7th CPC pay matrix · DA 60% from 1 January 2026
Pay Level 18 salary: ₹3,90,640–₹4,46,400 in-hand
Pay Level 18 starts at a basic pay of ₹2,50,000 (fixed). With Dearness Allowance at 60%, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance, a new entrant takes home roughly ₹3,90,640 in a Z-class town and ₹4,46,400 in a metro.
Entry salary breakdown (per month)
| City | Basic | DA 60% | HRA | TA + DA | Gross | NPS | In-hand* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X city (TPTA) | ₹2,50,000 | ₹1,50,000 | ₹75,000 | ₹11,520 | ₹4,86,520 | ₹40,000 | ₹4,46,400 |
| Y city | ₹2,50,000 | ₹1,50,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹5,760 | ₹4,55,760 | ₹40,000 | ₹4,15,640 |
| Z city | ₹2,50,000 | ₹1,50,000 | ₹25,000 | ₹5,760 | ₹4,30,760 | ₹40,000 | ₹3,90,640 |
*Before income tax and professional tax; CGEGIS also deducted. X city figures assume a higher-TA city. Try your exact cell in the salary calculator.
Posts commonly at Level 18
- Cabinet Secretary
How pay grows at Level 18
Each year on 1 January or 1 July you move one cell down the column — a raise of about 3%, rounded to the nearest ₹100. DA is revised twice a year based on inflation (the next revision, 63% expected from 1 July 2026 (not yet notified)), and promotions move you to the next level at the cell equal to or just above your current pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting basic pay in Pay Level 18?
₹2,50,000 per month under the 7th CPC pay matrix.
What is the in-hand salary for Level 18?
At the entry cell with DA at 60%, gross pay is about ₹4,30,760–₹4,86,520 a month depending on the city, and in-hand pay after NPS is roughly ₹3,90,640–₹4,46,400 before income tax.
What is the maximum basic pay in Level 18?
₹2,50,000 (fixed pay).