CDS Salary 2023, Check Job Profile, Allowances & Benefits

CDS Salary

CDS Salary – The salary for a CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) in 2023 varies depending on several factors such as experience, qualifications, and the country of employment. As the highest-ranking military officer responsible for overseeing and coordinating the armed forces, the CDS holds a crucial role in strategic decision-making and defense operations.

Besides a competitive salary, the job profile of a CDS involves significant responsibilities, including formulating military strategies, advising government officials, and maintaining effective communication between branches of the armed forces. Additionally, CDS positions often come with various allowances and benefits, such as housing, medical coverage, and pension schemes, to ensure a comprehensive package for those in this esteemed position.

CDS 2 2023 Notification Out

CDS Salary – Overview

In 2023, the salary of CDS officers is determined by their rank, with higher ranks corresponding to higher salaries. The salary structure includes allowances and pay based on the officer’s place of posting. CDS officers enjoy an appealing compensation package that encompasses various benefits such as housing, health insurance, and travel reimbursements. Upon retirement, they receive pensions and other retirement benefits. The competitive salary and comprehensive benefits make a career as a CDS officer highly attractive due to the officer’s esteemed position and significant responsibilities.

Name of the exam	CDS exam
Official website	upsc.gov.in
Commonly known as	CDS examination
Conducting authority	Union Public Service Commission
Frequency of exam	Twice a year
CDS 2023 basic salary	Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 per month
CDS salary composition	Basic pay + grade Pay + allowance + other benefits
Mode of exam	Offline
Stages of exam	Written Exam SSB Interview (5 days)

CDS Salary – Salary Payscale

During their training at the academies, gentlemen and ladies cadets receive a monthly stipend of Rs 56,100. It’s important to note that this period is not considered as commissioned service. Once successfully commissioned, CDS officers receive a salary in the level 10 pay matrix, along with arrears based on their pay matrix from the training period.

The table below provides information on CDS salary/grade pay, approximate in-hand salary for different posts, and the corresponding pay matrix level as per the latest 7th Pay Commission. Officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier receive a fixed amount of Rs 15,500 per month as Military Service Pay (MSP).

Please bear in mind that the given data can vary depending on factors like posting location, experience, and other considerations. The figures mentioned correspond to army ranks, but they remain equivalent for ranks in the air force and navy.

Sr. No.	Ranks	Pay Scale	In-hand Salary (Approximate)	Pay Matrix Level
1	Lieutenant	Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/-	Rs. 68,000/-	Level 10
2	Captain	Rs. 61,300 – 1,93,900	Rs. 75,000/-	Level 10 B
3	Major	Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200	Rs. 1,00,000/-	Level 11
4	Lieutenant Colonel	Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400	Rs. 1,12,000/-	Level 12 A
5	Colonel	Rs. 1,30,600 – 2,15,900	Rs. 1,30,000/-	Level 13
6	Brigadier	Rs. 1,39,600 – 2,17,600	Rs. 2,00,000/-	Level 13 A
7	Major General	Rs. 1,44,200 – 2,18,200	Rs. 2,50,000 -3,50,000/-	Level 14
8	Lieutenant General	Rs. 1,82,200 – 2,24,100	–	Level 15
9	HAG + Scale	Rs. 2,05,400 – 2,24,400	–	Level 16
10	VCOAS/ Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG)	Rs. 2,25,000 (fixed)	–	Level 17
11	COAS	Rs. 2,50,000 (fixed)	–	Level 18

CDS Salary – Training Period Stipend

• The CDS starting salary refers to the stipend received by CDS Cadets during their training period.
• For Level 10, the CDS starting salary is Rs 56,100, which is the same as the stipend provided to cadets during training.
• The duration of the CDS training period varies depending on the academy: 18 months for the Indian Military Academy/Indian Navy Academy/Air Force Academy and 49 weeks for the Officers’ Training Academy.
• Army Officers and their equivalent counterparts in the Navy and Air Force receive a fixed CDS starting salary/stipend of Rs 56,100 per month.
• The purpose of the CDS starting salary is to cover the cadets’ expenses during training and is not their final salary as CDS officers.
• After completing their training, CDS officers receive various benefits, allowances, and a salary based on their rank and position.
• It’s worth noting that CDS officers enjoy an attractive salary package, and the starting salary is just the beginning of their successful career in the Indian Defence Services.

CDS Salary – Perks and Allowances

• Defence force personnel are eligible for various allowances and benefits. Here are some of the allowances to consider:
• Qualification Grant: The Higher Qualification Incentive (HQI) is yet to be issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Flying Allowance: Army Aviators (Pilots) in the Army Aviation Corps, from Lieutenant rank and above in level 10, receive Rs. 25,000 per month.
• Dearness Allowance: Applies to defence personnel as it does to civilian personnel, with rates subject to change.
• Kit Maintenance Allowance: Combined with the proposed dress, the allowance is Rs. 20,000 per year.
• Field Area Allowance: Officers posted to Field Areas receive Field Area Allowances based on their rank and posting location. For Lieutenant rank and above in level 10 and above:
  • Highly 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: Varies for officers in Level 10 and above based on the following categories:
  • CAT I: Rs. 3,400 per month.
  • CAT II: Rs. 5,300 per month.
  • CAT III: Rs. 25,000 per month.
• Siachen Allowance: Rs. 42,500 per month for candidates posted to Siachen.
• Uniform Allowance: Rs. 20,000 per year for the proposed dress allowance.
• Transport Allowance: Varies based on the officer’s city and pay level.
• Children Education Allowance: Provided for the two eldest children from Nursery up to Class 12th, amounting to Rs. 2,250 per month.
• House Rent Allowance: Officers not provided with government accommodation receive 10-30% of Basic Pay Pay Band + Grade Pay + MSP.
• Special Forces Allowance: Officers posted in Special Forces receive Rs. 1,200 per month.
• Parachute Pay: Officers posted in Active Parachute Battalions/Regiments receive Rs. 9,000 per month.
• Free Ration: Officers serving in field areas and peace are entitled to free ration.
• Note: Some allowances may not be applicable and are subject to factors such as posting location and rank.

CDS Salary – Travel allowance

• When it comes to travel allowance in CDS Salary, candidates should take note of the following instructions:
• Higher TPTA Cities (UA) include Patna, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Surat, Kochi, Bengaluru, Kozhikode, Indore, Nagpur, Pune, Greater Mumbai, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Ghaziabad, and Chennai.
• The travel allowance is applicable for calendar months fully covered by leave.
• TPTA allowance is granted to CDS service personnel who have been provided with government transport facilities.
• Officers in CDS with Pay Level 14 and above, who have the entitlement to use an official car, can choose between availing the official car facility or receiving TPTA of Rs 15,750/+DA thereon.

CDS Salary – Additional Benefits

Type of Benefit	Explanation
Leave and Leave Travel Concession	Officers in the Navy/ Army/ Air Force can get an annual leave of 60 days per year and a casual leave of 20 days per year. Officers of CDS can encash their Annual Leave up to 10 days in addition to the Leave Travel Concession till 60 days in a career span to cover incidental travel expenses.
Other Privileges	Officers and their family members get other benefits like free medical aid, group insurance scheme, accommodation on concessional rent, canteen facilities, group housing scheme, family assistance scheme, etc.

CDS Salary – Job Promotion and Career Growth

To give an better understanding about promotion and career growth. We have curated an table below.

CDS Salary – IMA and INA

Ranks	Time Scale
Lieutenant	After completing training
Captain	2 years of commissioned service
Major	6 years of commissioned service
Lieutenant Colonel	13 years of commissioned service
Colonel (TS)	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 restrictions

CDS Salary – AFA

CDS Rank – AFA	Promotion by Time scale	Basic Pay
Flying Officer	On Commission	Rs. 56,100/-
Flight Lieutenant	2 Years of commissioned service	Rs. 61,200/-
Squadron Leader	6 years of commissioned service	Rs. 69,400/-
Wing Commander	13 years of commissioned service	Rs. 1,16,700/-
Group Captain	26 years of commissioned service	Rs. 1,25,700/-
Air Commodore	–	Rs. 1,34,400/-
Air Vice Marshal	–	Rs. 1,44,200/-
Air Chief Marshal HAG Scale	–	Rs. 1,82,200/-
Air Chief Marshal Apex Scale	–	Rs. 2,05,400/-
Air Chief Marshal	–	Rs. 2,50,000/-

CDS Salary – OTA

CDS Rank – OTA	Promotion by Time scale
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.

We hope this article gave you clear view and understanding on the job profile, allowances and benefits that comes with UPSC CDS position. For more information like this visit oliveboard’s website.

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