UPSC CDS 2026 Salary & Pay Scale

From the official Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) documents · last checked 3 October 2026

PostsPay levelPay
Officer Cadet / Flight Cadet during training at IMA, INA, AFA or OTAFixed stipend (starting pay of Level 10)Rs 56,100 per month
Lieutenant (Army) and equal ranks in Navy and Air Force - rank on commissioningLevel 10Rs 56,100 - 1,77,500
CaptainLevel 10BRs 61,300 - 1,93,900
MajorLevel 11Rs 69,400 - 2,07,200
Lieutenant ColonelLevel 12ARs 1,21,200 - 2,12,400
ColonelLevel 13Rs 1,30,600 - 2,15,900
BrigadierLevel 13ARs 1,39,600 - 2,17,600
Major GeneralLevel 14Rs 1,44,200 - 2,18,200
Lieutenant General (HAG scale)Level 15Rs 1,82,200 - 2,24,100
HAG+ scaleLevel 16Rs 2,05,400 - 2,24,400
VCOAS / Army Commander / Lieutenant GeneralLevel 17Rs 2,25,000 (fixed)
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)Level 18Rs 2,50,000 (fixed)

From Appendix IV of the CDS (II) 2026 notification. Officers from Lieutenant to Brigadier also get Military Service Pay of Rs 15,500 per month (fixed). Other allowances include Dearness Allowance (same rate as civilian staff), a dress allowance of Rs 20,000 a year, free rations, transport allowance (for Pay Level 10 and above: Rs 7,200 + DA per month in higher transport cities, Rs 3,600 + DA elsewhere) and Children Education Allowance of Rs 2,250 per month. When commissioned, pay is fixed in the first cell of Level 10. The training period does not count as commissioned service. Officers are commissioned as Lieutenant (Army), Sub-Lieutenant (Navy) or Flying Officer (Air Force). Pay and allowances can be revised from time to time.

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