Transport allowance under the 7th Pay Commission (October 2026): Central Government employees get ₹7,200 (Level 9 and above), ₹3,600 (Levels 3 to 8) or ₹1,350 (Levels 1 and 2) a month in the 19 higher TPTA cities, and half that elsewhere (₹900 for Levels 1 and 2), plus DA at 60%. Below are the rates with DA, the city list, the rules for leave, disabled employees and official cars, and the tax treatment.
7th CPC Transport Allowance Rates
Rates from 1 July 2017 under the Department of Expenditure OM No. 21/5/2017-E.II(B) of 7 July 2017, with DA at 60% from 1 January 2026:
| Pay level | Higher TPTA cities | With DA (60%) | Other places | With DA (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 9 and above | ₹7,200 | ₹11,520 | ₹3,600 | ₹5,760 |
| Levels 3 to 8 | ₹3,600 | ₹5,760 | ₹1,800 | ₹2,880 |
| Levels 1 and 2 | ₹1,350 | ₹2,160 | ₹900 | ₹1,440 |
| Levels 1 and 2, basic pay ₹24,200 or more | ₹3,600 | ₹5,760 | ₹1,800 | ₹2,880 |
| Level 14 and above, in place of an official car | ₹15,750 + DA = ₹25,200 | ₹15,750 + DA = ₹25,200 | ||
The rates have not changed since 2017; only the DA on them rises with each DA revision. Source: Ministry of Finance OM No. 21/5/2017-E.II(B), 7 July 2017.
Higher TPTA Cities: The 19 Cities
The higher rate applies in these 19 cities (urban agglomerations), listed in the Annexure to the OM:
| # | City | # | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyderabad | 11 | Nagpur |
| 2 | Patna | 12 | Pune |
| 3 | Delhi | 13 | Jaipur |
| 4 | Ahmedabad | 14 | Chennai |
| 5 | Surat | 15 | Coimbatore |
| 6 | Bengaluru | 16 | Ghaziabad |
| 7 | Kochi | 17 | Kanpur |
| 8 | Kozhikode | 18 | Lucknow |
| 9 | Indore | 19 | Kolkata |
| 10 | Greater Mumbai |
This list is separate from the X, Y and Z classification for HRA. All X cities are on it, but so are some Y cities, such as Patna, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kanpur and Coimbatore. Every other place gets the lower rate.
Transport Allowance by Pay Level at 60% DA
| Pay level (old grade pay) | Higher TPTA city | Other place |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (1800) | ₹2,160 | ₹1,440 |
| Level 2 (1900) | ₹2,160 | ₹1,440 |
| Level 4 (2400) | ₹5,760 | ₹2,880 |
| Level 6 (4200) | ₹5,760 | ₹2,880 |
| Level 7 (4600) | ₹5,760 | ₹2,880 |
| Level 8 (4800) | ₹5,760 | ₹2,880 |
| Level 9 (5400) | ₹11,520 | ₹5,760 |
| Level 10 and above | ₹11,520 | ₹5,760 |
Levels 1 and 2 move to ₹5,760 and ₹2,880 once basic pay reaches ₹24,200. See the full salary for your level in the 7th Pay Commission salary calculator.
Double Transport Allowance for Employees With Disabilities
- Rate: double the normal rate, plus DA; the 2017 OM sets a minimum of ₹2,250 a month plus DA.
- Who qualifies: employees with blindness, locomotor disability (including cerebral palsy, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy), hearing impairment, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, chronic neurological conditions, blood disorders such as haemophilia and thalassaemia, or multiple disabilities.
- Certificate: a valid disability certificate from a certified medical authority; TA is paid from the date it reaches the office.
- Campus: payable even when the employee lives on campus or within 1 km of the office.
- Official car rate: the ₹15,750 option for Level 14 and above is not doubled.
Source: Ministry of Finance OM No. 21/1/2018-E.IIB, 15 September 2022.
When Transport Allowance Is Not Paid
- Government transport: employees given Government transport for commuting do not get TA.
- Leave: not paid for a calendar month wholly covered by leave.
- Tour and training: not paid for a calendar month wholly spent on tour, or on training where transport or daily allowance is given; training abroad for a full month is also excluded.
- Suspension: not paid for full months under suspension; part months are reduced in proportion.
- Deputation abroad: not paid.
If the absence covers only part of a calendar month, TA is paid in full for that month.
Is Transport Allowance Taxable?
Transport allowance is taxable for most employees under both the old and the new tax regimes; the general ₹1,600-a-month exemption ended in 2018, when the standard deduction replaced it. Employees who are blind, deaf and dumb or orthopaedically disabled can claim exemption up to ₹3,200 a month under section 10(14), in either regime.
Transport Allowance and the 8th Pay Commission
The 8th Central Pay Commission, constituted on 3 November 2025, will review pay, allowances and pension. Until its recommendations are accepted, the 2017 rates continue, with DA on them. Track the latest in the 8th Pay Commission news.
About This Guide
How the Figures Are Worked Out
Rates are from the Ministry of Finance OMs of 7 July 2017 and 15 September 2022. DA on TA is the rate × 60%, the Central DA from 1 January 2026.
Assumptions and Limitations
- For Central Government employees. State governments, PSUs and banks have their own conveyance rules.
- Railways, defence and other services apply the same rates through their own orders.
- Your pay slip decides the actual figures.
Who This Guide Is For
Central Government employees, DDOs and accounts staff, and candidates comparing Central Government salaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the transport allowance under the 7th Pay Commission?
₹7,200 for Level 9 and above, ₹3,600 for Levels 3 to 8 and ₹1,350 for Levels 1 and 2 in the 19 higher TPTA cities, and half that elsewhere (₹900 for Levels 1 and 2), plus DA, under the OM of 7 July 2017.
Is DA paid on transport allowance?
Yes. DA is paid on transport allowance at the current DA rate, 60% from 1 January 2026. ₹3,600 of TA becomes ₹5,760 a month.
How much is transport allowance with DA at 60%?
₹11,520 or ₹5,760 for Level 9 and above, ₹5,760 or ₹2,880 for Levels 3 to 8, and ₹2,160 or ₹1,440 for Levels 1 and 2, in higher TPTA cities and other places.
Which cities get the higher transport allowance?
19 cities: Hyderabad, Patna, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kozhikode, Indore, Greater Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Jaipur, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow and Kolkata (urban agglomerations).
What is the TA for Level 1 and 2 employees with basic pay above ₹24,200?
Employees in Levels 1 and 2 drawing basic pay of ₹24,200 or more get the Levels 3 to 8 rate: ₹3,600 in higher TPTA cities and ₹1,800 elsewhere, plus DA.
Who gets double transport allowance?
Employees with the disabilities listed in the OM of 15 September 2022, including blindness, locomotor disability and hearing impairment, get double the normal rate plus DA, with a valid disability certificate.
Is transport allowance paid during leave?
Not for a calendar month wholly covered by leave, tour or training where transport or daily allowance is given. If the absence covers only part of the month, TA is paid in full for that month.
Is transport allowance taxable?
Yes, for most employees, under both tax regimes. Employees who are blind, deaf and dumb or orthopaedically disabled can claim exemption up to ₹3,200 a month.
Can officers with an official car draw transport allowance?
Officers in Level 14 and above who are entitled to an official car can opt for ₹15,750 a month plus DA instead of the car. Employees given Government transport do not get TA.
Is transport allowance part of the 8th Pay Commission?
The 8th CPC, constituted on 3 November 2025, will review allowances including transport allowance. Until its recommendations are accepted, the 2017 rates apply.