NDA Salary 2024, Basic Pay, Structure, Perk and Benefits
The National Defence Academy (NDA) salary for 2024 is structured according to the 7th Pay Commission, placing it in pay matrix level 10. Aspiring officers who successfully clear the NDA exam receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 throughout their 3-year training period across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings. Following the completion of this rigorous training, NDA officers become eligible for a range of allowances, including dearness allowances, uniform allowances, and transport allowances. The highest possible NDA monthly salary can reach Rs 2,50,000 for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This article provides a detailed breakdown of the NDA salary for 2024, outlining rank-wise pay scales, various allowances, and additional benefits.
Overview of NDA Salary
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) determines the NDA Salary in accordance with the 7th Pay Commission. While the core structure remains, it has seen adjustments over time. In addition to the basic salary, candidates also receive various allowances, such as Dearness Allowance (DA), High Altitude Allowance, and Uniform Allowance.
A summary of the NDA salary and associated details is provided below.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam | National Defence Academy Exam |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Purpose for NDA exam | To select eligible candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course |
| Mode | Offline |
| Number of Times | Twice a Year |
| Selection Stages | Written Test and SSB Interview |
| Educational Eligibility | Class 12 pass |
| NDA Starting Salary | INR 56,100 per month |
NDA Salary Training Period
During their training at the National Defence Academy, aspiring officers are provided with a range of benefits along with a base salary. Upon successful completion of the 3-year program, these individuals transition into commissioned officers. It is important to note that during the training phase, cadets receive a stipend rather than the full pay of a commissioned officer.
The specific stipend details for cadets undergoing training at Service Academies, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), are outlined in the following table. This stipend is set at Rs 56,100 per month, which corresponds to the starting pay in Level 10 of the pay matrix.
While the overall rank structures share similarities, the Army, Air Force, and Navy each maintain distinct rank titles and designations within their respective branches.
Fixed Stipend for Cadet Training:
| Type of Stipend | Stipend Amount | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Stipend | Rs 56,100/-p.m. | Starting pay in Level 10 |
NDA Salary Structure 2024
The comprehensive NDA Salary Structure for 2024 encompasses various components, including basic pay, grade pay, allowances, and potential deductions, which ultimately determine the gross and net salary. Below is a detailed breakdown of the NDA salary structure for candidates’ reference.
| NDA Salary Structure 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | Rs 56,100-Rs 1,77,500 |
| Dearness Allowances | 17% |
| MSP | Rs 15,500 |
| House Rent Allowances | 8% to 24% of basic pay |
| Transport Allowances | Rs 3600 to Rs 7200 based on job location and rank. |
NDA Salary After 7th Pay Commission
Following the 7th Pay Commission, the NDA salary varies significantly, ranging from ₹56,100 up to ₹2,50,000 or potentially more, influenced by factors such as rank and allowances. The remuneration for UPSC NDA Officers is distinct across the ranks within the three defence wings:
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
For instance, the basic salary received by a Lieutenant will differ from that of a Captain or a Major. Furthermore, various allowances, including dearness allowance, transportation allowance, and house rent allowance, play a crucial role in determining the total salary package.
Details of NDA salaries after the 7th Pay Commission are provided below.
| NDA Posts | NDA Pay Scale | NDA Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend during training at IMA | Rs 56,100 | Level 10 |
| Lieutenant | Rs 56,100 -1,77,500 | Level 10 |
| Captain | Rs 61,300- 1,93,900 | Level 10 B |
| Major | Rs 69,400-2,07,200 | Level 11 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Rs 1,21,200-2,12,400 | Level 12A |
| Colonel | Rs 1,30,600-2,15,900 | Level 13 |
| Brigadier | Rs 1,39,600-2,17,600 | Level 13A |
| Major General | Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200 | Level 14 |
| LT General HAG Scale | Rs 1,82,200-2,24,100 | Level 15 |
| HAG + Scale | Rs 2,05,400-2,24,400 | Level 16 |
| VCOAS/Army CDr/Lt Gen (NFSG) | Rs 2,25,000 (fixed) | Level 17 |
| COAS | Rs 2,50,000 (fixed) | Level 18 |
NDA Salary: Allowances & Perks
Beyond the basic NDA salary, candidates are also entitled to a comprehensive range of allowances and benefits. These additional financial provisions are detailed below:
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Dearness Allowance | Admissible at the same rates and under the same conditions as applied to the civilian personnel from time to time |
| Para Allowance | INR 10,500 per month |
| Para Jump Instructor Allowance | INR 10,500 per month |
| Project Allowance | INR 3,400 per month |
| Special Forces Allowance | INR 25,000 per month |
| Technical Allowance (Tier-I) | INR 3,000 per month |
| Technical Allowance (Tier-II) | INR 4,500 per month |
| Kit maintenance Allowance | Subsumed into the newly proposed Dress Allowance of INR 20,000 per year |
Flying Allowance:
Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps receive a flying allowance of Rs 25,000/- p.m.
Field Area Allowances:
Officers assigned to Field Areas qualify for specific Field Area allowances, with the amount varying based on their rank and posting location.
| Field Area Allowance to NDA | Amount Payable |
|---|---|
| Highly Active Field Area Allowance – HAFA | Rs 16,900/- pm |
| Field Area Allowance – FD Area | Rs 10,500/- pm |
| Modified Field Area Allowance – Mod FD Area | Rs 6,300/- pm |
High Altitude Allowance:
Siachen Allowance: Personnel posted to Siachen are granted a Siachen Allowance of Rs 42,500/- per month.
Other: NDA officers serving in high-altitude regions also benefit from the following allowances:
| Levels of NDA Officers | Allowance Amount |
|---|---|
| Category-I | Rs 3,400/- Per Month |
| Category-II | Rs 5,300/- Per Month |
| Category-III | Rs 25,000/- Per Month |
Counter Insurgency Allowance:
Officers posted in areas requiring counter-insurgency operations are eligible for this allowance, which varies based on the type of area.
| Levels of NDA Officers | Allowance Amount |
|---|---|
| In Peace Area | Rs 10,500/- pm |
| In Field Area | Rs 16,900/- pm |
| In Modified Field Area | Rs 13,013/- pm |
Transport Allowance (TPTA):
Higher TPTA Cities (UA) include Patna, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Surat, Kochi, Bengaluru, Kozhikode, Indore, Nagpur, Pune, Greater Mumbai, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Ghaziabad, Chennai. This TPTA allowance is applicable to NDA service personnel who are not provided with government transport facilities.
| Level | Higher TPTA Cities | Other Places |
|---|---|---|
| 9 and Above | Rs. 7200/ Rs + DA thereon (Per month) | Rs. 3600/Rs + DA thereon (Per month) |
Other Allowances:
Several additional allowances are extended to officers, as listed below.
| Allowance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Children Education Allowance – CEA | Rs. 2250 Per Month Per Child for two eldest surviving. CEA is admissible from Nursery to class 12th. |
| Hostel Subsidy | Rs. 6,750/- per month per child for two eldest surviving only (admissible from Nursery to Class 12th). |
| Ration in Kind | In Field Area and Peace Area to all Defence officers every month |
| Uniform Allowance | Rs 20,000/- per year. |
Monetary Support In Case of Death or Disablement
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is anticipated to release the 2024 monetary support structure for cases of death or disablement shortly. For immediate reference, the figures from 2023 are provided here. The following monetary benefits are extended to Cadets (Direct) or their Next of Kin (NoK) should a Cadet (Direct) be invalided on medical grounds or pass away due to causes attributable to or aggravated by military training:
| Circumstance | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Death | Ex-gratia amount of Rs. 12.5 lakhs to the NoK. Monthly Ex-gratia amount of Rs. 9000/- per month to the NoK. |
| Disablement | Monthly Ex-gratia amount of Rs. 9,000/- per month. Ex-gratia disability award at Rs. 16200/- per month shall be payable in addition to 100% of disability during the period of disablement subject to pro-rata reduction in case the degree of disablement is less than 100%. No disability award shall be payable in cases where the degree of disablement is less than 20%. Constant Attendant Allowance (CAA) at Rs 6750/- per month for 100% disabled on the recommendation of Invaliding Medical Board (IBM). |
NDA Salary 2024 Insurance Policies
The Army Group Insurance Fund provides an insurance cover of Rs.15 lakh. This is secured through a one-time non-refundable premium of Rs. 7,200/- (which is subject to revision) paid by cadets starting from their date of joining for pre-commission training, covering the 3-year period. Should a cadet be relegated, an additional premium of Rs. 1,355/- (also subject to revision) will be required per relegated term.
For individuals invalided by the Invaliding Medical Board (IMB) due to disability who are not eligible for a pension, a sum of Rs. 15 lakhs is provided for 100 percent disability. This amount is proportionately reduced, for example, to Rs 3 lakhs for 20 percent disability. Furthermore, Lady/Gentlemen Cadets receiving a stipend during their pre-commission training are insured for Rs. One Cr, consistent with the coverage applicable to officers of the regular Army.