Quick Answer: A Para SF sepoy (Pay Level 3) gets a basic pay of ₹21,700, and with the Special Forces Allowance of about ₹21,625, his gross pay comes to around ₹67,500, which leaves roughly ₹63,000 in-hand per month. A Para SF Captain (Level 10B) earns about ₹1.6 lakh gross and around ₹1.35 lakh in-hand.
The Para SF salary is one of the highest among Indian Army soldiers of the same rank. The basic pay is the same as any other soldier under the 7th Pay Commission. The difference comes from the Special Forces Allowance, which only Para (Special Forces) commandos get. This allowance adds more than ₹21,000 a month for a jawan and over ₹31,000 a month for an officer.
This guide covers the Para SF salary per month for every rank, a line-by-line in-hand calculation, all allowances, career growth, and how Para SF pay compares with MARCOS, regular infantry and other forces.
Note: All figures are based on the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix and official Ministry of Defence allowance rules. They use the currently notified DA of 60%. Figures may change with future DA revisions.
Para SF Salary Overview
| Detail | Para SF Jawan (Sepoy) | Para SF Officer (Captain) |
|---|---|---|
| Force | Indian Army – Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) | Indian Army – Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) |
| Pay Level | Level 3 | Level 10B |
| Basic Pay | ₹21,700 | ₹61,300 |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹5,200 | ₹15,500 |
| Special Forces Allowance | ₹21,625 | ₹31,250 |
| Gross Salary (approx.) | ₹67,500 | ₹1,60,000 |
| In-Hand Salary (approx.) | ₹63,000 | ₹1,35,000 |
| Annual Package (approx.) | ₹8.1 lakh | ₹19.2 lakh |
These figures are for a peace posting. When a Para SF unit is deployed in J&K, the North-East or a high-altitude area, field, counter-insurgency or high-altitude allowances are added. The monthly pay can then go much higher.
Para SF Pay Scale & Pay Level (7th Pay Commission)
Para SF is not a separate cadre with its own pay scale. A commando keeps the pay level of his rank in the Indian Army and gets the extra Special Forces Allowance on top of it.
| Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay Range (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Sepoy | Level 3 | 21,700 – 69,100 |
| Naik | Level 4 | 25,500 – 81,100 |
| Havildar | Level 5 | 29,200 – 92,300 |
| Naib Subedar | Level 6 | 35,400 – 1,12,400 |
| Subedar | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 |
| Subedar Major | Level 8 | 47,600 – 1,51,100 |
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
Basic pay rises by 3% every year through the annual increment. So a sepoy with 5–6 years of service earns noticeably more than a fresh one.
Para SF Salary Per Month – In-Hand Calculation
In the armed forces, DA is calculated on basic pay + MSP, not on basic pay alone. This is why defence salaries are higher than civilian posts at the same pay level.
Para SF Sepoy (Level 3) – Monthly Salary
| Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 21,700 |
| Military Service Pay | 5,200 |
| DA @ 60% of (Basic + MSP) | 16,140 |
| Special Forces Allowance | 21,625 |
| Transport Allowance (₹1,800 + DA) | 2,880 |
| Gross Salary | 67,545 |
| AFPP Fund (approx. 6% of Basic + MSP) | – 1,614 |
| Army Group Insurance (approx.) | – 2,500 |
| Income Tax | Nil (income below ₹12 lakh rebate limit) |
| In-Hand Salary (approx.) | ₹63,400 |
Para SF Captain (Level 10B) – Monthly Salary
| Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 61,300 |
| Military Service Pay | 15,500 |
| DA @ 60% of (Basic + MSP) | 46,080 |
| Special Forces Allowance | 31,250 |
| Transport Allowance (₹3,600 + DA) | 5,760 |
| Gross Salary | 1,59,890 |
| AFPP Fund (approx.) | – 4,600 |
| Army Group Insurance (approx.) | – 5,000 |
| Income Tax (new regime, approx.) | – 14,500 |
| In-Hand Salary (approx.) | ₹1,35,700 |
Important points:
- Para SF personnel come under the old pension scheme, not NPS. There is no 10% NPS deduction, so in-hand pay is higher than for civilian central employees.
- Soldiers living in government accommodation do not get HRA. If they are not given quarters, they get HRA at 30%, 20% or 10% of basic pay, depending on the city.
- AFPP subscription and insurance amounts vary by rank and personal choice. Treat these deductions as approximate.
Rank-Wise Para SF Salary Per Month
The table below shows the approximate gross pay at the starting basic of each rank, in a peace posting, with DA at 60%.
| Rank | Basic Pay (₹) | SF Allowance (₹) | Approx. Gross (₹) | Approx. In-Hand (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sepoy | 21,700 | 21,625 | 67,500 | 63,000 |
| Naik | 25,500 | 21,625 | 73,600 | 69,000 |
| Havildar | 29,200 | 21,625 | 79,500 | 74,500 |
| Naib Subedar | 35,400 | 21,625 | 89,500 | 83,500 |
| Subedar | 44,900 | 21,625 | 1,04,700 | 96,000 |
| Subedar Major | 47,600 | 21,625 | 1,09,000 | 1,00,000 |
| Lieutenant | 56,100 | 31,250 | 1,51,000 | 1,29,000 |
| Captain | 61,300 | 31,250 | 1,59,900 | 1,35,500 |
| Major | 69,400 | 31,250 | 1,72,900 | 1,45,000 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 1,21,200 | 31,250 | 2,55,700 | 2,05,000 |
| Colonel | 1,30,600 | 31,250 | 2,70,800 | 2,15,000 |
Field, high-altitude or counter-insurgency allowances are not included above. Add them when the unit is operationally deployed.
Allowances & Benefits for Para SF Commandos
Special Forces Allowance
This is the biggest reason the Para SF salary is higher. The 7th Pay Commission placed it in the top risk-and-hardship category, at ₹25,000 for officers and ₹17,300 for JCOs/ORs. These rates rise by 25% once DA crosses 50%, so the current rates are about:
| Category | Original 7th CPC Rate | Current Rate (after 25% revision) |
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ₹25,000 | ₹31,250 |
| JCOs & Other Ranks | ₹17,300 | ₹21,625 |
Para SF vs Para Allowance
Many people mix these two up. Soldiers in regular Para (Airborne) battalions get a Para Allowance, which is much smaller. Only soldiers who have passed SF probation and serve in a Para SF battalion get the Special Forces Allowance.
Other Allowances
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹5,200 for JCOs/ORs and ₹15,500 for officers (up to Brigadier)
- Dearness Allowance: currently 60% of basic + MSP. A rise to 63% from July 2026 is expected and is awaiting Cabinet approval.
- Field Area / Counter-Insurgency Allowance: paid during deployment in field and CI areas, at rates that depend on the area
- High Altitude Allowance: paid during postings in high-altitude areas, at rates that depend on the altitude category
- Siachen Allowance: the highest hardship allowance, paid for Siachen deployment
- Transport Allowance, Kit Maintenance Allowance, Children Education Allowance
- Free ration, CSD canteen facility and subsidised accommodation
Non-Cash Benefits
- Old pension scheme with pension after retirement (for regular soldiers and officers)
- Free medical care for self and family, and ECHS after retirement
- 60 days of annual leave and 20 days of casual leave per year
- Concessional rail travel (LTC and warrant)
- Army Group Insurance cover and education concessions for children
- Training and exercises with foreign special forces
Does Para SF Salary Differ by State?
No. Para SF is a central force, so basic pay, MSP, DA and the Special Forces Allowance are the same everywhere in India. Only a few things change with the posting:
| Component | Varies By | Example |
|---|---|---|
| HRA (if no quarters) | City class X / Y / Z | 30% / 20% / 10% of basic |
| Transport Allowance | Big cities vs other cities | Higher in metro cities |
| Field / HAA / CI Allowance | Operational area | J&K, Ladakh, North-East postings pay more |
This means a Para SF sepoy posted in Ladakh or Kashmir will take home more than one at a peace station, even though their basic pay is the same.
Salary After Promotion – Career Growth in Para SF
Promotions in Para SF follow normal Indian Army timelines, and the SF allowance continues at every rank.
| Rank | Typical Service Period | Approx. Gross Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Sepoy | Entry | 67,500 |
| Naik | 5–8 years | 73,600 |
| Havildar | 10–12 years | 79,500 |
| Naib Subedar (JCO) | 18–22 years | 89,500 |
| Subedar | 22–26 years | 1,04,700 |
| Subedar Major | 26+ years | 1,09,000 |
| Officer Rank | Typical Service | Approx. Gross Pay (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Entry | 1,51,000 |
| Captain | 2 years | 1,59,900 |
| Major | 6 years | 1,72,900 |
| Lt Colonel | 13 years | 2,55,700 |
| Colonel (CO of a battalion) | 15+ years, by selection | 2,70,800 |
Most officers serve in Para SF on tenure. Many go back to their parent units or to staff appointments later. While they serve outside an SF unit, the SF allowance stops.
Note for Agniveers
Since 2022, new soldiers join through the Agnipath scheme. An Agniveer gets a fixed package that starts at ₹30,000 a month in year 1 (30% goes to the Seva Nidhi corpus) and rises every year. Risk and hardship allowances are given as applicable to regular soldiers. The full Level 3 pay structure described above applies once an Agniveer is retained as a regular soldier.
Para SF Job Profile & Duties
Para SF battalions are the Indian Army’s main special operations units. Their main tasks include:
- Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations
- Surgical and cross-border strikes
- Hostage rescue and direct action raids
- Deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines
- Airborne insertion by parachute, including free-fall
- Training with friendly foreign special forces
Commandos wear the maroon beret and the Balidan badge, which they earn only after completing probation.
Para SF Eligibility & Selection Process
There is no direct civilian recruitment into Para SF. You first join the Indian Army, then volunteer.
- Join the Army. Soldiers join through the Agniveer rally. Officers join through NDA, CDS, OTA or other entries.
- Volunteer for Para. Soldiers and officers volunteer for the Parachute Regiment.
- Probation. You go through a gruelling SF probation of around 90 days, which tests physical endurance, mental toughness and combat skills. Many candidates drop out.
- Basic Parachute Course. You complete parachute jumps at the Paratroopers Training School in Agra.
- Earn the beret. Those who pass join a Para SF battalion and start drawing the Special Forces Allowance.
Para SF Salary vs Similar Posts
| Post | Approx. Gross Salary (entry, ₹/month) | Key Extra Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Para SF Sepoy | 67,500 | Special Forces Allowance |
| Regular Infantry Sepoy | 46,000 | None (only posting-based) |
| Para (Airborne) Sepoy | 55,000 – 57,000 | Para Allowance |
| MARCOS Sailor (Navy) | 65,000 – 70,000 | Marine commando / SF allowance |
| Garud Airman (IAF) | 60,000 – 68,000 | Special forces-type allowance |
| SSC GD Constable (CAPF) | 40,000 – 45,000 | Risk & hardship by posting |
Figures for other forces are approximate and vary with rank, posting and allowance rules. In short, a Para SF commando earns about ₹20,000 more per month than a regular infantry soldier of the same rank.
FAQs
What is the salary of a Para SF commando per month?
A Para SF sepoy gets around ₹67,500 gross and about ₹63,000 in-hand per month. An officer at Captain rank earns about ₹1.6 lakh gross and ₹1.35 lakh in-hand.
How much is the Special Forces Allowance in the Indian Army?
It is ₹31,250 per month for officers and ₹21,625 per month for JCOs and other ranks. These are the 7th Pay Commission rates of ₹25,000 and ₹17,300 after the 25% revision.
Para SF ki salary kitni hoti hai?
Para SF jawan ki in-hand salary lagbhag ₹63,000 mahina hoti hai. Officer ki in-hand salary ₹1.3 lakh se shuru hoti hai, aur rank badhne par aur badhti hai.
Do Para SF and Para soldiers get the same salary?
No. Both have the same basic pay for the same rank. However, Para SF soldiers get the much higher Special Forces Allowance, while regular Para (Airborne) soldiers get a smaller Para Allowance.
What is the salary of a Para SF officer?
A Lieutenant in Para SF earns about ₹1.51 lakh gross per month. A Major earns around ₹1.73 lakh, and a Colonel earns over ₹2.7 lakh gross.
Do Para SF commandos get a pension?
Yes. Regular soldiers and officers of the armed forces are still under the old pension scheme. Agniveers do not get a pension but receive the Seva Nidhi package at exit.
Will the 8th Pay Commission increase Para SF salary?
Yes. Once the 8th Pay Commission recommendations are accepted and implemented, basic pay will be revised for all ranks, and allowances are likely to be reviewed too. Final figures will be known only after the government notifies them.
Is Para SF salary tax-free?
No. Para SF salary is taxable, but most jawans pay no tax because their annual income falls within the rebate limit under the new tax regime. Officers pay income tax on their salary.
Final Thoughts
The Para SF salary is high because of the Special Forces Allowance, not a separate pay scale. A fresh commando takes home around ₹63,000 a month, and officers start at about ₹1.3 lakh in-hand. With the July 2026 DA hike and the 8th Pay Commission ahead, these figures will rise further. For most commandos, though, the maroon beret means more than the money.
Also read Black Commando Salary 2026: NSG Pay Scale, Allowances & In-Hand Pay
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