CDS Salary 2025: In-hand Salary, Field Allowance, & Promotions

CDS Salary 2025: The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination, conducted by UPSC, is one of the most sought-after examinations by candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces after their graduation. Every year, between 1.5 and 2 lakh students take the CDS 1 and CDS 2 exams. The CDS exam offers prestigious positions in the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the Indian Armed Forces, which explains why the number of candidates appearing for the examination is increasing. In addition to high acclaim, the CDS salary and other perks and benefits are also a reason why candidates apply.  

Read More: CDS Exam 2025

After being chosen in the SSB Interview round, the candidate goes through the training period. Candidates receive a fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month during the training period. Following training, candidates are commissioned into the services and are paid the same salary, i.e 56,100 per month. With each promotion to a higher rank, the officers' pay and benefits increase.

CDS Salary 2025

CDS salaries consist of Basic Pay and allowances. Dearness Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Siachen Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Children Education Allowance, and others are among the allowances. The allowances are subject to the designation and the area of posting.

CDS Fixed Stipend

Candidates receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 per month during their training period. After they are commissioned into service they receive the same pay during the initial period. The starting salary of Rs 56,100 comes under the pay matrix of Level 10. It is important to note that the training period will not be counted in the commissioned service and arrears on account of admissible allowances, as applicable, for the training period shall be paid to cadets. 

CDS Pay Scale & Salary

Aspirants can check the post-wise salary and level in the table given below:

Note: Officers also receive a fixed Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs 15,500 till the rank of Brigadier. 

CDS Salary: Allowances & Perks

In addition to the pay they are entitled to, officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force also receive a number of other perks. The allowances officers receive as a part of their salary are listed in the table below.

Field Area Allowance

High Altitude Allowance

Officers receive allowances based on the altitude at which they are posted. The allowances are shown in the table below:

Note: It is important to note that Field Area Allowance & High Altitude Allowance are given to all officers of the Lieutenant & above and equivalent.

CDS Allowances: Others

Other types of allowances, including those given to candidates chosen through the CDS exam include Siachen Allowance, Transport Allowance, Uniform Allowance, and others. For more details on these benefits and allowances provided to CDS officers, see the table below.

CDS Pecuniary Benefits (In case of Adversity)

A monetary benefit is provided to officers who suffer an unfortunate event while serving.

CDS Benefits in Case of Death

• An ex-gratia payment of Rs. 12.5 lakhs to Next of Kin (NoK).
• Monthly ex-gratia payment of Rs. 9000/- to the NoK.

Note: 

• Ex-gratia awards to Cadets (Direct) / NoK must be given solely on an ex-gratia basis; they cannot be used as a substitute for a pension in any way.
• Both monthly ex-gratia and ex-gratia disability awards will be eligible for dearness relief at the appropriate rates.

CDS Benefits in Case of Disablement

• Monthly ex-gratia payment of Rs. 9,000 in case of disability.
• Additionally, a pro-rata reduction if the degree of disability is less will apply to the ex-gratia disability award, which will be paid at the rate of Rs. 16200 per month for the duration of the disability.
• No disability award will be paid if the degree of disability is less than 20%.
• On the recommendation of the Invalidating Medical Board, a continuous attendant allowance (CAA) of Rs. 6750 each month is given to individuals who are completely disabled.

CDS Tenure of Appointment

Both men and women in the regular Army will be given short service commissions for a total of 14 years or an initial period of 10 years that can be extended by an additional period of 4 years. 

In accordance with the pertinent policies as issued from time to time, male and female officers who are willing to continue serving in the Army after the ten-year period of a short service commission may, if eligible and suitable in all respects, be taken into consideration for the grant of a permanent commission in the tenth year of their commission.

Male and female SSC officers who are otherwise qualified but are not chosen for PC will have the option to remain SSCOs for a total of 14 years (including their initial tenure of 10 years), after which they will be discharged from the Army.

Note: Only candidates who have joined the Officers' Training Academy are eligible for the Short Service Commission.

Special Provisions during Extended Tenure:

In the event that they receive extended tenure, they will be able to seek release from the Army on the following grounds:—

 (i) Taking up a civil Job.

 (ii) Pursuing higher education.

 (iii) Starting their own business/joining a family business. 

CDS Promotions

According to the guidelines established by the relevant authority, officers are promoted to higher ranks. The table below contains more details on promotional ranks for CDS officers:

CDS Retirement Benefits

In accordance with current regulations and rules, pensions, gratuities, and casualty pensions will be admissible to retired officers.

CDS Scholarship

The CDS scholarship is available to cadets who join the Indian Military Academy:

PARSHURAMBHAU PATWARDHAN SCHOLARSHIP

• The recipients of this scholarship must be from MAHARASHTRA OR KARNATAKA. 
• One scholarship may be worth up to Rs. 500.00 per year for the duration of a cadet's attendance at the Indian Military Academy, provided that the cadet makes satisfactory academic progress.
• The cadets who are awarded this scholarship will not be eligible for any other government financial aid.

 COLONEL KENDAL FRANK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

• This scholarship, worth Rs. 360.00 annually, is given to a deserving Maratha cadet who must be the son of a veteran.
• A scholarship is in addition to any financial assistance from the government.

Conclusion

Salary and benefits are as crucial to CDS job seekers as to anyone seeking a job in any other field. Candidates who want to contribute to the safety and security of the country find it to be a highly motivating factor.