Army Officer, Permanent Commission vs Defence Officer through NDA
Side by side on pay, work, transfers and growth — so you can rank your preferences with confidence.
Pay level
Level 10 + MSPLevel 10 + MSP
Starting in-hand
₹1,15,000 pay + allowances₹1,15,000 pay + allowances
Group
Group A (Gazetted)Group A (Gazetted)
Exam
UPSC CDSUPSC NDA
Qualification
Graduate12th pass
Age limit
19–2416–19
Field work
highhigh
Stress (1–5)
44
Transfers
all indiaall india
First promotion
Captain (2 years, time-scale)Captain (2 years, time-scale)
Choose Army Officer, Permanent Commission if…
- ✓ Permanent commission with pension
- ✓ Command of troops in your early twenties
- ✓ Structured career with courses and time-scale promotions up to Lieutenant Colonel
Choose Defence Officer through NDA if…
- ✓ Become an officer by about 22 with a degree and no fees
- ✓ Early responsibility for people and equipment
- ✓ Pay, housing and medical cover from the day of commissioning