Every central government employee is placed on a "Pay Level" from 1 to 18 under the 7th Pay Commission. Your total salary = Basic Pay + DA + HRA + TA + other allowances − deductions (NPS, income tax, CGHS). Understanding this structure helps you compare different posts.
Pay matrix — key levels
- Level 1 (₹18,000): Group D — MTS, Safai Karamchari, Peon.
- Level 2 (₹19,900): Group C — some LDC, Operator posts.
- Level 3 (₹21,700): Group C — Constable, Postman, LDC, Data Entry Operator.
- Level 4 (₹25,500): Group C — SSC CHSL posts (LDC/DEO in some departments).
- Level 5 (₹29,200): Group C — UDC, Accountant, SSC CGL Tax Assistant.
- Level 6 (₹35,400): Group B — SSC CGL Inspector, Auditor, Sub-Inspector.
- Level 7 (₹44,900): Group B — Assistant Section Officer (CSS), some departmental promotions.
- Level 8 (₹47,600): Group B — Section Officer, Bank PO starting.
- Level 10 (₹56,100): Group A — IAS/IPS/IFS probationer, CAPF Assistant Commandant.
- Level 11 (₹67,700): Group A — Senior Scale (IAS after 4 years).
- Level 13 (₹1,23,100): Group A — Director, DIG, Joint Secretary level.
- Level 14 (₹1,44,200): Group A — Additional Secretary, IG.
- Level 17 (₹2,25,000): Cabinet Secretary (highest paid civil servant).
How to calculate in-hand salary
- Dearness Allowance (DA): currently about 53% of basic pay. This changes every January and July.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 27% (X cities like Delhi/Mumbai), 18% (Y cities), 9% (Z cities) of basic pay.
- Transport Allowance: ₹3,600 (Level 1–2, X/Y cities), ₹7,200 (Level 3+, X/Y cities), ₹1,800 / ₹3,600 for Z cities.
- NPS deduction: 10% of (basic + DA). Government contributes 14%.
- CGHS: ₹250–500/month depending on level.
- Income Tax: calculated on total annual income after standard deduction and 80C investments.
In-hand salary examples (October 2026, Delhi)
- SSC MTS (Level 1, ₹18,000 basic): ~₹28,000–32,000 in-hand.
- SSC CHSL LDC (Level 4, ₹25,500 basic): ~₹38,000–43,000 in-hand.
- SSC CGL Inspector (Level 6, ₹35,400 basic): ~₹52,000–58,000 in-hand.
- Bank PO (Level 8 equivalent): ~₹55,000–62,000 in-hand.
- IAS Probationer (Level 10, ₹56,100 basic): ~₹80,000–90,000 in-hand + government accommodation.
Other benefits not counted in salary
- Government accommodation (or HRA if quarters are not available).
- Medical cover for self and family (CGHS/CS-MA). Free treatment at government hospitals.
- LTC (Leave Travel Concession): air/train fare for home visit once a year.
- Children Education Allowance: ₹2,250/child/month (maximum 2 children).
- Concessional loans: housing loan at 7–8% (banks offer staff loans at even lower rates).
- Pension (NPS): lump-sum + monthly annuity after retirement. 60% of NPS corpus is tax-free on withdrawal.