Pay matrix and pay levels: how to read 'Level 6' in a notification

What a pay level is

Since the 7th Pay Commission, every central government post sits on one of the levels of a single pay matrix. A notification that says 'Pay Level 6 (₹35,400–1,12,400)' is telling you the starting basic pay and the highest basic pay you can reach while staying in that level.

Older notices and some state notices still use the earlier language of 'pay band and grade pay'. Grade pay 1,800 corresponds to Level 1, 2,800 to Level 5, 4,200 to Level 6, 4,600 to Level 7, and 5,400 in Pay Band 3 to Level 10.

Starting and maximum basic pay by level

These are basic pay figures only. DA, HRA and transport allowance are added on top; see the in-hand salary guide.

How you move within a level

Each level is a column of cells. Every year you move down one cell, which raises basic pay by about 3%, rounded to the nearest hundred rupees. Increments are given on 1 January or 1 July, depending on when you joined.

You move to a higher level through promotion, or through MACP if you are not promoted for a long time.

States, banks and defence are different

Many states use the same matrix or one very close to it, but some, such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal, have their own scales and their own DA rates. Banks, LIC and most public sector companies use entirely separate pay structures. Defence officers are on the matrix but also draw Military Service Pay.