2023 handbook summarySource checked 29 July 2026
Seventh Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix for Army Officers
The Army Officers Pay Rules, 2017 place officers in specified Defence Pay Matrix levels and vertical cells.
Overview
The Army Officers Pay Rules, 2017 place officers in specified Defence Pay Matrix levels and vertical cells. Basic pay is the amount at the applicable cell. Rank determines the relevant level, while increments, promotions, options, and fixation rules determine movement; a flat percentage is not a substitute (printed pages 77-83; PDF pages 88-94).
What the handbook says
The source says the 2017 pay rules are deemed effective from 1 January 2016 and apply to the listed Army officer categories and trainees. It identifies SRO 17(E), dated 6 July 2017, as the notified Army officer Pay Matrix (printed page 77; PDF page 88).
The Defence Pay Matrix maps levels to vertical cells and separately records matrices for MNS and NCC whole-time officers. The source also maps regular Army, MNS, and NCC officer ranks to their corresponding levels (printed pages 78-83; PDF pages 89-94).
What this means
Determine the officer category and substantive rank first, then identify the notified level and current cell. Movement within a level follows the increment rules; movement between levels follows the applicable promotion, option, and fixation rules. The matrix table alone cannot establish an individual's basic pay (printed pages 83-104; PDF pages 94-115).
Who this applies to
- The source lists regular Army officers, AMC, ADC, RVC, Special List, RCO, SCO, embodied Territorial Army, APS, specified cadets and trainees, NCC, and MNS within the stated 2017 rules context (printed page 77; PDF page 88).
- MNS and NCC officers use their separately prescribed matrices rather than the regular-officer matrix (printed pages 80-82; PDF pages 91-93).
- An officer draws pay in the revised level applicable to the rank held in a substantive capacity, subject to the option provisions in the source (printed pages 83-84; PDF pages 94-95).
Rates and dates
The rules are stated to operate from 1 January 2016 (printed page 77; PDF page 88). The regular Army matrix is identified with SRO 17(E), 6 July 2017 (printed page 77; PDF page 88), while the MNS rules are identified with SRO 21(E), 14 July 2017 (printed page 80; PDF page 91).
The complete matrix is not reproduced here. Every cell amount is a historical snapshot in the 2023 handbook and requires source and amendment review before use in a public calculator.
What you may need
- the commission, substantive-rank, promotion, or upgradation order;
- officer category and the corresponding notified Pay Matrix;
- any written option and undertaking required by the applicable pay rules (printed pages 83-85; PDF pages 94-96).
Authorities and source references
- Army Officers Pay Rules, 2017 (printed page 77; PDF page 88)
- SRO 17(E), 6 July 2017 (printed page 77; PDF page 88)
- MoD Resolution No. 1(6)/2016/D(Pay/Services), 22 June 2017 (printed page 80; PDF page 91)
- MNS Pay Rules, 2017, and SRO 21(E), 14 July 2017, where applicable (printed page 80; PDF page 91)
- GoI, MoD letter No. 4/43/2017-D(GS-VI)/2018, 16 October 2018, for NCC officers (printed pages 77 and 82; PDF pages 88 and 93)
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.