Government jobLevel 10 + MSPGroup AGazetted
Army Officer, Permanent Commission (CDS, Indian Military Academy)
थल सेना अधिकारी, स्थायी कमीशन (सीडीएस, आईएमए)
Permanent commission in the Army for graduates through UPSC CDS — 18 months at IMA Dehradun, then Lieutenant.
Indian Army (through the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun) · Ministry of Defence · defence government
- Exam
- UPSC CDS
- Qualification
- Graduate
- Age limit
- 19–24 years
- Transfers
- Anywhere in India
- Work hours
- No fixed hours; you are on duty whenever your unit is
- Probation
- About 18 months of training at IMA Dehradun
Pay on commissioning / month
₹1,14,560
| Basic pay (Level 10) | ₹56,100 |
| Military Service Pay | ₹15,500 |
| Dearness Allowance (60%) | ₹42,960 |
Before income tax. Transport allowance, free rations, dress allowance and field, flying or other risk allowances are extra, and married or single accommodation is normally provided in place of HRA. There is no NPS deduction; pension is under defence rules. Rates as of January 2026.
Gentlemen cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month for the whole of their training at IMA.
What you will actually do
- Commanding a platoon of 30–40 soldiers in an infantry, armoured, artillery, engineers or other unit
- Planning and conducting training and field exercises
- Operational duty on the line of control, borders and in counter-insurgency
- Managing weapons, vehicles, stores and accounts of the sub-unit
- Looking after soldiers' discipline, leave and welfare
A typical day
In a unit the day starts with physical training with your men at dawn, then weapons or tactical training, vehicle and equipment maintenance, and office work on the endless returns an army runs on. Evenings are games with the troops and time in the officers' mess. In a field area all of that gives way to patrols, ambushes and manning posts for days at a stretch. A young officer is expected to be present wherever his soldiers are.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Army Officer, Permanent Commission (CDS, Indian Military Academy) (joining)
Level 10 + MSP
Captain
2 years, time-scale · via dpc
Major
6 years, time-scale · Level 11 · via dpc
₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand
Lieutenant Colonel
13 years, time-scale · via dpc
Colonel and above
By selection, from about 15–18 years; many officers do not get selected · Level 13 · via dpc
₹1,66,000–₹1,87,000 in-hand
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Union Public Service Commission
- 1.Written examination (English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks each)
- 2.SSB interview (intelligence and personality test, about five days)
- 3.Medical examination
- 4.Merit list
Eligibility: Degree of a recognised university or equivalent. Final-year students can apply. Open to unmarried men only. Age 19–24. No category-based age relaxation. Candidates must be unmarried and must not marry during training.
Physical standards: Army medical standards for height, weight, chest, eyesight and general fitness, checked by a medical board after the SSB.
The good
- Permanent commission with pension
- Command of troops in your early twenties
- Structured career with courses and time-scale promotions up to Lieutenant Colonel
The hard parts
- Field postings mean long separation from family
- Selection for Colonel and above is steep
- Real risk to life in operational areas
Postings
Units rotate between field areas (Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the North-East, deserts) and peace stations every two to three years, with courses and staff or instructor postings in between.
Questions people ask
What is the salary of Army Officer, Permanent Commission (CDS, Indian Military Academy)?+
On commissioning, pay is fixed at the start of Level 10: basic pay ₹56,100 plus Military Service Pay of ₹15,500. With dearness allowance at 60% (January 2026) that comes to about ₹1,15,000 a month, before transport, field, flying and other allowances. Cadets get a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month during training at the service academy.
What is the qualification and age limit for Army Officer, Permanent Commission (CDS, Indian Military Academy)?+
Degree of a recognised university or equivalent. Final-year students can apply. Open to unmarried men only. Age: 19–24 years. Relaxation: No category-based age relaxation. Candidates must be unmarried and must not marry during training.
Which exam do I need to clear for Army Officer, Permanent Commission (CDS, Indian Military Academy)?+
UPSC CDS (Union Public Service Commission).
Can women apply through this entry?+
No. The IMA entry through CDS is for unmarried men. Women graduates can apply for the Officers' Training Academy entry.
Compare with similar posts
Army Officer, Short Service Commission (CDS, Officers' Training Academy)
थल सेना अधिकारी, अल्प सेवा कमीशन (सीडीएस, ओटीए)
Short service commission in the Army for graduates through UPSC CDS — 10 years of service, extendable to 14.
Defence Officer through NDA (Army, Navy, Air Force)
एनडीए के माध्यम से रक्षा अधिकारी (थल सेना, नौसेना, वायु सेना)
Officer entry after Class 12 through UPSC NDA — three years at the academy, a degree, then a commission as an officer.
Assistant Commandant (CAPF)
सहायक कमांडेंट (केंद्रीय सशस्त्र पुलिस बल)
Group A gazetted officer via the UPSC CAPF exam — commanding a company in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP or SSB.
Sources
- UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026 notice (official PDF)
- Join Indian Army — official portal
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.