CDS Salary Structure, Pay Scale, Allowances & Benefits 2026
After clearing the selection process of CDS 2026, the candidates will undergo the Cadet training during which the officers in Army, Navy, or equivalent posts get a fixed stipend which is the base salary in Level 10. The starting salary i.e. the training stipend is 56,100/ per month.
| Relevant Links for CDS Exam | ||
|---|---|---|
| CDS Eligibility Criteria | CDS Syllabus | CDS Cutoff |
| CDS Application Form | CDS Exam Pattern | CDS Admit Card |
The CDS Salary comprises Basic Pay and Allowances such as DA, High Altitude Allowance, Uniform Allowance and others. The amount of the salary will vary depending on the designation and academy of the officers.
CDS Fixed Stipend
During the training period, the lady and gentlemen candidates are given a fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month. This is also the starting pay of officers working at Level 10. Again, this period is not counted as commission service. After getting successfully commissioned, candidates will be able to get all the arrears remaining based on their pay matrix with effect from their training period.APPLY NOWCHECK ELIGIBILITYGET UPDATESCDS Salary
CDS Pay Scale and Salary
In the following table, the salary and pay scale is mentioned as per the designation for IMA, IFA, AFA & OTA:
| Rank | Level | Pay Scale/ Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | INR 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | INR 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | INR 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12 A | INR 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | INR 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13 A | INR 1,39,600 – 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | INR 1,44,200 – 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | INR 1,82,200 – 2,24,100 |
| HAG + Scale | Level 16 | INR 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) / Army Cdr | Level 17 | INR 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | INR 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
Military Service Pay (MSP): For officers in rank Lieutenant to Brigadier also gets a fixed Military Service Pay of INR 15,500 each month.CDS Allowances
CDS Allowances & Perks
- Qualification Grant: Employees will be governed according to the newly proposed Higher Qualification Incentive (HQI). The order is yet to be issued by MoD.
- Flying Allowance: Pilots serving in level 10 and above pay scale gets a fixed allowance of INR 25,000 per month.
- Dearness Allowance: Same rates as applicable to the civilian personnel from time to time.
- Kit Maintenance Allowance: Combined with the newly proposed dress allowance of INR 20,000 per year.
- Field Area Allowance: Depending on the area and rank of posting, officers get the following field area allowances:
- Highly Active Field Area (HAFA) – For officers serving in rank 10 or above get INR 16,900 per month
- Field Area Allowance – For officers serving in rank 10 or above get INR 10,500 per month
- Modified Field Area Allowance – For officers serving in rank 10 or above get INR 6,300 per month
- High Altitude Allowance: High Altitude allowances varies for officers in the following manner:
- CAT I – For officers serving in rank 10 or above get INR 3,400 per month
- CAT II – For officers serving in rank 10 or above get INR 5,300 per month
- CAT III – For officers serving in rank 10 or above get INR 25,000 per month
- Siachen Allowance: Siachen allowance is INR 42,500 per month.
- Uniform Allowance: This has been covered under the newly proposed dress allowance of INR 20,000 per year.
- Transport Allowance: Transport allowance varies depending on the city of the officer as follows:
- Higher TPTA cities: Officers working in level 9 or above get an allowance of INR 7,200 + DA per month.
- Other Places: Officers working in level 9 or above get an allowance of INR 3,600 + DA per month.
- Officials of pay level 14 and above who are allowed to use the official car can either utilize the official car or take an allowance of INR 15,750 + DA per month.
- Children Education Allowance: Children Education Allowance of INR 2,250 per month is applicable from nursery to class 12. Allowance is given only for the two eldest children only.
- Free Ration: Officers serving in filed areas & peace are entitled to free ration.
CDS Salary: Additional Benefits
- Officers in the Navy/ Army/ Air Force can get an Annual Leave of 60 days per year and a casual leave of 20 days per year. Officers of CDS can encash their Annual Leave up to 10 days in addition to the Leave Travel Concession till 60 days in a career span to cover incidental travel expenses.
- Officers, along with their family members, get other benefits like free medical aid, group insurance scheme, accommodation on concessional rent, canteen facilities, group housing scheme, family assistance scheme, etc.