7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix 2026 — All Levels 1 to 18
The full 7th CPC pay matrix — entry basic pay by level
The pay matrix replaced the old pay-band-and-grade-pay system. Each of the 18 levels has a starting (entry) cell and then annual increments of 3%. The entry basic pay below is the figure your salary is built on — every allowance is calculated as a percentage of it.
| Pay Level | Entry Basic Pay (₹) | Typical posts |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 18,000 | MTS, Group D |
| Level 2 | 19,900 | LDC, Constable |
| Level 3 | 21,700 | Constable / skilled staff |
| Level 4 | 25,500 | Auditor, Tax Assistant, Grade-D Steno |
| Level 5 | 29,200 | Senior clerk, technician |
| Level 6 | 35,400 | Inspector (state), Assistant, Sub-Inspector |
| Level 7 | 44,900 | Central Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (IT/CE) |
| Level 8 | 47,600 | Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer, Section Officer |
| Level 9 | 53,100 | Deputy SP, Under Secretary (entry) |
| Level 10 | 56,100 | Group A entry — IAS/IPS/IFS, Assistant Commissioner |
| Level 11 | 67,700 | Senior scale officers |
| Level 12 | 78,800 | Under Secretary / STS officers |
| Level 13 | 1,23,100 | Director / Selection grade |
| Level 13A | 1,31,100 | Senior Director |
| Level 14 | 1,44,200 | Joint Secretary |
| Level 15 | 1,82,200 | Additional Secretary |
| Level 16 | 2,05,400 | Secretary-rank |
| Level 17 | 2,25,000 | Secretary (fixed pay) |
| Level 18 | 2,50,000 | Cabinet Secretary (fixed pay) |
Entry (starting) cell of each level per the 7th CPC pay matrix. Levels 17–18 are fixed pay. Actual posts at a level vary by department.
How in-hand salary is built from basic pay
Your gross salary is not the basic pay alone. On top of the matrix figure, central government employees receive:
- Dearness Allowance (DA) — 60% of basic pay from 1 January 2026, revised twice a year. This is the single largest add-on.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) — 30% / 20% / 10% of basic pay for X (metro), Y and Z class cities respectively.
- Transport Allowance (TA) — a fixed amount by city class and level (₹3,600 for Levels 3–8 in the higher-rate cities), plus DA on it.
- Deductions — NPS (10% of basic + DA), CGHS, and professional tax reduce the net.
Worked example — Level 6 in a metro
For a Level 6 employee (entry basic ₹35,400) posted in an X-class city, with DA at 60% and HRA at 30%: DA = ₹21,240, HRA = ₹10,620 and Transport Allowance = ₹5,760 (₹3,600 plus DA). Gross comes to about ₹73,000. After NPS (₹5,664) and CGHS (₹450), in-hand is about ₹66,900 a month before income tax. In a Z-class town, where HRA is 10% and the transport rate is lower, it is about ₹56,900.
What the 8th Pay Commission may change
The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted on 3 November 2025 and has 18 months — until about May 2027 — to make its recommendations. It will set a new fitment factor and pay matrix, but neither has been decided yet, and nor has the effective date. See our 8th Pay Commission guide for illustrative projections.
Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum basic pay in the 7th Pay Commission?
The minimum basic pay under the 7th CPC is ₹18,000 per month at Level 1 (for Multi-Tasking Staff and Group D posts). The maximum is ₹2,50,000 at Level 18 (Cabinet Secretary), which is a fixed pay.
How is 7th CPC in-hand salary different from basic pay?
Basic pay is only the matrix figure. In-hand salary adds Dearness Allowance (60% of basic from January 2026), House Rent Allowance (30/20/10% by city) and Transport Allowance, then subtracts NPS (10% of basic + DA) and CGHS. At today's DA, in-hand before income tax is roughly 1.6× the basic pay in a Z-class town and 1.9× in a metro.
What is the fitment factor?
The fitment factor is the multiplier used to revise basic pay when a new pay commission is implemented. The 7th CPC used 2.57. The 8th Pay Commission's fitment factor has not been finalised.
How often does DA increase?
Dearness Allowance is revised twice a year — from January and from July — based on the All India Consumer Price Index. Each revision is announced by the central government and applied with arrears.
More in Salary & Pay
View all8th Pay Commission 2026 — Status, Fitment Factor & Expected Date
8th Pay Commission status: constituted in November 2025, report due by about May 2027. Fitment factor, pay matrix and effective date are not yet decided.
SSC CGL Salary 2026 — Post-wise Pay Level, Basic Pay & In-hand
SSC CGL salary 2026 by post: pay level, basic pay and in-hand at 60% DA for Assistant Audit Officer, Inspector, ASO, Auditor and Tax Assistant.
SSC CHSL Salary 2026 — Post-wise Pay Level, Basic Pay & In-hand
SSC CHSL salary 2026 by post — pay level, 7th CPC basic pay and approximate in-hand for LDC/JSA, Postal Assistant, Data Entry Operator and DEO Grade A.
SSC MTS Salary 2026 — In-hand Pay, Pay Level & Havaldar
SSC MTS salary 2026 — Multi-Tasking Staff at pay Level 1 (₹18,000) and Havaldar at Level 2 (₹19,900), with DA, HRA and approximate in-hand by city class.
SSC GD Constable Salary 2026 — Pay Level 3, In-hand & Allowances
SSC GD Constable salary 2026: pay Level 3 basic ₹21,700, DA at 60%, HRA and in-hand, plus ration and field allowances in BSF, CRPF, CISF and ITBP.
RRB NTPC Salary 2026 — Post-wise Pay Level & In-hand
RRB NTPC salary 2026 by post: pay level, basic pay and in-hand at 60% DA for Station Master, Goods Guard, Senior Clerk and undergraduate posts.