As of Monday, February 2, 2026, the starting gross salary for Central Government employees in Pay Level 3 (Constable GD / Driver / Clerk) is approximately ₹52,400 per month. This calculation is based on the projected Dearness Allowance (DA) rate of 62% effective from January 2026.
7th Pay Commission Level 3 Pay Matrix (2026)
Pay Level 3 corresponds to the pre-revised Grade Pay of ₹2000. It is the entry-level scale for the massive workforce of Constables (General Duty) in CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP), Drivers, and certain technical posts in Railways (Tech-III).
| Basic Pay Step | Amount (₹) | Increment Year (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Index 1 (Entry) | ₹21,700 | Year 1 |
| Index 2 | ₹22,400 | Year 2 |
| Index 3 | ₹23,100 | Year 3 |
| Index 4 | ₹23,800 | Year 4 |
| Index 8 (Mid-Career) | ₹26,800 | Year 8 |
Annual Increment: The annual increment for Level 3 is approximately ₹700. The Basic Pay moves from ₹21,700 to ₹22,400 in the second year.
Level 3 In-Hand Salary Calculation (X-Class City)
Below is the salary breakdown for a Constable (GD) posted in a Metro City.
| Component | Rate / Formula | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | Level 3, Cell 1 | 21,700 |
| DA (Jan 2026) | 62% of Basic | 13,454 |
| HRA (X-Class) | 30% of Basic | 6,510 |
| Transport Allowance | ₹3600 + DA (62%) | 5,832 |
| Gross Salary | — | ₹47,496 |
| Ration Money (RMA) | (If applicable) | ~3,000 |
| Total Gross | With RMA | ~₹50,496 |
| NPS Deduction | 10% (Basic+DA) | 3,515 |
| Net In-Hand | Approx | ~₹46,981 |
The “TPTA Jump” Rule: Pay Level 3 is the starting level where employees become eligible for the higher Transport Allowance rate of ₹3600 + DA (in higher TPTA cities). In comparison, Level 1 and Level 2 employees only get ₹1350 + DA. This makes Level 3 significantly more lucrative.
Level 3 Salary in Y & Z Class Cities
For employees posted in non-metro cities, the HRA and Transport Allowance adjust as follows:
- Y-Class City: HRA is 20% (₹4,340). TPTA is usually ₹1800 + DA. Gross Salary ≈ ₹43,000.
- Z-Class City: HRA is 10% (₹2,170). TPTA is ₹1800 + DA. Gross Salary ≈ ₹41,000.
Which posts fall under Pay Level 3?
The most common post is Constable (General Duty) in CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, etc.) and Delhi Police. Other posts include Staff Car Driver (Ordinary Grade), Technician-III (Railways), and Forest Guard.
Does Level 3 get higher Transport Allowance?
Yes. Unlike Level 1 and 2 (who get ₹1350/900 base), Level 3 employees are entitled to Transport Allowance at the rate of ₹3600 (High TPTA cities) or ₹1800 (Other places) plus DA.
हिंदी सारांश
7वें वेतन आयोग के लेवल 3 (Constable GD/Driver) की शुरुआती बेसिक सैलरी 21,700 रुपये है। जनवरी 2026 से 62% DA लागू होने पर, X-Class शहरों में कुल सैलरी (राशन मनी मिलाकर) लगभग 50,000 रुपये बनती है। लेवल 3 का सबसे बड़ा लाभ यह है कि इसमें ट्रांसपोर्ट अलाउंस (TPTA) लेवल 1 और 2 के मुकाबले दोगुना मिलता है। NPS और अन्य कटौतियों के बाद हाथ में लगभग 47,000 रुपये मिलेंगे।
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