2023 handbook summarySource checked 29 July 2026
Dress Allowance for Army Officers
Dress Allowance replaced specified uniform-related allowances from 1 July 2017.
Overview
Dress Allowance replaced specified uniform-related allowances from 1 July 2017. The 2023 handbook says it covers an officer's basic uniform and is credited annually in July, while special clothing for particular duties remains governed separately. The recorded rates and recovery rules are historical and must be checked against later orders.
What the handbook says
The handbook says uniform outfit and kit maintenance allowances were subsumed into Dress Allowance for Army and MNS officers. It limits the allowance to basic uniform and leaves special clothing supplied for particular duties under existing norms (source: printed p. 160; PDF p. 171).
What this means
The annual payment concerns basic uniform needs. It should not be interpreted as replacing every separately supplied special-clothing item or as authorising reimbursement for an unlisted uniform change.
Who this applies to
- The source covers Army officers, including MNS officers, at different annual rates (source: printed p. 160; PDF p. 171).
- Special clothing for particular duties remains separately governed (source: printed p. 160; PDF p. 171).
- The source says the governing order is silent on reimbursement for a change of uniform caused by a change of regiment or corps (source: printed p. 161; PDF p. 172).
Rates and dates
- Army officers: Rs.20,000 per year.
- MNS officers: Rs.15,000 per year.
The rates apply from 1 July 2017, and the source says they rise by 25 percent each time Dearness Allowance rises by 50 percent (source: printed p. 160; PDF p. 171). No later rate is inferred.
Recovery and effective date
The handbook describes percentage recovery based on the quarter of retirement or voluntary retirement/resignation, with no recovery for death or invalidment for causes beyond the officer's control. Those recovery rules apply from 1 March 2021 (source: printed p. 160; PDF p. 171). The detailed table is not reproduced.
What you may need
The cited pages do not specify a routine claim document because the source describes annual salary credit. Retirement, voluntary retirement, resignation, death, or invalidment records may affect recovery and must be verified by the pay authority.
Authorities and source references
- MoD letter No. PC-1(16)/2017/D(Pay/Services), 16 November 2017.
- MoD, DMA letter No. 1(4)2019/D(Pay/Services), 1 March 2021.
Related guidance
About this guidance
This is a plain-language summary for general information. It is not an official order or an authority for a claim. Confirm the applicable order and your individual eligibility with the competent authority or PCDA(O) before acting.