SSC CGL Salary 2026
Post-wise pay scales, in-hand salary by city class, allowances, deductions, and the long-term career path. Figures are based on the 7th Pay Commission with current DA — always cross-check the latest DA notification.
Pay Level by Post
SSC CGL recruits across five pay levels of the 7th CPC. Basic pay is the entry stage of the pay level; you also receive grade pay implicit in the level structure.
| Pay Level | Entry Basic Pay | Grade Pay | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹4,800 | Assistant Section Officer (CSS, IB, AFHQ, MEA, Ministry of Railway), Assistant (Other Ministries), Inspector (Income Tax), Inspector (CGST/Examiner/Preventive Officer), Assistant Enforcement Officer, Sub-Inspector (CBI), Inspector (Posts), Inspector (NIA), Divisional Accountant, Sub-Inspector (NIA), Junior Statistical Officer |
| Pay Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹4,600 | Assistant Section Officer (Other Ministries/Departments), Assistant (CVC), Inspector (Department of Post), Assistant Section Officer in IB, Assistant (Central Bureau of Narcotics) |
| Pay Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹4,200 | Assistant (Other Ministries), Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics), Divisional Accountant, Junior Statistical Officer (some cadres), Statistical Investigator Grade-II, Auditor (C&AG), Auditor (CGDA), Auditor (Other Ministries), Accountant / Junior Accountant |
| Pay Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹2,800 | Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant, Senior Secretariat Assistant / Upper Division Clerk |
| Pay Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹2,400 | Tax Assistant (CBDT), Tax Assistant (CBIC), Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics) |
Approximate In-Hand Salary (Metro / X-Class City)
Estimates for entry-level posting in an X-class metro (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad). Actuals vary with city class, DA revision, and individual deductions.
Assistant Section Officer (CSS) — Pay Level 8
~ ₹79,500 in-handBasic
₹47,600
DA
~ ₹23,800
HRA
~ ₹13,328
TA
~ ₹3,600
Gross
~ ₹88,000
Deductions
~ ₹8,500
Inspector (Income Tax / CGST) — Pay Level 7
~ ₹75,500 in-handBasic
₹44,900
DA
~ ₹22,450
HRA
~ ₹12,572
TA
~ ₹3,600
Gross
~ ₹83,500
Deductions
~ ₹8,000
Auditor / Accountant — Pay Level 6
~ ₹60,000 in-handBasic
₹35,400
DA
~ ₹17,700
HRA
~ ₹9,912
TA
~ ₹3,600
Gross
~ ₹66,500
Deductions
~ ₹6,500
UDC / Senior Secretariat Assistant — Pay Level 5
~ ₹50,000 in-handBasic
₹29,200
DA
~ ₹14,600
HRA
~ ₹8,176
TA
~ ₹3,600
Gross
~ ₹55,500
Deductions
~ ₹5,500
Tax Assistant — Pay Level 4
~ ₹44,200 in-handBasic
₹25,500
DA
~ ₹12,750
HRA
~ ₹7,140
TA
~ ₹3,600
Gross
~ ₹49,000
Deductions
~ ₹4,800
Allowances & Benefits
Dearness Allowance (DA)
Currently around 50% of basic pay; revised twice a year based on AICPI-IW.
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
X-class cities: 27%, Y-class: 18%, Z-class: 9% of basic pay.
Transport Allowance (TA)
₹3,600 + DA% in higher TPTA cities, ₹1,800 + DA% in other cities (varies by pay level).
Children Education Allowance
₹2,250 per month per child (max 2 children); ₹6,750 if hostel.
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
Once every 2 years for home town; once every 4 years for any location in India.
Medical Facility
CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) coverage for employee and dependents.
Pension (NPS)
New Pension Scheme — 10% employee + 14% government contribution; tier-1 mandatory.
Common Deductions
Career Progression
SSC CGL is a launchpad — most posts open into Group B Gazetted and even Group A cadres with experience, internal exams, and seniority.
Entry (Year 0-4)
Direct recruitment via SSC CGL; one annual increment of 3% on basic.
First promotion (Year 4-8)
Promotion to next pay level — e.g., Inspector → Income Tax Officer (Group B Gazetted) at Pay Level 8/10 depending on cadre.
Mid-career (Year 8-15)
Section Officer / Assistant Commissioner / similar; Pay Level 10-11.
Senior (Year 15+)
Under Secretary / Deputy Commissioner / Joint Commissioner; Pay Level 11-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest salary in SSC CGL?
The highest entry-level salary in SSC CGL is for Pay Level 8 posts (Assistant Section Officer in CSS, Inspector Income Tax, Inspector CGST, Assistant Enforcement Officer, etc.), with a basic pay of ₹47,600 and in-hand around ₹78,000-₹82,000 in metro cities after DA, HRA, TA, and standard deductions.
What is the in-hand salary of an SSC CGL Inspector?
An SSC CGL Inspector (Income Tax / CGST / Examiner / Preventive Officer) at Pay Level 7 (basic ₹44,900) gets an approximate in-hand salary of ₹74,000-₹78,000 in X-class cities after DA, HRA, transport allowance, and NPS / CGHS / income tax deductions.
What is the salary of SSC CGL Tax Assistant?
SSC CGL Tax Assistant (CBDT / CBIC) is at Pay Level 4 with a basic pay of ₹25,500. The approximate in-hand salary in metro cities is ₹43,000-₹46,000 per month including DA, HRA, and transport allowance.
Does SSC CGL salary include HRA?
Yes. HRA is paid as a percentage of basic pay — 27% in X-class metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, etc.), 18% in Y-class cities, and 9% in Z-class cities. HRA is not paid if government accommodation is allotted.
Which SSC CGL post has the best salary growth?
Posts in CBDT (Income Tax) and CBIC (CGST/Customs) generally offer the fastest promotion ladder — Inspector → Income Tax Officer (Group B Gazetted) → Assistant Commissioner (Group A IRS) is possible within 8-12 years. CSS Assistant Section Officer offers steady Delhi-based career growth up to Director/Joint Secretary.
Is SSC CGL salary same in all cities?
Basic pay is the same across India, but the total in-hand salary differs because of HRA city classification (X/Y/Z) and Transport Allowance city classification. Metro postings get the highest gross salary; small-town postings get less HRA.
Are SSC CGL employees eligible for pension?
SSC CGL recruits after 1st January 2004 fall under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) — 10% employee + 14% government contribution. The old defined-benefit pension scheme does not apply to current recruits.
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