NDA Salary, Pay & Allowances – Complete Guide

Joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) is a dream for thousands of young aspirants who want to serve the nation as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. Along with the pride and honor, candidates often ask: “What is the NDA salary? What allowances are given? How much do cadets earn?”

This guide explains the NDA salary, pay scale, allowances, and career growth in detail so you get a clear idea before starting your preparation.

NDA Salary During Training

When you join the NDA as a cadet, you do not receive a “salary” but a stipend. This stipend is the same for cadets of all three wings (Army, Navy, and Air Force).

Stage	Stipend / Salary (Approx.)
NDA Cadet (during 3-year training)	₹56,100 per month (fixed stipend)
Indian Military Academy (IMA) / Naval Academy / Air Force Academy (Pre-commission training)	₹56,100 per month

🔹 Note: The stipend is considered equivalent to Level 10 of the Defence Pay Matrix (₹56,100–1,77,500).

NDA Officer Pay Scale After Commission

After successfully completing training at NDA and their respective academies (IMA, INA, AFA), cadets are commissioned as Lieutenants, Sub-Lieutenants, or Flying Officers. The pay scale increases as they move up in rank.

Rank	Pay Scale (7th CPC)
Lieutenant / Sub-Lieutenant / Flying Officer	₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500
Captain / Lieutenant / Flight Lieutenant	₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900
Major / Lieutenant Commander / Squadron Leader	₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200
Lieutenant Colonel / Commander / Wing Commander	₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400
Colonel / Captain / Group Captain	₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900
Brigadier / Commodore / Air Commodore	₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600
Major General / Rear Admiral / Air Vice Marshal	₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200
Lieutenant General / Vice Admiral / Air Marshal	₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100
General / Admiral / Air Chief Marshal (Service Chiefs)	₹2,50,000 (fixed)
Cabinet Rank Officer (Chief of Defence Staff)	₹2,50,000 (fixed)

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NDA Allowances and Perks

In addition to the basic salary, NDA officers are entitled to a variety of allowances and perks.

• Dearness Allowance (DA): As per government rates, revised periodically (currently ~42% of basic).
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8%–24% depending on city of posting.
• Transport Allowance: ₹3,600 + DA (higher in metro cities).
• Uniform Allowance: Provided annually for maintenance and new uniforms.
• High Altitude Allowance: ₹3,400–₹25,000 per month for postings in difficult terrains like Siachen.
• Field Area Allowance: ₹10,500–₹16,900 per month depending on rank & area.
• Flying Allowance (Air Force Officers): ₹25,000 per month.
• Other Perks: Free medical facilities, canteen facilities, subsidized housing, pension after retirement.

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NDA In-Hand Salary

The in-hand salary is the basic pay + grade pay + allowances – deductions (like mess charges, provident fund, etc.).

• Newly Commissioned Lieutenant/Flying Officer/Sub-Lieutenant:
  In-hand ~₹65,000–₹75,000 (depending on posting area & allowances).

This amount increases steadily with promotions and years of service.

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Career Growth & Promotions

After NDA training, officers enjoy a well-structured career path with timely promotions:

• Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Lt Colonel → Colonel → Brigadier → Major General → Lieutenant General → General (Chief of Army Staff).
• Similar growth paths exist in Navy and Air Force.
• Performance, seniority, and examinations decide promotions.

The growth ensures both financial stability and prestige in society.

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NDA Salary vs CDS & AFCAT

Many aspirants also compare NDA salary with CDS (Combined Defence Services) and AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) entries.

Entry Type	Starting Stipend / Salary	Training Period
NDA (after 12th)	₹56,100 stipend	3 years NDA + 1 year Academy
CDS (after graduation)	₹56,100 stipend	1.5 years IMA/INA/AFA
AFCAT (after graduation)	₹56,100 stipend + Flying Allowances	1 year AFA

🔹 The salary is almost the same after commission, but NDA gives you an early start right after Class 12, making it the most popular route.

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FAQs on NDA Salary & Allowances

Q1. What is the NDA cadet stipend?
A: ₹56,100 per month during training.

Q2. Do NDA cadets get salary or stipend?
A: They receive a fixed stipend until they are commissioned as officers.

Q3. What is the in-hand salary of an NDA officer after training?
A: Around ₹65,000–₹75,000 per month depending on allowances.

Q4. Which allowances are highest in NDA officer salary?
A: High Altitude Allowance, Field Area Allowance, and Flying Allowance.

Q5. Is NDA salary better than private jobs?
A: Yes, apart from salary, officers enjoy free medical, housing, pension, and immense respect in society.

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Conclusion

The NDA salary, pay scale, and allowances ensure financial stability along with the pride of serving the nation. From a stipend of ₹56,100 as cadets to ₹2.5 lakh per month as Service Chiefs, the journey is rewarding both personally and professionally.

If you dream of becoming an NDA officer, the first step is cracking the NDA written exam and SSB interview.

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