Study Guides/General Knowledge/Para Commando Salary in Indian Army
Study Guide · General Knowledge

Para Commando Salary — Indian Army Special Forces Pay Structure

Para Commandos are the elite special forces soldiers of the Indian Army, belonging to the Parachute Regiment's Special Forces (Para SF) battalions. They receive a higher salary than regular infantry soldiers due to special allowances for their high-risk roles. Their pay is structured under the 7th Pay Commission.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the salary of a Para Commando in India?

Answer

A Para Commando's estimated total in-hand salary ranges from approximately Rs 32,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per month depending on rank and allowances. At the Sepoy (soldier) level, the basic pay is Rs 21,700 plus Para allowance of Rs 17,300 and other allowances. Higher ranks like Subedar earn Rs 70,000–90,000 per month.

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Key Facts

Para Commandos are elite special forces of the Indian Army — part of the Parachute Regiment.

Base pay starts from Rs 21,700/month for Sepoy (7th Pay Commission).

Para Allowance for qualified paratroopers: Rs 17,300 per month.

Estimated total salary: Rs 32,000 to Rs 1,00,000+ depending on rank and allowances.

Additional benefits: free accommodation, medical care, pension, LTC, CSD.

Para SF selection requires volunteering after joining the regular Indian Army.

Para Commando Salary Structure

Para Commandos receive regular army pay plus additional special allowances:

  1. Basic Pay (7th Pay Commission): • Sepoy (Soldier): Rs 21,700 per month (Level 3) • Naik (Lance Corporal): Rs 25,500 per month • Havildar (Sergeant): Rs 29,200 per month • Naib Subedar (Junior Commissioned Officer): Rs 35,400 per month • Subedar: Rs 44,900 per month

  2. Para Allowance: • For qualified paratroopers who have completed parachute training: Rs 17,300 per month

  3. Other Allowances: • Military Service Pay: Rs 5,200 per month (for JCOs and ORs) • High Altitude Allowance (if posted): Rs 3,400–25,000 per month • Special Forces Allowance (for Para SF battalions) • Ration allowance, transport allowance, uniform allowance

Estimated Total Monthly Salary

Estimated total in-hand monthly salary (approx.):

Rank | Approximate Monthly Salary Sepoy (Para) | Rs 32,000 – Rs 45,000 Naik | Rs 38,000 – Rs 52,000 Havildar | Rs 48,000 – Rs 65,000 Naib Subedar | Rs 58,000 – Rs 75,000 Subedar | Rs 70,000 – Rs 90,000 Subedar Major | Rs 80,000 – Rs 1,00,000+

Note: These are approximate figures including allowances. Actual salary varies based on posting location, years of service, and specific unit.

Additional Benefits

In addition to salary, Para Commandos receive:

• Free accommodation (government quarters or HRA) • Free medical treatment for self and family (ECHS — Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) • Leave Travel Concession (LTC) • Pension after retirement (minimum 15–20 years of service) • Group Insurance (AGIF — Army Group Insurance Fund) • Canteen facilities (CSD — Canteen Stores Department) at subsidized rates • Education allowance for children • 30 days annual leave + other leave entitlements

How to Become a Para Commando

To join Para SF (Para Commando):

  1. Join the Indian Army first (through NDA, CDS, or direct soldier recruitment)
  2. Serve in any regiment/corps for some time
  3. Volunteer for Para (Special Forces) battalions
  4. Clear the rigorous selection process: — Physical fitness tests — Psychological evaluation — Medical standards (higher than regular army)
  5. Complete parachute training at the Agra Parachute Training School
  6. Complete special forces induction training

Questions and Answers

What is the salary of a Para Commando in India?+

A Para Commando's estimated total in-hand salary ranges from approximately Rs 32,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per month depending on rank and allowances. At the Sepoy (soldier) level, the basic pay is Rs 21,700 plus Para allowance of Rs 17,300 and other allowances. Higher ranks like Subedar earn Rs 70,000–90,000 per month.

What is the Para allowance in the Indian Army?+

Para Allowance is an additional allowance paid to Indian Army soldiers who have qualified as paratroopers (completed parachute training). It amounts to Rs 17,300 per month as per the 7th Pay Commission.

How do you become a Para Commando?+

To become a Para Commando: (1) First join the Indian Army through NDA, CDS, or direct soldier recruitment. (2) Volunteer for Para SF battalions. (3) Clear the rigorous selection tests (physical, psychological, medical). (4) Complete parachute training at Agra. (5) Complete special forces induction training.

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