How will the new pay scale change armed forces salaries and allowances?
The proposed pay scales for all corps and equivalent ranks in the armed forces may be aligned with Grades 1-18 of the proposed National Pay Scale 2026, covering 17 ranks.
The proposed Armed Forces Pay Scale 2026 will align military ranks with the new national pay grades while introducing different annual increment rates based on rank.
It will also increase several military-specific allowances, including flight, specialist and skill-related payments, while bringing house rent and several other allowances in line with the new national structure.
The changes are part of a broader pay reform that will be implemented in phases.
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Armed forces pay structure
The proposed pay scales for all corps and equivalent ranks in the armed forces may be aligned with Grades 1-18 of the proposed National Pay Scale 2026, covering 17 ranks.
Under the proposed structure, the starting basic salary for non-combatant (enrolled) and equivalent ranks would be Tk21,000, while the fixed salary for major general and equivalent ranks would be Tk1,56,000, corresponding to Grade 1 of the National Pay Scale.
Brigadier generals and equivalent ranks may be placed at the initial step of Grade 2, while colonels and equivalent ranks may be placed at the initial step of Grade 3.
Flight pay in the Air Force may increase by 100%-125% from existing levels. Command, staff, teaching, qualification, disturbance and specialist pay may each increase by 10%.
Skill, appointment, parachute, commando/sniper, Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS)/scuba diving, and good-conduct pay may increase by 15% from current levels.
The secretary-level committee reviewed 81 types of allowances for armed forces personnel. Most of these, including defence allowance, kit allowance, danger money, interpreter and teaching allowance, may increase by 10%. Survey allowance may rise by 30%.
However, house rent, transport, entertainment, tiffin, washing, hill, festival, rest and recreation, Bangla New Year, education assistance, medical and deputation allowances for training institutions will be aligned with the corresponding provisions of the new pay scale.
