Pay Level 12 salary
Basic pay ₹78,800 to ₹2,09,200 (34 stages). In-hand estimates use DA 60% (January 2026).
| Service | Basic | In-hand (Y city) | In-hand (X city) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joining | ₹78,800 | ₹1,22,724 | ₹1,33,527 |
| 5 years | ₹91,400 | ₹1,38,671 | ₹1,49,834 |
| 10 years | ₹1,05,900 | ₹1,55,802 | ₹1,67,564 |
| 15 years | ₹1,22,900 | ₹1,74,648 | ₹1,87,067 |
| 20 years | ₹1,42,400 | ₹1,95,677 | ₹2,09,437 |
Assumes yearly increments and no promotion or MACP.
Who is at Level 12
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India; Junior Administrative Grade of Group A services (after about 9 years), typically a District Collector or Joint Commissioner; Chief Medical Officer.
No general competitive exam recruits directly at this level. You reach it by promotion, most often after entering a Group A service at Level 10 through an exam such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The only direct entries are a small number of specialist, medical, scientific and lateral-entry posts that UPSC advertises individually for people who already have experience.
Jobs you can join directly at Level 12
None of the posts profiled here starts at this level.
How people reach Level 12
Promotion steps from the posts profiled on this site. Timelines are typical ranges, not guarantees.
- Second-in-CommandStarting as Assistant Commandant (CAPF) · Further 5–8 years
- Senior Divisional Medical OfficerStarting as Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways) · After about 9–10 years
- Deputy Legislative Counsel (Grade III)Starting as Assistant Legislative Counsel (Indian Legal Service, Grade IV) · By promotion after the prescribed service
- Public Prosecutor / Chief ProsecutorStarting as Assistant Public Prosecutor (Delhi) · Further service
- Deputy SecretaryStarting as Assistant Section Officer (CSS) · Later in career
- Regional Provident Fund Commissioner Grade IStarting as Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (EPFO) · Further 5–8 years
- Junior Administrative Grade (Collector / Joint Secretary in state)Starting as IAS Officer (Indian Administrative Service) · After 9 years
- Joint CommissionerStarting as IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes) · After 9 years
- Joint CommissionerStarting as IRS Officer (Income Tax) · After 9 years
- Scientist / Engineer 'SE'Starting as Scientist / Engineer 'SC' (ISRO) · Further 4–5 years
- PrincipalStarting as Post Graduate Teacher (PGT), Kendriya Vidyalaya · Through departmental exam or direct recruitment
- Chief Medical OfficerStarting as Medical Officer, Central Health Service · After about 9–10 years, time-bound
- PrincipalStarting as Post Graduate Teacher, Delhi Government Schools (DSSSB) · Further service
- Specialist Grade II / Associate ProfessorStarting as Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor (Central Health Service) · Time-bound, after about 2 to 4 years