Indian Army's Salary Structure, Pay Scale, and Allowances

Every year, the Indian Army issues notification for hundreds of openings, and thousands of people apply. Candidates who secure a position in the Indian Army enjoy the Indian Army salary as well as the privileges that come with it, in addition to the pride of defending the country from external threats. With approximately 10 lakh active troops and nine hundred thousand men in reserve, the Indian Army is one of the world's largest armies. The Indian Army Salary might help you safeguard your financial future. The salaries of Indian Army officers at various levels are detailed in this article.

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Regardless of the position, all recruits must go through training. The stipend ranges from ₹15000 to ₹ 21000, depending on the rank of the trainee.

Also Read: Indian Navy Salary - Indian Navy Jobs and Their Salaries

Indian Army Ranks and Salaries

The salary of an Indian Army officer depends on their rank and includes a variety of supplementary benefits. Due to the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, there have been alterations in the salaries. The salary scale goes from ₹ 20,700 to ₹ 2,50,000, with a grade pay level ranging from 3 to 18. The table below shows the salaries of Indian Army officers by post.

Besides the income, army commanders receive a slew of other perks, including, free hospitalization, free air/rail travel, canteen privileges, and low-interest loans among others. 

Basic Pay and Grade Pay of the Indian Army

Basic pay and grade pay are two phrases used in any organization, including the Indian Army, to describe the compensation. As a result, understanding the distinction between the two terminologies is critical.

Basic pay in the Indian Army refers to an employee's base salary, which depends on their job title. It typically accounts for 35-50 % of overall compensation, excluding bonuses, allowances, and deductions. It is a predetermined sum.

Indian Army grade pay- Any government employee's grade pay depends on the class, category, and pay band, and it depends on the 7th Pay Commission's guidelines applied to the employee's position. As a result, the Indian Army offers recruits competitive pay packages and other benefits.

Allowances in the Indian Army

Apart from the salaries and House Rent Allowances (HRA), Indian army officers are given other allowances and benefits. The following are a handful of them:-

• Allowances for transportation - ₹ 3,600
• Dearness Allowance (DA) - ₹ 7,200
• For military service (From Lt. Post to Brig) - ₹15,500 
• Uniform Allowances – ₹ 20,000 per year 
• Counterinsurgency – ₹ 6,300
• Allowances for Field Area – ₹10,500
• In Siachen – ₹ 42,500 per month (Parachute Pay – ₹ 1,200, High Altitude Allowances – ₹ 5,300)
• ₹ 9,000 per month for Special Forces
• ₹ 25,000 for flying pay
• Casual Leave of 20 Days Encashable Leave of up to 300 Days of Last Pay Drawn Study Leave of up to 2 years with Full Pay and Benefits
• Pension for Life
• Death, Cumulative Retirement Gratuity, and Foreign Postings: same as civilian personnel.

Also Read: All About 7th Pay Matrix

Aside from the above-mentioned allowances, the Indian Army officers receive several other benefits. Air/rail travel concessions are available, as well as low-interest loans, canteen facilities, and rations.

Rank Wise Structure of the Indian Army

The NDA or CDS exam does not directly recruit all levels. In actuality, only a small percentage of cadets are hired directly, and the remainder is promoted after a period of training. Non-Commissioned Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, and Commissioned Officers are the three classifications for these ranks.

Further ranks of the army with stipends can be classified as

Rifleman or Sepoy

In the wage matrix, the sepoy is ranked third. Without any allowances, the beginning wage for a sepoy is ₹ 21,700. After 19 years of service or 42 years of age, whichever comes first, the employee is eligible for retirement.

Lance Naik

The rank of sepoy is advanced to lance naik, although there are few differences between the two positions. The retirement age is set at 24 years of service or 49 years of age, whichever comes first.

Naik

Naik has a pay matrix level of 4 with a starting salary of ₹ 25,500 sans allowance. The lance naik is promoted to Naik, and the two chevron arm patches distinguish him. The retirement age is set at 24 years of service or 49 years of age, whichever comes first.

Havildar

Havildar is a Level 5 position in the pay matrix, with a starting salary of ₹ 29,200. After 26 years of service or 42 years of age, you can retire. On the arm patch, there are three rank chevrons, and you can be directly recruited to this position.

Naib Subedar

Naib Subedar is a level 6 position in the pay matrix, with a starting salary of ₹ 35,400. The Havildar gets promoted to this rank after 30 years of service or reaching the age of 52. The shoulder patch on the uniform indicates that this is a JCO position.

Subedar

The pay level is 7, and the beginning salary is ₹ 44,900 other than allowances. This rank is likewise earned by promotion rather than recruitment.

Major Subedar

Subedar Major is a pay level 8 position with a starting salary of ₹ 47,600. After 34 years of service or 54 years of age, you can retire.

Captain

Captains are paid at the 10B level, with a base salary of ₹ 61,300. This promotion is open to anyone who has served as a Lieutenant for at least two years.

Lieutenant

The pay level is 10, the minimum salary is ₹ 56,100 without allowances, and the retirement age is 52 years old.

Colonel-in-waiting

Lieutenant Colonel's pay level is 12A, and the minimum wage without allowance is ₹ 1,21,200, according to the pay matrix. The retirement age is 54 years, and after 13 years of service as an officer, you can apply for this position.

General Lieutenant

Lieutenant General's salary scale is ₹ 1,82,200 without allowances, and it is a rank in pay matrix level 15.

Honorary Lieutenant

The minimum wage without allowance is ₹ 56,100, and the pay level is 10. JCOs are given this status in recognition of their contributions. This position is open to both Subedar and Subedar Major.

Colonel

Colonel is paid at level 13 in the pay matrix, with a salary of ₹ 1,30,600 before allowances. The average retirement age is 54 years. After 15 years of service, Lieutenant Colonels are eligible for the promotion.

Brigadier

Brigadier's pay grade is 13A, and the minimum wage without allowance is ₹ 1,39,600. The average retirement age is 56 years.

Major

Major's pay level in the pay matrix is 11, and his salary without allowance is ₹ 69,400. The average retirement age is 52 years. A person who has served as an officer in the Indian army for six years is eligible for the promotion.

General Major

Major General's pay matrix level is 14, and the minimum wage without allowance is ₹ 1,44,200. The retirement age is 58 years.

General

General is paid at level 18 in the pay matrix, with a base salary of ₹ 2,50,000. As Chief of Army Staff, you must retire after three years or when you reach the age of 62.

General of the Army

It is the Indian Army's highest honour. Because the appointment to this office has ceased, it is not a part of the customary rank hierarchy. This position has no retirement age, and they are paid indefinitely, even if they are no longer serving the government.

Conclusion

If you are planning to join the Indian Army then you'll need to understand the wage structure and pay scale for various positions, as well as any supplementary benefits. The above article provides a detailed analysis of the Indian Army's monthly pay, promotions, appraisals, rank-wise structure and salary under various ranks, etc.

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