CDS Exam Guide 2026
CDS 2026 notification updates and complete exam guide. Check exam dates, vacancies, eligibility criteria, selection process, syllabus, and application details.
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📊 Salary & Pay Scale Details
- Mode of exam
- Offline
- Stages of exam
- Written Exam SSB Interview (5 days)
- Name of the exam
- CDS exam
- Commonly known as
- CDS examination
- Frequency of exam
- Twice a year
- CDS general salary
- Rs. 56,100 - Rs. 1,77,500 per month
- Conducting authority
- Union Public Service Commission
- CDS salary composition
- Basic pay + grade Pay + allowance + other benefits
- CDS training period salary
- Rs. 56, 100
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Subjects |
|---|
| Most Asked General Knowledge Question in Salary and Job Profile Exam in Past Years - |
| Most Asked General Science Question in Salary and Job Profile Exam in Past Years - |
| Most Asked Quantitative Aptitude Question in Salary and Job Profile Exam in Past Years - |
| Most Asked Logical Reasoning Question in Salary and Job Profile Exam in Past Years - |
| Most Asked Logical Reasoning Question in Salary and Job Profile Exam in Past Years - |
📊 CDS Salary 2026 - Posts Wise Salary
| Sr. No. | Ranks | CDS 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 |
📊 Salary & Pay Scale Details
| 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 | None | 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 |
📊 CDS Perks & Allowances
| Allowance | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification Grant | Employees governed according to the newly proposed Higher Qualification Incentive (HQI) | Order is yet to be issued by MoD |
| Flying Allowance | Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps, i.e., Lieutenant and above rank in level 10 | Rs. 25,000 per month |
| Dearness Allowance | Same conditions as applicable to civilian personnel | Same rate applies to civilian personnel from time to time |
| Kit Maintenance Allowance | Combined with the newly proposed dress | Rs. 20,000 per year |
| Field Area Allowance | Officers posted to Field Areas depending upon rank and area of posting | Lieutenant and above ranks with level 10 and above are eligible for the following allowances: 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 | Officers for Level 10 and above | CAT I - Rs. 3,400 per month CAT II - Rs. 5,300 per month CAT III - Rs. 25,000 per month |
| Siachen Allowance | Candidates posted to Siachen | Rs. 42,500 per month |
| Uniform Allowance | Newly proposed dress allowance | Rs. 20,000 per year |
| Transport Allowance | Varies depending on the city of the officer as per pay level 9 | Higher TPTA cities: Rs. 7200 + DA per month Officers of NDA in Pay Level 14 and above: Rs. 15,750 + DA per month Officers working in level 9 or above: Rs. 3600 + DA per month Physically disabled service personnel: Rs. 2,250/ + Dearness Allowances |
| Children Education Allowance | Allowance is given only for the two eldest children only from Nursery up to Class 12th | Rs. 2250 per month |
| House Rent Allowance | To officers not provided Govt. Accommodation | 10-30% of Basic Pay Pay Band + Grade Pay + MSP |
| Special Forces Allowance | Officers posted in Special Forces | Rs. 1200 / per month |
| Parachute Pay | Officers Posted in Active Parachute BNs/Regt | Rs. 9000/ per month |
| Free Ration | Officers serving in field areas & peace | Entitled to free ration |
📊 Exam Information 6
| Type of Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| 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 Promotion Policy – IMA & 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 Promotion Policy -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 Promotion Policy - 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. |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.How long will be the training period after the UPSC CDS Exam?
The training period in the IMA, NA, and AFA will be 18 months. Similarly, for the OTA, it will be 49 weeks.
Q2.Which all perks and allowances will apply to the CDS officer?
Depending on the post/rank, the candidates will be entitled to various allowances like Dearness Allowances, Kit Maintenance Allowances, Uniform Allowances, Siachen Allowances, etc.
Q3.What is the stipend offered to candidates during training?
During their training period, candidates are entitled to a fixed monthly stipend of INR 56,100.
Q4.What is Military Service Pay (MSP)?
The Military Service Pay (MSP) is an amount given to the officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier, a fixed amount of Rs 15,500 per month.
Q5.What policy is followed for Salary, Stipend, and Allowance given to the CDS Officers?
The officers are given the salary, stipend, and allowances according to the 7th Pay Commission.
Q6.What is the lowest CDS salary?
The starting salary of CDS i.e 56,100 which is given as stipend during the training period is the lowest salary of CDS.
Q7.What is the In hand salary of a CDS Officer?
The in hand salary of a CDS officer for the Lieutenant post is Rs. 68,000/- approximately.
Q8.What is the starting salary of a CDS officer?
The starting salary of a CDS officer varies based on their rank and level of entry. As of 2021, a Lieutenant in the Indian Army earns a starting salary of Rs. 56,100 per month, while a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force and a Sub-Lieutenant in the Indian Navy earn a starting salary of Rs. 56,100 per month and Rs. 56,700 per month, respectively.
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