• Continue in Field Area to all Defence Officers.

Major Points on NDA Salary, Perks, and Allowances

• The Dearness Allowance is payable per the revised pay scale, which goes up by 50%.
• Physically challenged personnel are paid at a double rate, with a minimum INR 2250+ dearness allowance.
• The transport allowance is not permissible to someone who has already been provided with government transport.
• Higher TPTA cities include Hyderabad, Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Kozhikode, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, and Kochi.
• A special facility is provided to the officers in pay level 14 or above entitled to use the office car. These officers can get the car facility and benefits from the government or draw the transport allowance at INR 15750+ dearness allowance.

NDA Salary – Monetary Benefits in Case of Mishap

If any candidate of the National Defense Academy or Indian Navy meets any unfortunate accident, they receive the following benefits in such cases.

Compensation of Disability

• A monthly ex-gratia amount of INR 9000 per month.
• Also, an ex-gratia disability award of INR 16200 per month is provided in case of 100% disability.
• Constance Attendance Allowance of INR 6750 per month for 100% disabled (on the recommendation of Invaliding Medical Board).
• Lastly, a no-disability award, where the degree of disability is 20%.

Compensation in case of death

• An Ex-Gratia amount of INR 12.50 lacs is paid to the NOK.
• Ex-Gratia amount of INR 9000 per month is paid to the NOK.
• In addition, the ex-gratia awards to cadets (direct) or NOK is sanctioned based on eligibility, and the same is not treated as a pension for any purpose.

Insurance Policies

While receiving the NDA salary, several insurance policies can benefit the cadets in various ways. They are as follows –

• Army Group Insurance Fund – It is a compulsory contributory group scheme that provides insurance cover of INR 15 Lacs on the one-time non-refundable premium of INR 6400 for three years paid from the date of joining NDA till completion of training.
•  For less than 20% disability, only an ex-gratia grant of INR 50000 for the initial year of training. In addition, 1 lac during the last year of training will be paid.
• For officers with more than 20% disability, an ex-gratia amount of INR 50000 (in the initial year of training) and 1 Lac during the last year of training will be paid.

NDA Job Profile

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a famous tri-service academy in India that prepares cadets for commission into the Indian Armed Forces. The work description of an NDA cadet differs depending on which armed force they join after completing their training. The following are the usual employment profiles for NDA cadets in the three services:

1. Indian Army: After finishing the NDA course, cadets can choose between different arms and services in the Indian Army, such as:

• Combat Arms: Infantry, Armoured Corps, Artillery, and Engineers
• Support Arms: Army Aviation Corps, Army Air Defence, Signals, and Intelligence Corps
• Services: Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, and Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers
• The primary responsibility is to lead and command troops in a variety of operational and administrative roles.
• Officers are in charge of training, planning, and conducting military operations, as well as managing personnel and resources.

2. Indian Navy: NDA cadets who join the Indian Navy can pick from the following branches:

• Executive Branch: In charge of navigation, seamanship, and overall command of navy ships and submarines.
• Engineering Branch: In charge of operating and maintaining navy vessels’ machinery and systems.
• Electrical Branch: In charge of operating and maintaining navy vessels’ electrical and electronic systems.
• Officers in the Indian Navy are responsible for a variety of functions, including maritime operations, naval aviation, coastal defense, and maritime security.

3. Indian Air Force: NDA cadets who join the Indian Air Force can pick from the following branches:

• Flying Branch: Pilots for various aircraft, including fighters, transports, and helicopters.
• Ground Duty Branches: It includes administration, logistics, accounting, education, and meteorology.
• Technical Branches: It includes aeronautical engineering, electronics, and mechanical engineering.
• Air Force officers are primarily responsible for flying operations, air defense, air traffic control, logistics, and aircraft and system maintenance.

NDA Eligibility

Here are the major eligibility conditions for taking the NDA (National Defence Academy) examination:

• Age Limit: For Army Wing, candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old.
• For Air Force and Navy Wings, candidates should be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old.
• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Senior Secondary Examination (10+2 pattern) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
• Physical Standards: Specific height and weight requirements based on gender and category.
• Vision Standards: Candidates must meet distant and near vision, color vision, and field of vision.
• Nationality and Other Requirements: Candidates must be unmarried Indian citizens and meet fitness standards.
• Retired or resigned candidates are not eligible.

NDA – Promotion Opportunities

Candidates who have opted for the Indian Defense Services get promotions based on their performance and years of service. Hence, here is a list of all designations offered during the promotions.

Minimum Service Required for the promotion	Indian Army	Navy	Indian Air Force
On being commissioned	Lieutenant	Sub Lieutenant	Flying Officer
After two years of service	Captain	Lieutenant	Flight Lieutenant
After six years of service	Major	Lt. Commander	Squadron Leader
13 years of service	Lt. Colonel	Commander	Wing Commander
On selection	Colonel	Captain	Group Captain
26 years of service	Colonel (time scale)	Captain (time scale)	Group Captain (time scale)
On selection	Brigadier	Commodore	Air Commodore
Promotion on selection	Major General	Rear Admiral	Air-Vice Marshal
On selection	Lieutenant General	Vice Admiral	Air Marshal
On Selection	General	Admiral	Air Chief Marshal

Factors Affecting NDA Officers Salary

The following are the primary criteria that influence an NDA officer’s remuneration.

• Officer Rank: The basic compensation for an NDA officer is determined by their rank, which can be Lieutenant, Captain, or Major. Higher grades often have higher basic pay rates.
• Years of Service: The length of an officer’s service considerably impacts their remuneration. Longer-serving officers are eligible for promotions, higher pay scales, and more benefits, resulting in incremental wage increases.
• Promotions: As NDA officers advance to higher ranks in the military structure, their salaries and benefits increase.
• Allowances: In addition to the base wage, other allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), transportation allowance, and House Rent Allowance (HRA) are provided. Officers stationed in tough environments are generally given additional allowances.

NDA Selection Process

The NDA selection process consists of a written exam and an SSB interview. The NDA written test consists of two subjects: mathematics and GAT. It has a total of 900 marks. Candidates who pass the written exam with the desired cut-off scores are invited to an SSB interview, which carries 900 points. The written exam and SSB interview are used to determine the final selection of candidates. Candidate selection is based on merit and preference.

NDA Retirement Benefits

After retirement, NDA salary benefits include a pension, gratuity, and casualty pensionary award according to prevailing rules. Additionally, a leave policy applies, following the rules in force at the time of retirement.

Conclusion

In summary, the NDA Salary structure, including its various allowances and perks, reflects the Indian Government’s commitment to adequately compensating its defense personnel. Understanding the NDA salary per month, the increments after training, and the comprehensive benefits associated with different ranks provides a clear picture of the financial rewards of a career in the National Defence Academy. Whether you’re considering a career in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, the NDA salary after training and the long-term financial benefits are significant factors to consider. With its competitive pay scale and extensive allowances, the NDA Salary package stands as a testament to the value and respect accorded to those who serve the nation in its defense services.

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