Pay Level 18 starts at a basic pay of ₹2,50,000 (fixed). With DA at 63% from 1 July 2026, the entry gross salary is ₹4,94,236 a month in an X city and about ₹3,24,929 in hand.
X cities are the big metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune); Y cities are other large cities and state capitals; everywhere else is Z. Transport allowance is at the higher (TPTA) rate in X and Y cities. The government also adds 14% of basic + DA (₹57,050) to your NPS account.
📊 Level 18 pay matrix: all 1 cells
Cell
Basic pay
DA (63%)
Gross (X city)
In-hand (X city)
Cell 1
₹2,50,000
₹1,57,500
₹4,94,236
₹3,24,929
Level 18 is a fixed pay with no increments.
ℹ️ About Level 18
Old grade pay (6th CPC)
₹90,000 fixed
Old pay band
Cabinet Secretary
Typical posts
Cabinet Secretary and equivalent
Number of cells
1
Entry → maximum basic
₹2,50,000 → ₹2,50,000
Entry annual gross (X city)
₹59,30,832
Examples of posts are typical; the exact level depends on the department's recruitment rules.
At the entry basic of ₹2,50,000 and DA 63%, in-hand salary is about ₹3,24,929 (X city), ₹3,08,509 (Y city) and ₹2,88,235 (Z city) a month, after NPS, CGHS, CGEGIS and estimated income tax.
What was the grade pay for Level 18?
Level 18 corresponds to the 6th CPC grade pay ₹90,000 fixed in Cabinet Secretary.
How much is DA on Level 18 basic pay?
At 63%, DA on the entry basic of ₹2,50,000 is ₹1,57,500 a month.