The 7th Pay Commission pay matrix is the salary framework for all central government employees — from MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) to Cabinet Secretary. Understanding which pay level corresponds to which post, and how increments and DA affect your take-home, is essential for every government job aspirant and serving employee.
Here's the complete pay matrix with current DA rates and approximate gross salary as of early 2026.
Current DA Rate
Dearness Allowance as of January 2026: ~55% of basic pay
DA is revised every 6 months (January and July) based on the AICPT Consumer Price Index. Each revision typically adds 3–5%.
Complete Pay Matrix — All 18 Levels
Level 1 (MTS, Peon, Group D)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA (55%) | Approx Gross (Metro) |
|---|
| 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹27,900 | ₹35,000 |
| 2 | ₹18,500 | ₹28,675 | ₹36,000 |
| 5 | ₹20,200 | ₹31,310 | ₹39,300 |
| 10 | ₹23,300 | ₹36,115 | ₹45,400 |
| 20 | ₹31,000 | ₹48,050 | ₹60,400 |
| 40 (max) | ₹56,900 | ₹88,195 | ₹1,10,800 |
Posts: SSC MTS, Safaiwala, Peon, Daftary, Jamadar
Level 2 (LDC, Group C Entry)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹19,900 | ₹30,845 | ₹38,800 |
| 10 | ₹25,900 | ₹40,145 | ₹50,400 |
| 20 | ₹34,500 | ₹53,475 | ₹67,200 |
| 40 (max) | ₹63,200 | ₹97,960 | ₹1,23,100 |
Posts: SSC CHSL (LDC/JSA), Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant
Level 3 (UDC, Group C)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹21,700 | ₹33,635 | ₹42,300 |
| 10 | ₹28,200 | ₹43,710 | ₹54,900 |
| 20 | ₹37,500 | ₹58,125 | ₹73,100 |
Posts: UDC, Head Clerk (entry)
Level 4 (SSC CGL — Tax Assistant, Auditor Entry)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹25,500 | ₹39,525 | ₹49,700 |
| 10 | ₹33,200 | ₹51,460 | ₹64,700 |
| 20 | ₹44,100 | ₹68,355 | ₹85,900 |
| 40 (max) | ₹80,800 | ₹1,25,240 | ₹1,57,400 |
Posts: SSC CGL Tax Assistant, Auditor, Accountant, UDC (CBIC/CBDT)
Level 5 (Inspector, Divisional Accountant)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹29,200 | ₹45,260 | ₹56,900 |
| 10 | ₹38,000 | ₹58,900 | ₹74,000 |
| 20 | ₹50,500 | ₹78,275 | ₹98,400 |
Posts: Inspector (CBIC/CBDT), Divisional Accountant, Statistical Investigator Gr-I
Level 6 (ASI, Section Officer Entry, Sub-Inspector)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹35,400 | ₹54,870 | ₹69,000 |
| 10 | ₹46,200 | ₹71,610 | ₹90,000 |
| 20 | ₹61,300 | ₹95,015 | ₹1,19,400 |
Posts: SSC CPO (Sub-Inspector CAPF/Delhi Police), ASO (MEA), Section Officer (CSS)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹44,900 | ₹69,595 | ₹87,500 |
| 10 | ₹58,300 | ₹90,365 | ₹1,13,600 |
| 20 | ₹77,600 | ₹1,20,280 | ₹1,51,200 |
Posts: Assistant Section Officer (CSS), Inspector (Central Excise/IT promoted), GP-B Gazetted
Level 8 (Section Officer Promoted, Assistant Commissioner Entry)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹47,600 | ₹73,780 | ₹92,800 |
| 10 | ₹61,900 | ₹95,945 | ₹1,20,600 |
Level 10 (IAS/IPS Entry, ISRO Scientist SC, Group A Entry)
| Index | Basic Pay | With DA | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹56,100 | ₹86,955 | ₹1,09,300 |
| 5 | ₹63,200 | ₹97,960 | ₹1,23,100 |
| 10 | ₹73,100 | ₹1,13,305 | ₹1,42,400 |
| 18 (max) | ₹97,000 | ₹1,50,350 | ₹1,88,900 |
Posts: IAS/IPS/IFS (entry), ISRO Scientist SC, DRDO Scientist B, Assistant Commissioner (CBIC/CBDT), Group A entry through UPSC
Level 11 (Senior Scale / Under Secretary)
| Index | Basic Pay | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹67,700 | ₹1,32,000 |
Level 12 (Deputy Secretary / Director)
| Index | Basic Pay | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹78,800 | ₹1,54,000 |
Level 13 (Joint Secretary)
| Index | Basic Pay | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹1,23,100 | ₹2,40,000 |
Level 14 (Additional Secretary / Senior JS)
| Index | Basic Pay | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 1 | ₹1,44,200 | ₹2,82,000 |
Level 15–17 (Secretary / Special Secretary / Apex)
| Level | Basic Pay | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 15 | ₹1,82,200 | ₹3,55,000 |
| 16 | ₹2,05,400 | ₹4,00,000 |
| 17 | ₹2,25,000 | ₹4,39,000 |
Level 18 (Cabinet Secretary — Apex)
| Level | Basic Pay | Approx Gross |
|---|
| 18 | ₹2,50,000 | ₹4,87,000 |
Exam-to-Pay Level Mapping
This is what aspirants search for most — which exam leads to which pay level:
| Exam | Post | Pay Level | Entry Basic |
|---|
| SSC MTS | MTS, Havaldar | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
| SSC CHSL | LDC, DEO, PA/SA | Level 2 | ₹19,900 |
| SSC CGL (Tier-I posts) | Tax Asst, Auditor | Level 4 | ₹25,500 |
| SSC CGL (Inspector) | Inspector CBIC/CBDT | Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| SSC CGL (ASO) | Assistant Section Officer | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| SSC CPO | SI (CAPF/Delhi Police) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| SSC GD | Constable (BSF/CISF/CRPF) | Level 3 | ₹21,700 |
| IBPS Clerk | Bank Clerk | ~₹19,900* | ~₹19,900 |
| IBPS PO | Probationary Officer | ~₹36,000* | ~₹36,000 |
| SBI PO | Probationary Officer | ~₹48,480* | ~₹48,480 |
| RBI Grade B | Manager (Grade B) | ~₹55,200* | ~₹55,200 |
| UPSC CSE | IAS/IPS/IFS | Level 10 | ₹56,100 |
| UPSC NDA | Lieutenant | Level 10 | ₹56,100 |
| GATE-PSU (ONGC E1) | Executive | ~₹60,000 | ~₹60,000 |
Banking and RBI follow separate pay structures (IBA bipartite settlements), not 7th CPC directly.
How Increments Work
- Annual increment: 3% of basic pay, credited on July 1 each year
- Promotion increment: Move to the next higher pay level; basic set at the next higher cell value
- MACP (Modified Assured Career Progression): If not promoted in 10/20/30 years, you get financial upgradation to the next pay level
Example: Level 4, Index 1 (₹25,500). After 1 year: ₹25,500 × 1.03 = ₹26,265 → rounded to next cell = ₹26,300. After 10 years: approximately ₹33,200.
Is DA counted for pension calculation?
DA at the time of retirement is merged with basic pay for pension calculation. If your basic is ₹50,000 and DA is 55% (₹27,500), your last drawn pay for pension is ₹77,500. Pension = 50% of last drawn pay + DA at time of retirement.
When will the 8th Pay Commission come?
The 8th Pay Commission is expected to be constituted in 2025-26 and implemented by January 2026 (effective date). The fitment factor (estimated 2.57x or higher) will determine new basic pay. Level 1 may jump from ₹18,000 to ₹46,000+ and Level 10 from ₹56,100 to ₹1,44,000+.
Why does the same pay level have different in-hand salary?
Because of posting city (HRA: 27% metro, 18% X-class, 9% Y-class), NPS deduction choices, tax bracket differences, and whether quarters are taken in lieu of HRA.
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