CDS Salary 2023
UPSC CDS Salary, Pay Scale, Promotion Policy: Combined Defence Services Exam 1 2023 Notification has been released by Union Public Service Commission on 21st December 2022 according to the UPSC Examination Calendar 2023 for induction of officers at Officers Training Academy (OTA) Men and Women, Indian Naval Academy (INA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), and Air Force Academy (AFA). CDS 1 2023 exam is scheduled to be conducted on 16th April 2023.
CDS Salary
The CDS Salary includes Basic Pay and Allowances, for example, DA, High Altitude Allowance, Uniform Allowance and others. In this article we have described the UPSC CDS Salary, Pay Scale, Promotion Policy and Job Profile of UPSC CDS passed candidate.
CDS Salary 2023: During Training Period
Candidates who get admitted to Army, Navy or Air Force subsequent to clearing the UPSC CDS test are first required to experience Cadet Training. During the preparation time frame, the Army Officers and the equal post officials in Navy and Air Force are qualified to get Fixed Stipend of Rs 56,100 every month, which the beginning compensation in Level 10. The training period is not treated as the commissioned service. Once the candidates are commissioned successfully, they get all the arrears remaining on the basis of their pay matrix with effect from their training period.
CDS Salary & Pay Scale of Officers in Army/Air Force/Navy 2023
Rank |
Level |
Pay Scale |
Lieutenant |
Level 10 |
Rs 56,100-1,77,500 |
Captain |
Level 10B |
Rs 61,300-1,93,900 |
Major |
Level 11 |
Rs 69,400-2,07,200 |
Lt Colonel |
Level 12A |
Rs 1,21,200-2,12,400 |
Colonel |
Level 13 |
Rs 1,30,600-2,15,900 |
Brigadier |
Level 13A |
Rs 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
Major General |
Level 14 |
Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
Lieutenant General HAG Scale |
Level 15 |
Rs 1,82,200-2,24,100 |
HAG+Scale |
Level 16 |
Rs 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
VCOAS/Army CDR/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) |
Level 17 |
Rs 2,25,000 (fixed) |
COAS |
Level 18 |
Rs 2,50,000 (fixed) |

Military Service Pay (MSP)
Cadets recruited as Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel or Brigadier in Army or equivalent posts in Air Force and Navy are offered the Military Service Pay (MSP).
UPSC CDS Allowances & Perks for IMA/INA/OTA/AFA
Apart from a decent salary package, the officers are eligible to get a few Allowances such as Flying Allowance, Dearness Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Uniform Allowance, etc. Have a look at these allowances below.
Allowances |
Details |
Flying Allowance |
Pilots in Level 10 & above pay scale get Rs 25,000 per month as flying allowance |
Dearness Allowance |
Same rates as applicable to civilian personnel |
Kit Maintenance Allowance |
Rs 20,000 annually |
Highly Active Field Area Allowance |
Rs 16,900 pm |
Field Area Allowance |
Rs 10,500 pm |
Modified Field Area Allowance |
Rs 6,300 pm |
High Altitude Allowance |
Category-I – Rs 3,400 pm Category-II – Rs 5,300 pm Category-III – Rs 25,000 pm |
Siachen Allowance |
Rs. 42,500 pm |
Uniform allowance |
Rs. 20,000 pm |
Free Ration |
Officer in Peace & Filed Areas get Free ration. |
Transport Allowance (TPTA) |
Higher TPTA Cities: Rs 7200 + DA pm Other Places: Rs 3600 +DA pm |
Children Education Allowance (CEA) |
Rs. 2250 pm per child for only eldest two surviving CEA is applicable from kids’ Nursery to 12th class |
CDS Promotion Policy
The promotion avenues are different in all the armed forces. Have a look at the promotion policies for officers recruited in Indian Military, Navy, OTA and Air Force below.
Indian Army: Promotion Policy
Rank |
Promotion Criteria |
Lieutenant |
After completing training |
Captain |
2 years of commissioned service |
Major |
6 years of commissioned service |
Lieutenant Colonel |
13 years of commissioned service |
Colonel (Time Scale) |
26 years of commissioned service |
Colonel |
15 years of commissioned service |
Brigadier |
On Selection |
Major General |
On Selection |
Lieutenant General |
On Selection |
General |
On Selection |
Indian Air Force: Promotion Policy
Rank |
Promotion Criteria |
Flying Officer |
On Commission |
Flight Lieutenant |
2 Years of commissioned service |
Squadron Leader |
6 years of commissioned service |
Wing Commander |
13 years of commissioned service |
Group Captain |
26 years of commissioned service |
Group Captain (Select) |
Selection |
Air Commodore |
Selection |
Air Vice Marshal |
Selection |
Air Marshal |
Selection |
Air Chief Marshal |
Selection |
Officers Training Academy (OTA): Promotion Policy
Male and Female candidates who are granted with the Short Service Commission by the OTA are eligible for following promotion avenues:
Captain – On completion of 2 years of commissioned service
Major – On completion of 6 years of commissioned service
Lieutenant Colonel – On completion of 13 years of commissioned service
All the Best!!
CDS Salary 2023 FAQs
Q1. What is the CDS officer salary?
Ans. The Salary ranges between INR 56,100 – 1,77,500 at the Lieutenant level (i.e. after completing training).
Q2. What is the CDS training period salary?
Ans. During the training period, the lady and gentlemen candidates are given a fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month.
Q3. What is the CDS OTA salary?
Ans. The salary of the CDS OTA category is the same as other categories i.e. 56,100 per month.