Indian Navy / Army / Air Force offers a tremendous amount of opportunities at very young age.
The Defence Officers are entitled to fairly decent salary ranges, with variations based on their ranks and other factors presumably:
| Army / Navy / Air Force Post | Pay Band | Grade Pay | Military Service Pay |
| Lieutenant / Sub Lieutenant / Flying Officer | 15600-39100 | 5400 | 6000 |
| Capt / Lieutenant / Flight Lieutenant | 15600-39100 | 6100 | 6000 |
| Major / Lieutenant Commander / Squadron Leader | 15600-39100 | 6600 | 6000 |
| Lt. Col / Commander / Wing Commander | 15600-39100 | 7600 | 6000 |
| Colonel / Captain / Group Captain | 37400-67000 | 8700 | 6000 |
| Brigadier / Commodore / Air Commodore | 37400-67000 | 8900 | 6000 |
| Major Gen / Rear Admiral / Air Vice Marshal | 37400-67000 | 10000 | Nil* |
| Lt Gen / Vice Admiral / Air Marshal | 37400-67000 | 12000 | Nil |
| General / Admiral / Air Chief Marshal | 80000(Fixed) | Nil | Nil |
Indian Navy / Army / Air Force Perks and Benefits
Asides from the highly lucrative pay band scales along with grade pays etc, the Indian Navy / Army / Air Force officers are very rightfully rewarded with great perks
- Canteen facilities
- Furnished government accommodation (Desirable Locations)
- Free ration
- Free medical facilities for family as well
- Up to 300 days leave encashment
- Sports facilities
- Clubs
- Mess
- 60 days leave per year
- Group insurance
- 20 days casual leave
- Pension benefits
Allowances in Indian Navy
Allowances ranging from INR 400 per month to as high as INR 14000 a month are given to Officers belonging to varying ranks.
Merchant Navy – Salary
In Merchant Navy, the salary can range from anywhere between Rs.12000 to Rs.8 lakhs per month though the pay structure differs from company to company, city to city, the export-import needs, seniority etc. All crew members and officers are given free meals on board and senior officers can take along their wives for the voyage.
A Junior Engineer on a ship can earn around Rs. 30,000 per month with free boarding and lodging while signed on board the vessel. The next level is of Second Engineer and finally, Chief Engineer on a ship. As you keep getting promoted, your salary increases substantially. A Chief Engineer at sea earns Rs. 1.5 lakhs per month or more net of taxes. It takes about 6-7 years for a Junior Engineer Officer to get promoted to the rank of Chief Engineer, depending on individual capabilities and job opportunities available.
A Third Officer’s salary is around Rs. 50,000 per month plus free boarding and lodging while on board.Next levels in increasing order of seniority are Second Officer, a Chief Officer and Captain of a ship. A Captain’s pay package is Rs. 2 lakhs per month or more net of taxes. It takes about 8 years for a Third Officer to get promoted to the rank of Captain, depending on individual capabilities and the job opportunities available.
Besides this, imported liquor, cigarettes, canned foods, cosmetics are available on board duty-free. They are also entitled to four month leave every year. The interesting fact is that there is no income tax return imposed on the earnings of a merchant navy professional.
Life in merchant navy can be adventurous for all those with wanderlust. The long periods of solitude notwithstanding, the opportunity to see the world and get paid while doing so, just cannot be argued with.
