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Updated on 22nd July, 2024 , 6 min read
The Combined Defense Services or the CDS conducts its recruitment exam every year to recruit eligible candidates into the unit. The exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Thousands of candidates appear for the exam and wish to join CDS because of its attractive salary structure and job profile.
CDS Salary 2024: The official notification PDF from the Union Public Service Commission contains the UPSC CDS Salary 2024 information. The ranks of the candidates will determine the CDS In-Hand Salary. The pay scale, pay level, and total salary structure all rise in tandem with rank. In addition to the UPSC CDS 2024 Salary, each chosen applicant will be eligible for a number of other benefits.
Read more about the CDS salary, pay scale, training stipend, and more in this article.
According to the CDS Salary structure, candidates who will begin as Lieutenants in the unit will be entitled to a pay bracket of Rs 56,100 - Rs 1,77,500 per month after successful training and as per the rank of the CDS officer.
The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is administered by the UPSC in order to get admission to the IMA/INA/AFA/OTA courses. The CDS recruitment process comprises three crucial steps- written exam, SSB interview, and medical exam.
In addition to the salary, aspirants also need to be aware of the UPSC Job Profile in order to better understand the CDS Exam.
Candidates must pass the CDS exam, the SSB interview, and the medical exam to become CDS Commissioned Officers. They are only eligible to get the CDS Salary if they have finished all of these phases. The salaries of CDS officers will increase with each rank. The pay scale for CDS officers is structured as follows:
The CDS Salary 2024 offers a competitive package to its recruited candidates. Check the following table:
Particulars | Details |
Name of the Exam | Combined Defence Service Examination |
Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
Mode of Exam | Offline |
Selection Stages | Written Exam, SSB Interview, Medical Test |
CDS Training Period Salary | Rs. 56,100 |
CDS Basic Pay | Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500 (per month) |
CDS Allowances | Basic Pay, Grade Pay, DA, and other allowances |
Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
The CDS exam is meant to recruit candidates in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy. Officers get pay that is relevant to their rank, years of service, and responsibilities. The following table showcases the salary structure as per the rank:
CDS Post Wise Salary Structure | ||
Ranks | CDS Pay Scale | Pay Matrix |
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 12 A |
Colonel | Rs. 1,30,600 - 2,15,900 | Level 13 |
Brigadier | Rs. 1,39,600 - 2,17,600 | Level 13 A |
Major General | Rs. 1,44,200 - 2,18,200 | Level 14 |
Lieutenant General | Rs. 1,82,200 - 2,24,100 | Level 15 |
HAG + Scale | Rs. 2,05,400 - 2,24,400 | Level 16 |
VCOAS/ Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Rs. 2,25,000 (fixed) | Level 17 |
COAS | Rs. 2,50,000 (fixed) | Level 18 |
The amount of money that individuals earn during their training period is known as the CDS Training Period salary, whereas the salary that persons receive once their training is completed and they begin regular service with the CDS is known as the CDS General salary. After completing their training period, selected candidates are eligible for the general compensation that is offered under the CDS pay scale.
CDS Salary Component | CDS Training Period Salary | CDS General Salary |
Basic Pay | Fixed stipend of INR 56,100 per month | Ranges from INR 56,100 to INR 1,77,500 per month |
Pay Level | Level 10 | Varies depending on the rank and pay level of the officer |
Allowances | NA | Includes grade pay, allowances, and other benefits. Allowances cover various expenses such as housing, medical, and travel. |
Commission Service | Not counted as commission service | Commission service starts after the training period |
The CDS officers are entitled to a number of allowances in addition to their monthly salary. These include the Flying Allowance, Dearness Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Uniform Allowance, etc. Here is a list of all the allowances that CDS officers enjoy:
Allowances | Details |
Flying Allowance | Pilots on pay scales Level 10 and higher receive a flying allowance of Rs 25,000 per month. |
Dearness Allowance | The same rates that apply to civilian employees |
Kit Maintenance Allowance | An annual allowance of Rs 20,000 |
High Active Field Area Allowance | Rs 16,900 per month |
Field Area Allowance | Rs. 10,500 per month |
Modified Field Area Allowance | Rs. 6,300 per month |
High Altitude Allowance | Category-I – Rs 3,400 per month Category-II – Rs 5,300 per month Category-III – Rs 25,000 per month |
Siachen Allowance | Rs. 42,500 per month |
Uniform Allowance | Rs. 20,000 per month |
Free Ration | Officers in Peace & Filed Areas get Free ration. |
Transport Allowance (TPTA) | Higher TPTA Cities: Rs 7200 + DA per month Other Places: Rs 3600 +DA per month |
Children Education Allowance (CEA) | CEA of Rs. 2250 per month per child is payable for just the two oldest surviving children. This is from nursery to Class 12. |
NOTE: Applicants should be aware of the following guidelines of the Travel Allowance Scheme by CDS-
Other Allowances
In addition to the above allowances, CDS personnel also get certain other benefits that are mentioned below:
There are a lot of benefits and allowances that the government provides to the CDS personnel. Candidates should consider all these points carefully and have a deep knowledge of the CDS Salary structure before joining the unit.
The CDS Promotion Policy is different for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Check the guidelines for CDS promotion in the Army, Air Force, and OTA in the following section.
Indian Army Promotion Policy
Candidates selected in the Indian Army through the UPSC CDS are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. However, their promotion depends on their years of experience, service in the army, seniority level, and job profile. Check the following table for UPSC CDS Career in the Indian Army:
Rank | Promotion Criteria |
Lieutenant | After completion of training |
Captain | 2 years of commissioned service |
Major | 6 years of commissioned service |
Lieutenant | 13 years of commissioned service |
Colonel (Time Scale) | 26 years of commissioned service |
Colonel | 15 years of commissioned service |
Brigadier | 23 years of commissioned service |
Major General | 25 years of commissioned service |
Lieutenant General | 28 years of commissioned service |
General | No restriction |
Indian Air Force Promotion Policy
Rank | Promotion Criteria |
Flying Officer | On Commission |
Flying Lieutenant Officer | 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 |
OTA Promotion Policy
The Officer's Training Academy promotion policy is applicable for both male and female candidates who are deployed for the Short Service Commission.
Rank | Promotion Criteria |
Captain | 2 years |
Major | 6 years |
Lieutenant | 13 years |
Formula for CDS Salary Calculation
The CDS Salary structure includes both grade pay and basic pay. The monthly pay scale of a CDS personnel ranges between INR 56,100 - INR 1,77,500. However, the in-hand salary varies from the monthly salary. This happens because the salary is divided into three specific components- basic salary, allowances, and deductions.
The fixed amount of income that is based on the rank and position of the CDS officer is the basic salary. The grade pay is determined by the basic pay of an officer. Additionally, allowances and other benefits are also part of the CDS Salary. Tax deductions and pension fund contributions are included in salary deductions.
Candidates can check the following formula to calculate CDS Salary:
Basic Pay + Grade Pay + Allowance + Other Benefits = Total Salary (per month).
Pilot Salary in India 2024: Starting Salary, Requirements, Qualifications, Per Month Salary
By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readThe salary of selected candidates who undergo the CDS training period for quite some time is INR 56,100 per month. This is a fixed renumeration that the candidates receive while in the training period. However, this gradually increases once their training period is complete and they join the units.
Candidates need to undergo a three-step recruitment process (written exam, SSB interview, and medical test) to get selected for UPSC CDS. After this they need to complete a mandatory training, upon completion of which they are given the rank of Lieutenant in CDS.
If an officer is chosen by UPSC CDS, they will need to serve a probationary period. Usually, officers are placed on probation for two years, during which they receive training and are evaluated to see whether they are qualified for military duty.
UPSC CDS officers are entitled to a number of allowances and benefits, such as house rent allowance, subsidized food, healthcare for themselves and their families, educational allowances for the kids, travel allowances, and more.
The CDS OTS Salary is INR 56,100 per month. Along with the salary, they also enjoy certain allowances as per the government rule.
The CDS Officer Salary can range between INR 56,100 - INR 1,77,500. This highly depends on the ranks of the candidate in the cadre and their years of service.
There will be an 18-month training period in the IMA, NA, and AFA. The OTA training period will last for 49 weeks.
The CDS salary structure consists of two distinct components: basic pay and grade pay. The amount that is added to an officer's basic pay based on their rank is known as grade pay. Basic pay is the fixed compensation that an officer receives.
The UPSC CDS selection process of the CDS recruitment is done in three stages- the written exam which is conducted offline, the SSB interview, and finally the medical test. Candidates need to pass all three stages in order to join their preferred unit of CDS.
For the Lieutenant position, a CDS officer's base pay is approximately INR 68,000.