7th Pay Commission: pay matrix, DA and salary
Everything about the 7th Central Pay Commission that decides central government pay today, on one page.
Pay levels and basic pay
Starting and highest basic pay in each level of the 7th CPC pay matrix, with the old grade pay and typical posts.
| Level | Old grade pay | Starting basic pay | Highest basic pay | Typical posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹1,800 | ₹18,000 | ₹56,900 | MTS / Trackman / Constable (Entry) |
| Level 2 | ₹1,900 | ₹19,900 | ₹63,200 | LDC / JS / Constable / Postman |
| Level 3 | ₹2,000 | ₹21,700 | ₹69,100 | Constable (GD) / Sepoy / Skilled Artisan |
| Level 4 | ₹2,400 | ₹25,500 | ₹81,100 | Tax Assistant / UDC / Steno D / Havildar |
| Level 5 | ₹2,800 | ₹29,200 | ₹92,300 | Auditor / Sr. Tax Asst / Head Constable |
| Level 6 | ₹4,200 | ₹35,400 | ₹1,12,400 | Junior Engineer (JE) / Sub-Inspector / Station Master |
| Level 7 | ₹4,600 | ₹44,900 | ₹1,42,400 | ASO / Income Tax Inspector / Nursing Officer / SSE |
| Level 8 | ₹4,800 | ₹47,600 | ₹1,51,100 | Section Officer (SO) / Assistant Audit Officer (AAO) |
| Level 9 | ₹5,400 (NF) | ₹53,100 | ₹1,67,800 | Senior Section Officer / Accounts Officer |
| Level 10 | ₹5,400 | ₹56,100 | ₹1,77,500 | IAS/IPS/IRS Entry (JTS) / Asst. Director / Lieutenant |
| Level 11 | ₹6,600 | ₹67,700 | ₹2,08,700 | Under Secretary / Dy. Commandant / Major / EE |
| Level 12 | ₹7,600 | ₹78,800 | ₹2,09,200 | Deputy Secretary / Lt. Colonel / Joint Director |
| Level 13 | ₹8,700 | ₹1,23,100 | ₹2,15,900 | Director / Colonel / Selection Grade Officer |
| Level 13A | ₹8,900 | ₹1,31,100 | ₹2,16,600 | Brigadier / Associate Professor (Academic) |
| Level 14 | ₹10,000 | ₹1,44,200 | ₹2,18,200 | Joint Secretary / Major General / Professor |
| Level 15 | HAG | ₹1,82,200 | ₹2,24,100 | Additional Secretary / Lt. General / Director General |
| Level 16 | HAG+ | ₹2,05,400 | ₹2,24,400 | DG / Senior Additional Secretary |
| Level 17 | Apex | ₹2,25,000 | ₹2,25,000 | Secretary to Govt. of India / Chief Secretary |
| Level 18 | Cabinet Sec | ₹2,50,000 | ₹2,50,000 | Cabinet Secretary / Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) |
Recent DA rates
| From | DA (% of basic pay) |
|---|---|
| January 2024 | 50% |
| July 2024 | 53% |
| January 2025 | 55% |
| July 2025 | 58% |
| January 2026 | 60% |
DA is revised every January and July. Rates as used in this site's calculators.
HRA rates
| City class | Base | DA over 25% | DA over 50% |
|---|---|---|---|
| X (big cities) | 24% | 27% | 30% |
| Y (other cities) | 16% | 18% | 20% |
| Z (rest of India) | 8% | 9% | 10% |
HRA is a percentage of basic pay, with a minimum of ₹5,400 / ₹3,600 / ₹1,800.
The 7th Pay Commission in brief
The 7th Central Pay Commission, chaired by Justice A. K. Mathur, submitted its report in November 2015, and the Government implemented it from 1 January 2016. It replaced the old pay bands and grade pay with a single pay matrix of 18 levels, set the minimum basic pay at ₹18,000 and the maximum at ₹2,50,000, and used a fitment factor of 2.57 to convert old pay into new pay.
Your 7th CPC salary is made up of basic pay from the matrix, dearness allowance (DA) as a percentage of basic pay, house rent allowance (HRA) based on your city class, transport allowance with DA on it, and special allowances for some posts. NPS (10% of basic + DA), CGHS and CGEGIS are deducted, along with income tax.
The 7th CPC continues to apply until the 8th Pay Commission is implemented. Use the salary calculator to see your exact in-hand pay today and your projected 8th CPC pay side by side.
Frequently asked questions
When was the 7th Pay Commission implemented?
The 7th CPC was implemented from 1 January 2016, based on the report submitted in November 2015 by the Commission chaired by Justice A. K. Mathur.
What is the minimum and maximum basic pay in the 7th CPC?
The minimum basic pay is ₹18,000 a month (Level 1) and the maximum is ₹2,50,000 a month (Level 18, Cabinet Secretary).
What was the 7th Pay Commission fitment factor?
The 7th CPC used a fitment factor of 2.57: pre-revised basic pay plus grade pay was multiplied by 2.57 to fix pay in the new pay matrix.
How often is DA revised under the 7th CPC?
Dearness Allowance is revised twice a year, effective from 1 January and 1 July, based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW).
Will the 7th Pay Commission continue after 2026?
Yes, 7th CPC pay and DA continue until the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations are accepted and implemented. The 8th CPC is expected to take effect from 1 January 2026, with arrears if implemented later.