Key Points
- NDA cadets receive a ₹56,100 monthly stipend during training as per the 7th Pay Commission.
- Post-training, officers' salaries range from ₹56,100 to ₹2,50,000, based on rank.
- Allowances include DA, HRA, and TA, with special allowances for specific postings.
NDA Salary 2026: Those who prepare for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) exam must be well aware of the salary structure and perks associated with this job profile. Those who qualify the NDA exam are entitled for training in the NDA and are provided with a monthly stipend of ₹56,100. This stipend is according to the 7th Pay Commission. There are many other associated allowances along with the salary structure such as Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and others.
NDA Salary 2026
The candidates who qualify the NDA examination and the SSB interview are selected for a training programme at the National Defence Academy which will span around three years. NDA cadets are entitled to a fixed monthly stipend of ₹56,100, as per Pay Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission during the training period.
Once the training is completed, the NDA cadets are commissioned as officers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, or Indian Air Force. The salary structure then increases which involves the other perks and benefits and goes higher up to the highest rank in the Armed Forces.
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NDA Salary Per Month During Training
The NDA cadets receive a stipend during training which begins at Pay Level 10 under the 7th Pay Commission. The per month salary of an NDA cadet during the training period is ₹56,100.
NDA Salary After Training
The candidates who got selected for training are called “Cadets”. The cadets after the training are commissioned as Officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The salary after commissioning can range between ₹56,100 - ₹2,50,000.
NDA Salary 2026 Structure: Rank-Wise Pay Scale
Aspirants joining the NDA are often keen to understand the complete salary progression from cadet level to top military ranks. The rank-wise NDA salary structure is given below:
| Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹) |
| Training (Cadet) | Level 10 | 56,100 (Fixed Stipend) |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 - 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | 61,300 - 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 - 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 - 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600 - 2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600 - 2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | 1,44,200 - 2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General (HAG) | Level 15 | 1,82,200 - 2,24,100 |
| HAG+ Scale | Level 16 | 2,05,400 - 2,24,400 |
| VCOAS / Army Commander | Level 17 | 2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| Chief of Army Staff (COAS) | Level 18 | 2,50,000 (Fixed) |
NDA Per Month Salary
The per month salary of an NDA officer varies as per the location of posting, rank and role. The per month salary consists of the basic pay and other allowances such as DA, TA, HRA, MSP, etc. The in-hand salary is the net income which the officer gets after all the necessary deductions.
Major Components of In-Hand Salary
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Dearness Allowance (DA): This allowance is paid to adjust the inflation and is usually 17% of the basic pay.
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Military Service Pay (MSP): It is fixed at ₹15,500 per month over and above the basic pay.
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House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8%-24% of basic pay based on city category
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Transport Allowance: ₹3,600 to ₹7,200 per month depending on posting and rank
NDA Salary 2026: Additional Perks and Benefits
Apart from the basic pay, NDA officers receive several special allowances based on operational requirements and postings:
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Special Forces Allowance: ₹25,000 monthly allowance
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High Altitude Allowance: Provided for high altitude areas postings
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Para Jump Instructor Allowance: ₹10,500 per month
These benefits make the NDA salary structure both financially rewarding and professionally prestigious.
NDA Officers Career Growth & Promotion Path
NDA-trained officers follow a well-defined promotion hierarchy with increasing authority, pay, and responsibilities:
Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Lieutenant Colonel → Colonel → Brigadier → Major General → Lieutenant General (HAG / HAG+) → VCOAS / Army Commander → Chief of Army Staff
Along with promotions, officers receive enhanced pay, higher allowances, and leadership roles. After retirement, they are eligible for pension, gratuity, and other post-retirement benefits as per Ministry of Defence rules.
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