The 7th CPC pay matrix explained
Updated 11 October 2026
The pay matrix is the grid that sets basic pay for central government employees under the 7th CPC. Each column is a level (Level 1 to Level 18, plus 13A), roughly matching the seniority of a post, and each row is a cell, a step of pay within that level. Your annual increment moves you one cell down, and a promotion or MACP upgrade moves you across to the next level.
Levels and entry pay
Each level starts at an entry pay. The table also shows the 6th CPC grade pay that each level replaced, since many people still describe their post that way.
| Level | Entry basic pay | Old grade pay | Number of cells |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹1,800 | 40 |
| 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹1,900 | 40 |
| 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹2,000 | 40 |
| 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹2,400 | 40 |
| 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹2,800 | 40 |
| 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹4,200 | 40 |
| 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹4,600 | 40 |
| 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹4,800 | 40 |
| 9 | ₹53,100 | ₹5,400 (PB-2) | 40 |
| 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹5,400 (PB-3) | 40 |
| 11 | ₹67,700 | ₹6,600 | 39 |
| 12 | ₹78,800 | ₹7,600 | 34 |
| 13 | ₹1,23,100 | ₹8,700 | 20 |
| 13A | ₹1,31,100 | ₹8,900 | 18 |
| 14 | ₹1,44,200 | ₹10,000 | 15 |
| 15 | ₹1,82,200 | HAG | 8 |
| 16 | ₹2,05,400 | HAG+ | 4 |
| 17 | ₹2,25,000 | Apex (fixed) | 1 |
| 18 | ₹2,50,000 | Cabinet Secretary (fixed) | 1 |
Broadly, Levels 1 to 5 are Group C posts, Levels 6 to 9 are Group B, and Level 10 upwards is Group A, though the group depends on the post. Level 13's entry pay was revised from ₹1,18,500 to ₹1,23,100 with effect from 1 January 2016. Each level has its own page, for example Level 7 salary or Level 10 salary, and the full grid is on the pay matrix page.
How cells are built
Every cell is the one above it multiplied by 1.03 (a 3% rise), then rounded to the nearest ₹100. That is why your annual increment is 3% of basic pay, give or take the rounding.
Because the rounding is to the nearest ₹100, a cell is sometimes a little below an exact 3% rise and sometimes a little above. The published matrix is the final word if a calculation ever differs.
Annual increments
- There are two increment dates, 1 January and 1 July. Which one is yours depends on when you joined or were last promoted or upgraded, and you need at least six months in the level by that date.
- On the increment date you move one cell down in the same level.
- Your DA, HRA and NPS contribution are all percentages of basic pay, so they rise with each increment too.
Pay fixation on promotion
When you are promoted to a higher level, your pay is fixed in two steps:
- You get one notional increment in your current level (move one cell down).
- That figure is located in the new level. If an equal cell exists, you are placed there; if not, you go to the next higher cell.
Employees can usually opt to have pay fixed from the date of promotion or from their next increment date, whichever suits them better. The pay fixation calculator runs both steps for any level. The same method applies to MACP upgrades.
Basic pay is not your salary
The matrix gives only basic pay. Gross pay adds DA (60% of basic from 1 January 2026), HRA (30%, 20% or 10% of basic by city class), transport allowance with DA on it, and any post-specific allowances. Use the 7th CPC salary calculator to turn any cell into monthly gross and in-hand pay, and see salary slip components for each line.