What is the salary of Colonel in Indian Army 2026?

A Colonel (Level 13) earns ₹1,30,600 basic pay + ₹15,500 MSP = ₹1,46,100 per month. With DA at 60% (₹87,660), HRA for X-city (₹43,830), and kit maintenance (₹1,800), the gross salary is approximately ₹2,79,390.

What is the in-hand salary of Colonel per month?

For a Colonel at entry pay posted in an X-class city, the approximate in-hand salary is ₹2,64,780 per month after NPS deduction. With field area allowance, it can go up to ₹2,81,680.

What will Colonel salary be after 8th Pay Commission?

Under the projected 8th CPC (1.92× fitment), basic pay rises to approximately ₹2,50,752 and MSP to ₹29,760. DA resets to 0%. Overall in-hand increase is estimated at 20-25%.

What is the equivalent of Army Colonel in Navy and Air Force?

Army Colonel = Navy Captain (Navy) = Air Force Group Captain. All three receive the same pay — Level 13 with ₹15,500 MSP. Only the rank designation differs.

How much does Colonel earn with field area allowance?

With Field Area Allowance (₹16,900/month), a Colonel's in-hand salary increases to approximately ₹2,81,680. In high altitude/Siachen postings, the allowance is ₹25,000/month, pushing in-hand even higher.

What is the pension of a retired Colonel?

Under the CDA pension scheme (pre-2004), pension is 50% of last drawn Basic Pay + MSP. For a Colonel at entry pay, pension would be approximately ₹73,050 per month plus Dearness Relief. Post-2004 Colonels under NPS receive pension based on accumulated corpus.

Colonel Salary 2026 — Indian Army Pay & Allowances

Complete salary breakdown for Colonel (Captain (Navy) / Group Captain) — Pay Level 13, Officer

Entry Pay

₹1,30,600

MSP

₹15,500

Total (Basic+MSP)

₹1,46,100

8th CPC (Est.)

₹2,80,512

Army: Colonel | Navy: Captain (Navy) | Air Force: Group Captain

Sepoy Lance Naik HavildarNaib Subedar SubedarLieutenant Captain Major Lt Colonel Brigadier Major Lt General

Colonel Pay Matrix — All 21 Increments (Level 13)

Cell	Basic Pay (₹)	Basic + MSP	8th CPC (Est.)
1(Entry)	₹1,23,100	₹1,38,600	₹2,66,112
2	₹1,26,800	₹1,42,300	₹2,73,216
3	₹1,30,600	₹1,46,100	₹2,80,512
4	₹1,34,500	₹1,50,000	₹2,88,000
5	₹1,38,500	₹1,54,000	₹2,95,680
6	₹1,42,600	₹1,58,100	₹3,03,552
7	₹1,46,900	₹1,62,400	₹3,11,808
8	₹1,51,300	₹1,66,800	₹3,20,256
9	₹1,55,800	₹1,71,300	₹3,28,896
10	₹1,60,400	₹1,75,900	₹3,37,728
11	₹1,65,200	₹1,80,700	₹3,46,944
12	₹1,70,100	₹1,85,600	₹3,56,352
13	₹1,75,100	₹1,90,600	₹3,65,952
14	₹1,80,300	₹1,95,800	₹3,75,936
15	₹1,85,600	₹2,01,100	₹3,86,112
16	₹1,91,000	₹2,06,500	₹3,96,480
17	₹1,96,600	₹2,12,100	₹4,07,232
18	₹2,02,300	₹2,17,800	₹4,18,176
19	₹2,08,200	₹2,23,700	₹4,29,504
20	₹2,14,200	₹2,29,700	₹4,41,024
21	₹2,15,900	₹2,31,400	₹4,44,288

Each row ≈ 3% annual increment. MSP: ₹15,500 (Officer). View civilian Level 13 →

Colonel In-Hand Salary Calculator

Basic Pay (Cell)

City Category

Field Area

NPS

Earnings

Basic Pay₹1,30,600

MSP₹15,500

DA (60% on Basic+MSP)₹87,660

HRA (X-city)₹43,830

Kit Maintenance₹1,800

Gross₹2,79,390

Deductions

NPS (10%)−₹14,610

Total₹14,610

Net In-Hand (Monthly)

₹2,64,780

8th CPC Projected

₹3,23,240

+22%

DA & HRA calculated on Basic + MSP. Excludes ECHS, income tax, minor deductions. Defence Pay Matrix →

8th CPC Salary Projection for Colonel

Component	7th CPC	8th CPC (Est.)
Basic Pay	₹1,30,600	₹2,50,752
MSP	₹15,500	₹29,760
DA	60% (₹87,660)	0% (reset)
HRA (X-city)	₹43,830	₹67,323
Gross (approx)	₹2,79,390	₹3,51,291
NPS (10%)	₹14,610	₹28,051
Net In-Hand	₹2,64,780	₹3,23,240
Increase		+₹58,460 (+22%)

Entry pay, X-city, NPS deducted. MSP also revised at 1.92×. Learn about fitment factor →

About Colonel in the Indian Army

ColonelCaptain (Navy)Group CaptainOfficer — Level 13

The Colonel is a senior commanding officer who typically serves as a Station Commander, Centre Commandant, or holds key staff appointments at Corps and Command HQ. Colonels command training centres, regimental centres, and serve as Colonels of regiments. In staff roles, they serve as principal staff officers handling operations, intelligence, logistics, and personnel at higher formations.

Entry / Promotion

Merit-based promotion from Lt Colonel via No. 1 Selection Board.

Typical Experience

18-24 years of commissioned service

Promotion

Promoted to Brigadier based on merit — highly selective (approx 30% selection rate)

Next Rank

→ Brigadier

Lt Colonel vs Colonel vs Brigadier — Salary Comparison

Aspect	Lt Colonel	Colonel	Brigadier
Level	12	13	13A
Entry Pay	₹1,21,200	₹1,30,600	₹1,39,600
MSP	₹15,500	₹15,500	₹15,500
Total (Basic+MSP)	₹1,36,700	₹1,46,100	₹1,55,100
In-Hand (X-city)	₹2,47,860	₹2,64,780	₹2,80,980
Category	Officer	Officer	Officer

← Lt Colonel details Brigadier details →

Colonel — Frequently Asked Questions

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Colonel Salary 2026 — Indian Army Pay & Allowances

Colonel Pay Matrix — All 21 Increments (Level 13)

Colonel In-Hand Salary Calculator

Earnings

Deductions

8th CPC Salary Projection for Colonel

About Colonel in the Indian Army

Lt Colonel vs Colonel vs Brigadier — Salary Comparison

Colonel — Frequently Asked Questions

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