NDA Salary 2025: Perks, Allowances, In-hand Salary, Promotions

NDA Salary 2025: The Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy attract high demand due to their highly incentive-rich NDA salary package. Since the implementation of the 7th pay commission, the NDA salary has been revised to a level that justifies the commitment of commissioned officers to serving the nation. Upon selection to the NDA & NA, candidates undergo a rigorous 1-year training period during which they receive a stipend of INR 56,100. Once trainees are commissioned into different wings, they are entitled to receive salaries as per the government's prescribed norms.

Individuals who successfully pass the NDA exam are granted a commission at the rank of Lieutenant. At this initial rank, they are provided with a monthly salary of INR 56,100, categorized under Level 10 pay as per the pay structure. The pinnacle of achievable ranks is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), where the officer is allotted a fixed salary of INR 2,50,000. Following the regulations stipulated by the government, officers are entitled to a fixed Military Service Pay (MSP) of INR 15,500 per month, starting from the Lieutenant rank and continuing up to the rank of Brigadier.

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NDA salary includes allowances, perks, and other several benefits. These benefits and allowances may vary depending on the serviceman's rank and the place where they are posted. Some of these allowances are a) High Altitude Allowance b) Counter Insurgency Allowance c) Field Area Allowance

NDA Salary 2025

Candidates selected for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy are commissioned into the post of Lieutenant in the Indian Army, Sub-Lietutenant in the Indian Navy, and Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force. At the initial rank in the NDA, the salary remains the same. 

NDA Stipend

Candidates are given fixed stipend during their cadet training.

It is to be noted that once candidates are successfully commissioned their pay remains the same in the first cell of Level 10. 

As per the official notification, “On successful commissioning, the pay in the Pay Matrix of the Officer commissioned shall be fixed in first Cell of Level 10 and the period of training shall not be treated as commissioned service and arrears on account of admissible allowances, as applicable, for the training period shall be paid to cadets”.

NDA Salary 2025: Rank-wise

The rank-wise NDA salary of Army, Navy, and Air Force officers are tabulated below:

There is also a fixed Military Service Pay (MSP) given to officers. However, this fixed pay is given to officers till the Brigadier rank. 

NDA Salary: Allowances & Perks

Along with the NDA salary, Indian Armed Services Officers receive a variety of allowances and perks. The allowances may differ depending on the nature of their work and the location to which they are posted.

Note: There is also a provision of Flying Allowance for Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps of INR 25,000 per month.

High Altitude Allowance

Each NDA officer is given an allowance according to the altitude at which he or she is posted.

Counter Insurgency Allowance

Field Area Allowance

NDA Allowances - Others

There are several other types of allowances such as Siachen Allowance, Transport Allowance, Uniform Allowance, and others. Check the table below to know more about such allowances and benefits given to NDA officers.

NDA Pecuniary Benefits (In case of Adversity)

In the event an officer suffers an unfortunate event while serving, monetary benefits are provided to them. 

NDA 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 shall be granted solely on an ex-gratia basis and shall not be considered pension for any purpose.
• Dearness Relief at the applicable rates will be granted on both monthly ex-gratia and ex-gratia disability awards.

NDA Benefits in Case of Disablement

• Ex-gratia payment of Rs. 9,000/- per month.
• Additionally, an ex-gratia disability award of Rs. 16200/- per month shall be payable for the entire period of disability, subject to pro rata reduction if the degree of disability is less.
• If the degree of disability is less than 20%, no disability award will be paid.
• For people who are 100% disabled, continuous attendant allowance (CAA) of Rs 6750/- is awarded each month on advice of the Invalidating The Medical Board (IBM).

NDA Insurance Policies Benefit

• Cadets can obtain insurance coverage of Rs. 15 lakh by paying a one-time non-refundable premium of Rs. 7,200/- from the date they join for pre-commission training for a period of three years.
• For each term that a cadet is demoted, an extra premium of Rs. 1,355 would be paid.
• Cadets at IMA, when receiving stipend, are insured for Rs. 75 lakh, similar to regular army officers. A 100 percent disabled person that is invalidated out by IMB and isn't eligible for a pension will be compensated with Rs 25 lakhs.

Note: Only an Ex-Gratia amount of Rs 50,000 for the first year of training and Rs 1 lakh for the final year of training will be paid for less than 20% disability (in points 4 and 5).

NDA Retirement Benefits

Pension, gratuity, and casualty pensionary awards will be admissible in accordance with current rules and regulations.

NDA Promotions

Officers are promoted to higher ranks in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the concerned authority. Interested candidates can check the table below for more information on promotional ranks in the NDA and NA.

Conclusion

The NDA salary and perks are crucial for candidates who want to join the Indian Armed Forces. It is a highly motivating factor for candidates who want to contribute to the safety and security of the nation.