Pay Level 2 in-hand salary under the 7th Pay Commission (October 2026): Level 2 starts at a basic pay of ₹19,900. At 60% DA, the gross salary is ₹39,970 a month in an X city and the in-hand pay about ₹36,786 after NPS. Below are the in-hand salary in X, Y and Z cities, the pay after increments, all 40 cells of Level 2 and the posts in this level.
What Is Pay Level 2 in the 7th Pay Commission?
The 7th CPC pay matrix replaced pay bands and grade pay from 1 January 2016. Grade pay ₹1,900 in Pay Band-1 (₹5,200–20,200) became Level 2, running from ₹19,900 to ₹63,200. Pay was fixed at 2.57 times the old pay in the band + grade pay.
| Item | Pay Level 2 |
|---|---|
| 6th CPC | Pay Band-1, ₹5,200–20,200 + grade pay ₹1,900 |
| Basic pay range | ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 (40 cells) |
| DA | 60% of basic pay from 1 January 2026 |
| Next level | Level 3 (grade pay ₹2,000), entry ₹21,700 |
Pay Level 2 In-Hand Salary in X, Y and Z Cities
Entry pay ₹19,900, DA 60%, NPS; transport allowance at ₹1,350 in the X city (a higher TPTA city) and ₹900 in the Y and Z cities:
| Item | X city | Y city | Z city |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic pay | ₹19,900 | ₹19,900 | ₹19,900 |
| DA (60%) | ₹11,940 | ₹11,940 | ₹11,940 |
| HRA | ₹5,970 (30%) | ₹3,980 (20%) | ₹1,990 (10%) |
| Transport allowance + DA on TA | ₹2,160 | ₹1,440 | ₹1,440 |
| Gross salary | ₹39,970 | ₹37,260 | ₹35,270 |
| NPS (10% of basic + DA) | ₹3,184 | ₹3,184 | ₹3,184 |
| Income tax (new regime) | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| In-hand salary | ₹36,786 | ₹34,076 | ₹32,086 |
CGHS (₹250 a month for Levels 1 to 5) and professional tax, where they apply, reduce these figures further. Some Y cities, such as Jaipur, Lucknow and Patna, are higher TPTA cities with the higher transport allowance. Work out your own figures with the 7th Pay Commission salary calculator.
Pay Level 2 Salary After Increments (X City)
The annual increment moves you one cell up, on 1 January or 1 July. At DA 60%, HRA 30% and the higher TPTA city rate of transport allowance:
| Cell | Basic pay | Gross salary | NPS | Income tax | In-hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (entry) | ₹19,900 | ₹39,970 | ₹3,184 | Nil | ₹36,786 |
| 4 | ₹21,700 | ₹43,390 | ₹3,472 | Nil | ₹39,918 |
| 6 | ₹23,100 | ₹46,050 | ₹3,696 | Nil | ₹42,354 |
| 8 | ₹24,500 | ₹52,310 | ₹3,920 | Nil | ₹48,390 |
| 11 | ₹26,800 | ₹56,680 | ₹4,288 | Nil | ₹52,392 |
| 16 | ₹31,100 | ₹64,850 | ₹4,976 | Nil | ₹59,874 |
| 21 | ₹36,100 | ₹74,350 | ₹5,776 | Nil | ₹68,574 |
| 40 (maximum) | ₹63,200 | ₹1,25,840 | ₹10,112 | ₹8,256 | ₹1,07,472 |
From cell 8 (₹24,500), basic pay crosses ₹24,200 and transport allowance rises from ₹1,350 to ₹3,600, which is why the gross jumps there. Income tax is a new-regime estimate for tax year 2026-27: ₹75,000 standard deduction, no tax up to ₹12 lakh of taxable income with marginal relief, and 4% cess.
Level 2 Pay Matrix: All 40 Cells
| Cell | Basic pay | Cell | Basic pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹19,900 | 21 | ₹36,100 |
| 2 | ₹20,500 | 22 | ₹37,200 |
| 3 | ₹21,100 | 23 | ₹38,300 |
| 4 | ₹21,700 | 24 | ₹39,400 |
| 5 | ₹22,400 | 25 | ₹40,600 |
| 6 | ₹23,100 | 26 | ₹41,800 |
| 7 | ₹23,800 | 27 | ₹43,100 |
| 8 | ₹24,500 | 28 | ₹44,400 |
| 9 | ₹25,200 | 29 | ₹45,700 |
| 10 | ₹26,000 | 30 | ₹47,100 |
| 11 | ₹26,800 | 31 | ₹48,500 |
| 12 | ₹27,600 | 32 | ₹50,000 |
| 13 | ₹28,400 | 33 | ₹51,500 |
| 14 | ₹29,300 | 34 | ₹53,000 |
| 15 | ₹30,200 | 35 | ₹54,600 |
| 16 | ₹31,100 | 36 | ₹56,200 |
| 17 | ₹32,000 | 37 | ₹57,900 |
| 18 | ₹33,000 | 38 | ₹59,600 |
| 19 | ₹34,000 | 39 | ₹61,400 |
| 20 | ₹35,000 | 40 | ₹63,200 |
Each cell is 3% above the previous one, rounded to the nearest ₹100, as in the 7th CPC pay matrix. See the full matrix in the 7th Pay Matrix calculator.
Allowances and Deductions in Pay Level 2
- Dearness allowance: 60% of basic pay from 1 January 2026, revised every January and July.
- House rent allowance: 30%, 20% or 10% of basic pay for X, Y and Z cities while DA is 50% or more, with minimums of ₹5,400, ₹3,600 and ₹1,800. No HRA in government quarters.
- Transport allowance: ₹1,350 in the higher TPTA cities and ₹900 elsewhere for Levels 1 and 2, or ₹3,600 and ₹1,800 once basic pay is ₹24,200 or more, plus DA on it.
- NPS: 10% of basic + DA from the employee; the Government adds 14%, which is not part of the salary.
- CGHS: ₹250 a month for Levels 1 to 5, where you are covered.
Posts in Pay Level 2
Common Central Government posts in Level 2 include:
- Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant (SSC CHSL);
- Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist and Trains Clerk in the Railways (RRB NTPC, undergraduate posts).
Your appointment order or pay slip shows your level. State governments have their own pay matrices; see the state-wise 7th pay matrix.
Promotion and MACP From Level 2
On promotion, you get one increment in Level 2 and are placed in the same or next higher cell of the new level. Under MACP, an employee who is not promoted moves to the next level (Level 3, from ₹21,700) after 10 years of regular service, and again after 20 and 30 years, subject to the benchmark.
Pay Level 2 and the 8th Pay Commission
The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted on 3 November 2025 and is due to report by about May 2027. Its fitment factor, the new Level 2 pay and the date of effect are not decided yet. Project your pay at any fitment factor with the 8th Pay Commission salary calculator.
About This Guide
How the Figures Are Worked Out
Level 2 cells are built from ₹19,900 at 3% steps rounded to ₹100, which gives the published maximum of ₹63,200. DA, HRA (with its minimum) and transport allowance follow the Central rates at 60% DA; NPS is 10% of basic + DA; income tax is a new-regime estimate for tax year 2026-27.
Assumptions and Limitations
- For Central Government employees in Level 2.
- CGHS, professional tax, special allowances and other deductions are not included.
- Your pay slip decides the actual figures.
Who This Guide Is For
Central Government employees in Level 2, candidates selected through SSC CHSL and RRB NTPC, and HR and accounts staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic pay in Pay Level 2?
₹19,900 at entry. Level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix runs from ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 over 40 cells; it replaced grade pay ₹1,900 in Pay Band-1.
What is the in-hand salary for Pay Level 2?
About ₹36,786 a month at entry in an X city with 60% DA, after NPS. It is about ₹34,076 in a Y city and ₹32,086 in a Z city.
What is the gross salary in Pay Level 2?
₹39,970 a month at entry in an X city: basic ₹19,900, DA ₹11,940, HRA ₹5,970 and transport allowance with DA ₹2,160.
Which grade pay is Pay Level 2?
Grade pay ₹1,900 in the 6th CPC Pay Band-1 (₹5,200–20,200) maps to Level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix.
How much DA is paid in Pay Level 2?
60% of basic pay from 1 January 2026: ₹11,940 at the entry pay of ₹19,900. DA is revised every January and July.
How much transport allowance does Level 2 get?
₹1,350 a month in the higher TPTA cities and ₹900 elsewhere, plus DA on it. From basic pay of ₹24,200 (cell 8 onwards), it rises to ₹3,600 and ₹1,800.
How much HRA is paid in Pay Level 2?
30%, 20% or 10% of basic pay in X, Y and Z cities while DA is 50% or more, with minimums of ₹5,400, ₹3,600 and ₹1,800: ₹5,970, ₹3,980 or ₹1,990 at entry pay.
Is income tax deducted on Pay Level 2 salary?
Not for most of the level. Under the new regime there is no tax up to ₹12 lakh of taxable income; in an X city at 60% DA, tax starts only from cell 34 (₹53,000).
Which posts come under Pay Level 2?
Lower Division Clerk / Junior Secretariat Assistant recruited through SSC CHSL, and Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist and Trains Clerk recruited through RRB NTPC. Your appointment order states your level.
What is the next level after Pay Level 2?
Level 3, starting at ₹21,700, or the level of the promotion post. Under MACP, an employee who is not promoted moves to the next level after 10, 20 and 30 years of service.