PSU Salary 2026 — E1 Executive Pay at NTPC, ONGC, BHEL, SAIL, GAIL
PSU E1 executive pay (3rd PRC, IDA pattern)
Central Public Sector Enterprises pay executives on the IDA (Industrial Dearness Allowance) pattern under the 3rd Pay Revision Committee, not the 7th CPC. Most Maharatna and Navratna PSUs recruit entry-level engineers into the E1 grade, often through the GATE score. The basic pay scale is the same E1 band; total CTC differs by company through perks, PRP (profit-linked) and location.
| Grade | Basic Pay Scale (₹) | Approx in-hand / month (₹) | Approx CTC / year (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 (Assistant/Graduate Engineer) | 40,000–1,40,000 | 80,000–1,00,000 | 12–18 lakh |
| E2 | 50,000–1,60,000 | 95,000–1,15,000 | 15–20 lakh |
| E3 | 60,000–1,80,000 | 1,10,000–1,30,000 | 18–24 lakh |
IDA-pattern pay (3rd PRC), not the 7th CPC. Industrial DA on the 2017 pay scales is 55.7% for July–September 2026 (DPE OM of 17 July 2026), up from 54.1% for April–June; DPE revises it every quarter. CTC and in-hand vary by PSU — Maharatnas like ONGC, NTPC and IOCL are at the higher end. PRP (Performance Related Pay) is profit-linked and not guaranteed.
What the PSU package includes
- Basic pay — E1 scale ₹40,000–₹1,40,000.
- Industrial DA (IDA) — 55.7% of basic for July–September 2026 (2017 scales, DPE OM of 17 July 2026), revised every quarter.
- HRA — 10–30% by city, or company township accommodation.
- Cafeteria/perks — up to about 35% of basic under the flexi-benefit scheme.
- PRP — Performance Related Pay, linked to company profit and rating.
- Medical, PF, gratuity and superannuation benefits.
Recruitment and growth
Many PSUs hire entry-level executives through the GATE exam score, followed by interview/GD. From E1, executives are promoted to E2, E3 and up the executive ladder, with the IDA scale and perks rising at each grade. Maharatna PSUs (ONGC, NTPC, IOCL, SAIL, GAIL, BHEL and others) generally offer the strongest CTC and perks.
Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the in-hand salary of a PSU E1 executive?
A fresh E1 executive at a Maharatna PSU takes home roughly ₹80,000–₹1,00,000 a month, on a basic scale of ₹40,000–₹1,40,000 with Industrial DA (55.7% for July–September 2026), HRA and perks. CTC is typically ₹12–18 lakh a year, higher at ONGC, NTPC and IOCL.
Do PSUs follow the 7th Pay Commission?
No. Central PSUs pay executives on the IDA (Industrial DA) pattern under the DPE's Pay Revision Committee, not the 7th CPC. IDA is revised quarterly, unlike central-government DA which is revised twice a year.
How do PSUs recruit through GATE?
Many PSUs use the GATE score to shortlist entry-level engineers into the E1 grade, sometimes followed by a group discussion and interview. It is one of the most common routes into ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, SAIL, GAIL and similar companies.
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