SSC CGL salary for 2026 ranges from ₹25,500 to ₹1,42,400 per month, depending on the post, pay level, and the city of posting. This article breaks down the complete SSC CGL salary structure: pay scale, in-hand salary after deductions, HRA/DA/TA rates by city category, post-wise pay levels, and the actual job profile attached to each post, so you know exactly what to expect once you clear the exam. Before applying to any government job, a candidate wants to know the salary packages, benefits, and allowances provided along with the salary.
SSC CGL Salary 2026: Quick Facts
Before exploring the detailed SSC CGL salary structure, check the key highlights of it, including pay levels, allowances, and in-hand salary.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Pay Commission Applicable | 7th Pay Commission |
| Salary Range | ₹25,500 – ₹1,42,400 per month |
| Pay Levels Covered | Level 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Highest-Paid Post | Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer (Level 8) |
| Entry-Level Posts | Tax Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant (Level 4) |
| In-Hand Salary Range (Approx.) | ₹35,000 – ₹85,000, depending on post and city |
| Key Allowances | DA, HRA, TA, Medical, Special Security Allowance (select posts) |
| Key Deductions | NPS, CGHS, CGEGIS, Income Tax (where applicable) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
This table gives you the full picture of SSC CGL salary 2026 at a glance. The sections below explain each component in detail.
SSC CGL Salary Structure 2026: Pay Level-Wise Breakdown
SSC CGL salary is structured around five pay levels, each carrying its own basic pay, grade pay, and gross salary range. The pay level assigned to a post determines almost everything else: HRA slab, allowance eligibility, and long-term promotion prospects.
| Pay Level | Pay Scale (₹) | Basic Pay (₹) | Grade Pay | Approx. Gross Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | 47,600 – 1,51,100 | 47,600 | 4,800 | ₹68,000 – ₹75,000 |
| Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 4,600 | ₹64,000 – ₹71,000 |
| Level 6 | 35,400 – 1,12,400 | 35,400 | 4,200 | ₹51,000 – ₹57,000 |
| Level 5 | 29,200 – 92,300 | 29,200 | 2,800 | ₹42,000 – ₹47,000 |
| Level 4 | 25,500 – 81,100 | 25,500 | 2,400 | ₹36,000 – ₹42,000 |
The gross salary figure shown here already factors in DA and city-wise HRA at an average rate — actual take-home will vary slightly based on your posting location and applicable deductions, explained further below.
| Pay Level-7 (₹ 44900 to 142400) | ||
| Name of Post | Ministry/Department/Office/Cadre | Classification of Post |
| Assistant Section Officer | Central Secretariat Service | Group “B” |
| Assistant Section Officer | Intelligence Bureau | Group “B” |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Railways | Group “B” |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of External Affairs | Group “B” |
| Assistant Section Officer | AFHQ | Group “B” |
| Assistant Section Officer | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | Group “B” |
| Assistant/Assistant Section Officer | Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations | Group “B” |
| Inspector of Income Tax | CBDT | Group “C” |
| Inspector, (Central Excise) | CBIC | Group “B” |
| Inspector (Preventive Officer) | ||
| Inspector (Examiner) | ||
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue | Group “B” |
| Sub Inspector | Central Bureau of Investigation | Group “B” |
| Inspector Posts | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications | Group “B” |
| Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance | Group “B” |
| Section Head | Director General of Foreign Trade | Group “B” |
| Pay Level-6 (₹ 35400 to 112400) | ||
| Assistant / Assistant Section Officer | Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations | Group “B” |
| Executive Assistant | CBIC | Group “B” |
| Research Assistant | National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) | Group “B” |
| Divisional Accountant | Offices under C&AG | Group “B” |
| Sub Inspector | National Investigation Agency (NIA) | Group “B” |
| Sub-Inspector/ Junior Intelligence Officer | Narcotics Control Bureau (MHA) | Group “B” |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. | Group “B” |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Ministry of Home Affairs | Group “B” |
| Office Superintendent | CBDT | Group “B” |
| Pay Level-5 (₹ 29200 to 92300) | ||
| Auditor | Offices under C&AG | Group “C” |
| Auditor | Offices under CGDA | Group “C” |
| Auditor | Other Ministry/ Departments | Group “C” |
| Accountant | Offices under C&AG | Group “C” |
| Accountant | Controller General of Accounts | Group “C” |
| Accountant/ Junior Accountant | Other Ministry/ Departments | Group “C” |
| Pay Level-4 (₹ 25500 to 81100) | ||
| Postal Assistant/ Sorting Assistant | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications | Group “C” |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant/ Upper Division Clerks | Central Govt. Offices/ Ministries other than CSCS cadres. | Group “C” |
| Senior Administrative Assistant | Military Engineering Services, Ministry of Defence | Group “C” |
| Tax Assistant | CBDT | Group “C” |
| Tax Assistant | CBIC | Group “C” |
| Sub-Inspector | Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance | Group “C” |
Also Read: SSC CGL Syllabus 2026 – Download Tier 1 and Tier 2 Syllabus PDF
SSC CGL Post-wise Salary Distribution
Here, we have provided post-wise SSC CGL salary distribution.
| SSC CGL Salary Structure 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post Name | Pay Level | Pay Scale (Rs.) | Basic Pay (Rs.) | Gross Salary Range (Rs.)- Approx |
| Inspector of Income Tax | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 75,000-80,000 |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 75,000-80,000 |
| Inspector (Preventive Officer) | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 75,000-80,000 |
| Inspector (Examiner) | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 75,000-80,000 |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 75,000-80,000 |
| Sub Inspector (CBI) | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 75,000-80,000 |
| Sub Inspector (NIA) | Level 6 | 35,400 – 1,12,400 | 35,400 | 55,000-60,000 |
| Assistant Section Officer | Level 7 | 44,900 – 1,42,400 | 44,900 | 75,000-80,000 |
| Divisional Accountant | Level 6 | 35,400 – 1,12,400 | 35,400 | 55,000-60,000 |
| Auditor | Level 5 | 29,200 – 92,300 | 29,200 | 50,000-52,000 |
| Tax Assistant | Level 4 | 25,500 – 81,100 | 25,500 | 40,000-45,000 |
| Accountant/Junior Accountant | Level 5 | 29,200 – 92,300 | 29,200 | 50,000-52,000 |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant | Level 4 | 25,500 – 81,100 | 25,500 | 40,000-45,000 |
| PA/SA | Level 4 | 25,500 – 81,100 | 29,200 | 40,000-45,000 |
SSC CGL In-Hand Salary 2026
Your in-hand SSC CGL salary is not the same as the basic pay or even the gross salary; it’s what actually reaches your bank account after allowances are added and mandatory deductions are subtracted.
In-hand salary = Basic Pay + DA + HRA + TA + Other applicable allowances − Deductions (NPS, CGHS, CGEGIS, professional tax, etc.)
On average, the SSC CGL in-hand salary works out as follows:
| Post Category | Approx. In-Hand Salary (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Level 4 posts (Tax Assistant, SSA) | ₹36,000 – ₹42,000 |
| Level 5 posts (Auditor, Accountant) | ₹42,000 – ₹48,000 |
| Level 6 posts (JSO, Divisional Accountant) | ₹51,000 – ₹58,000 |
| Level 7 posts (Inspector, ASO) | ₹64,000 – ₹72,000 |
| Level 8 posts (AAO/AAO) | ₹70,000 – ₹80,000 |
The exact figure depends heavily on your city of posting; metro cities attract a higher HRA slab, which directly bumps up your gross and in-hand pay compared to smaller towns.
Sample SSC CGL Salary Calculation (Delhi, Level 7 Post)
To understand how the numbers actually add up, here’s a worked example for an SSC CGL Level 7 post (Grade Pay ₹4,600) posted in Delhi, an X-category city:
| Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 44,900 |
| Dearness Allowance (merged into basic pay, revised half-yearly) | Included in basic pay |
| House Rent Allowance (27% of Basic Pay for X cities) | 12,123 |
| Transport Allowance (for Grade Pay above 4,200) | 3,600 |
| Approximate Gross Salary | ~60,600 |
| Less: NPS Contribution (10% of Basic Pay) | −4,490 |
| Less: CGHS + CGEGIS + other minor deductions | −800 (approx.) |
| Approximate In-Hand Salary | ~55,300 |
This is only an illustrative estimate; actual figures shift slightly with every DA revision and vary by exact posting location.
Read about: SSC CGL Cut Off Trends – Comprehensive Category-Wise Safe Score Blueprints
SSC CGL Allowances 2026
Beyond the basic pay, SSC CGL salary includes several allowances that meaningfully add to your total earnings:
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Calculated as a percentage of basic pay depending on the city classification (explained in the table below). HRA rates are revised by the government whenever DA crosses specific thresholds.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): A cost-of-living adjustment, revised twice a year (January and July), and eventually merged into the basic pay when it crosses 50%.
- Transport Allowance (TA): Fixed at ₹3,600 for postings in X-category cities and ₹1,800 for other locations, applicable for Grade Pay levels of 4,200 and above.
- Medical Allowance: The government reimburses medical treatment expenses for the employee and dependent family members upon claim submission.
- Special Security Allowance (SSA): Employees posted in sensitive organizations such as CBI, IB, or other security/intelligence agencies receive an additional allowance over their basic pay.
- Pension Benefits: SSC CGL employees are covered under the National Pension System (NPS), which builds a retirement corpus through monthly contributions from both employee and government.
HRA Rates by City Classification
| City Category | Cities Included | HRA (% of Basic Pay) |
|---|---|---|
| X (Metro) | Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune | 27% |
| Y (Tier-2) | Cities with a population above 5 lakh | 18% |
| Z (Rural/Others) | All remaining locations | 9% |
Note: HRA rates are periodically revised by the Finance Ministry in line with DA movement; the figures above reflect the currently applicable rates.
SSC CGL Salary Deductions
Like every central government post, SSC CGL salary is subject to a few standard monthly deductions:
- National Pension System (NPS): 10% of basic pay, matched by an equal government contribution
- Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS): A small fixed monthly contribution toward life insurance cover
- Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS): Nominal deduction for healthcare coverage
- Income Tax (TDS): Applicable only if annual taxable income crosses the exemption threshold, based on the employee’s chosen tax regime
These deductions are standard across almost all SSC CGL posts and are what separate your gross salary from your final in-hand salary.
Stay updated with the SSC CGL exam date for Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams
Original SSC CGL Salary Slip
A salary slip is an official monthly document issued by the government department where you are posted. It lists every component of your salary, all earnings and all deductions, in a standardised format. Here is what an SSC CGL salary slip typically looks like:
SSC CGL Job Profile: Post-Wise Duties
SSC CGL Salary is only one half of the picture; the day-to-day responsibilities differ significantly across posts, even within the same pay level.
| Post | Core Job Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer | Administrative and desk-based coordination work within the assigned ministry/department |
| Assistant | Clerical duties, file compilation, correspondence, and case tracking |
| Inspector of Income Tax | Assessing tax liability, processing refunds, and managing TDS-related matters |
| Inspector (Central Excise) | Preventing excise duty evasion, curbing smuggling, and supporting raid operations |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Investigating financial crimes such as money laundering and forgery |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI/NIA/NCB) | Gathering intelligence, conducting inquiries, and leading investigations |
| Junior Statistical Officer | Assisting in data collection, tabulation, and statistical documentation |
| Statistical Investigator Grade-II | Drafting survey reports and compiling statistical data |
| Auditor | Auditing expenditure records of state and central departments |
| Accountant / Junior Accountant | Processing bills, salaries, pensions, and office expenditure |
| Senior Secretariat Assistant / UDC | Maintaining records, files, and data entry at the clerical level |
| Tax Assistant | Verifying and processing individual/business tax records |
Understanding the job profile alongside the SSC CGL salary helps candidates make an informed choice while filling post preferences. A higher-paying post isn’t always the best fit if the role doesn’t match your interests or working style.
Explore SSC CGL best books for Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams.
SSC CGL Post Preference: Male vs Female Candidates
Since posting location and field duty requirements vary, candidates often prioritize different SSC CGL posts based on gender-specific convenience, field exposure, and desk vs. field nature of the role.
| Commonly Preferred by Male Candidates | Commonly Preferred by Female Candidates |
|---|---|
| Inspector (Examiner / Central Excise / Preventive Officer) | Auditor / Accountant |
| Income Tax Inspector | Tax Assistant |
| Assistant Enforcement Officer | Assistant Section Officer |
| Sub-Inspector (CBI) | Auditor (C&AG) |
| ASO in MEA / Railways / AFHQ | Accountant / Junior Accountant |
This is only a general preference trend based on the nature of postings (field vs. desk-based) — eligibility and application rules remain identical for all genders.
Conclusion
SSC CGL salary 2026 offers a strong combination of financial stability, allowances, and long-term growth, ranging from ₹25,500 at entry level to ₹1,42,400 for senior Pay Level 8 posts. Beyond the basic pay, allowances like HRA, DA, and TA meaningfully boost the take-home amount, while benefits like NPS-backed pension add long-term value. Since the exact in-hand figure depends on your post, pay level, and city of posting, it’s worth mapping out your preferred posts against both salary and job profile before filling your SSC CGL preference form.
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FAQs on SSC CGL Salary 2026
1. What is SSC CGL salary per month?
SSC CGL salary differs for each post and ranges between Rs 33,675 to 63,100, depending on the post’s pay level, with in-hand pay typically between ₹36,000 and ₹80,000 after allowances and deductions.
2. What is the highest SSC CGL salary post?
Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer under Pay Level 8 draw the highest SSC CGL salary, with a basic pay of ₹47,600.
3. What is the SSC CGL in-hand salary after deductions?
SSC CGL Salary 2026 ranges from ₹25,500 to ₹142,400. Know the SSC CGL in-hand salary for 2026, the per-month salary, the post-wise pay level, allowances, perks, job profile & post preferences for male and female candidates. Updated as per 7th Pay Commission.
4. Does SSC CGL salary vary by city?
Yes. HRA is calculated based on city classification — X (metro), Y (tier-2), and Z (other areas) — so the same post can have a different gross salary depending on posting location.
5. What is the basic pay for Level 8 in SSC CGL?
The basic pay for Level 8 posts (Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer) is ₹47,600.
6. Is DA included in SSC CGL basic pay?
Dearness Allowance is a separate component revised twice a year and is eventually merged into basic pay once it crosses the 50% threshold, as per government policy.
7. What allowances are included in SSC CGL salary?
Key allowances include House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), Dearness Allowance (DA), Medical Allowance, and Special Security Allowance for select posts.
8. Which SSC CGL post has the lowest salary?
Posts under Pay Level 4 — such as Tax Assistant and Senior Secretariat Assistant — carry the lowest starting basic pay of ₹25,500.
9. Does SSC CGL offer pension benefits?
Yes, SSC CGL employees are covered under the National Pension System (NPS), with monthly contributions from both employee and government.
10. What is the SSC CGL salary structure for Inspector posts?
Inspector posts (Income Tax, Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner) fall under Pay Level 7, with a basic pay of ₹44,900 and gross salary typically between ₹64,000-71,000.
11. Is there a difference in SSC CGL salary for male and female candidates?
No, the salary structure is identical for all candidates regardless of gender — only post preference trends differ based on job nature.
12. How much tax is deducted from SSC CGL salary?
Income tax is deducted only if annual taxable income exceeds the exemption limit under the applicable tax regime — most entry-level posts fall below this threshold in the initial years.
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