HRA CITY LIST 2026 (X, Y, Z)
Effective Rates: 30%, 20%, 10% (Post-50% DA)
(Check if your city is in the 20% or 30% Slab)
⚡ Quick Answer: HRA Rates 2026
Since Dearness Allowance (DA) has crossed 50%, the House Rent Allowance (HRA) rates are automatically revised to the highest slab.
- 🏙️ X Class (50 Lakh+ Pop): 30% of Basic Pay
- 🏘️ Y Class (5 Lakh+ Pop): 20% of Basic Pay
- 🏡 Z Class (Below 5 Lakh): 10% of Basic Pay
The single biggest factor deciding your monthly salary is the “Class” of the city you are posted in. A transfer from a Z-class city to an X-class city instantly jumps your HRA from 10% to 30%.
*Tap to get updates.
1. The Population Rule (Census 2011)
The Government (DoE) classifies cities based strictly on population data. Note: The current classification is still based on the 2011 Census until the next official Census data is released.
| City Class | Population Criteria | HRA Rate (Post-50% DA) |
|---|---|---|
| X Class | 50 Lakhs & Above | 30% |
| Y Class | 5 Lakhs to 50 Lakhs | 20% |
| Z Class | Below 5 Lakhs | 10% |
2. City Lists (Is yours on the list?)
🏙️ X-Class Cities (30% HRA)
Mumbai
Kolkata
Chennai
Bengaluru
Hyderabad
Ahmedabad
Pune
🏘️ Major Y-Class Cities (20% HRA)
(Partial list of key cities. Includes most state capitals and industrial hubs.)
Lucknow
Kanpur
Nagpur
Indore
Patna
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
Surat
Ghaziabad
Coimbatore
*Note: Surat and Ghaziabad are strong contenders for X-Class upgrade in the next Census revision.
❓ HRA Common Questions
Will HRA decrease if DA crosses 50%?
No. HRA rates increase. They moved from 27/18/9 to 30/20/10 when DA crossed 50%.
Is HRA paid during Leave?
Yes, HRA is paid during all kinds of leave (EL/Medical) for the first 180 days.