What is the starting salary for Pay Level 18?

The entry basic pay for Pay Level 18 is ₹2,50,000 per month (Cell 1). With 60% DA, basic + DA comes to ₹400,000. Including HRA (X-city, 30%) and Transport Allowance, gross pay is approximately ₹482,200 per month.

What is the in-hand salary for Level 18 in 2026?

For a Level 18 employee at entry pay in an X-class city with 60% DA, the estimated in-hand salary is approximately ₹4,41,200 per month after NPS and CGHS deductions. Income tax is not included.

What will Level 18 salary be after 8th CPC?

Using the projected fitment factor of 1.92×, the entry basic pay for Level 18 would rise from ₹2,50,000 to approximately ₹480,000. DA resets to 0% on implementation. Use the fitment factor slider on this page to model different scenarios.

Which posts come under Pay Level 18?

Pay Level 18 covers: Apex Scale (fixed), Cabinet Secretary. This is classified as Group A (Apex). The 6th CPC equivalent was ₹90,000 (fixed). Level 18 is the Apex fixed pay scale — the highest pay level in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix at ₹2,50,000. This covers the Cabinet Secretary of India and equivalent apex-scale positions. There is only one cell and no annual increment.

What is the HRA for Level 18 in X, Y and Z class cities?

At entry basic pay of ₹2,50,000: X-city HRA (30%) = ₹75,000/month, Y-city HRA (20%) = ₹50,000/month, Z-city HRA (10%) = ₹25,000/month. These enhanced rates apply as DA has crossed 50%.

7th CPC Pay Level 18 Pay Matrix & Salary Guide

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Typical Job Titles & Designations

Posts falling under Pay Level 18

The following roles in the Central Government are generally placed in Pay Level 18 (formerly ₹90,000 fixed):

Cabinet Secretary: The top-most executive official and senior-most civil servant of the Government of India.
Service Chiefs: Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Chief of the Air Staff.