Shift Duty Update
NIGHT DUTY ALLOWANCE (NDA)
Calculation & The ₹43,600 Ceiling Rule
(Do you work between 10 PM and 6 AM?)
⚡ Quick Answer: NDA Calculation
Night Duty Allowance (NDA) is calculated as (Basic Pay + DA) ÷ 200 for every hour of duty performed between 22:00 and 06:00 Hours.
Important: The Basic Pay used for this calculation is capped at a maximum of ₹43,600. Even if your salary is higher, the calculation will stop at this limit.
Jump To:
The Formula
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Calculation Examples
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Ceiling Limit Rule
If you are a Railway employee, a Nurse, or Defence staff performing duty at night, you are entitled to extra pay. But the calculation often confuses people. Is it based on your full salary or a fixed limit?
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1. The Golden Formula (Simplified)
Every hour of night work is given a “weightage” of 10 minutes. The government simplifies this into a standard hourly rate.
🧮 The Formula:
Hourly Rate = (Basic Pay + DA) / 200
*If your Basic Pay is above ₹43,600, use ₹43,600 in the formula instead of your actual pay.
2. Calculation Examples (Level 1 vs Level 7)
Let’s see the difference between a new employee and a senior officer.
Case A: Basic Pay ₹25,000
DA (50%): ₹12,500
Total: ₹37,500
Calculation: 37,500 ÷ 200
= ₹187.50 / Hour
Case B: Basic Pay ₹65,000
CEILING APPLIES
Restricted Base: ₹43,600 + DA
Total (Capped): ₹65,400
Calculation: 65,400 ÷ 200
= ₹327.00 / Hour (Fixed Max)
3. The 8th Pay Commission Context
The ₹43,600 ceiling is a major point of contention. Railway Unions have formally demanded the removal of this cap in the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. If accepted, senior staff (Level 7 and above) could see their NDA rates double.
📥
Official Reference:
DoPT OM No. A-27016/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 13.07.2020
🧮 KNOW YOUR EXACT RATE:
Verified By: Central Pay Analyst
Last Updated: Jan 2026
✓ Fact-Checked against DoPT Rules
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (NDA)
Does Night Duty Allowance include HRA or Transport Allowance?
No. NDA is calculated strictly on Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance (DA). Other allowances like HRA or TPTA are excluded from this calculation.
Is the ₹43,600 ceiling applicable to Level 1 employees?
No. Since Level 1 Basic Pay starts at ₹18,000, it is well below the limit. Level 1 to Level 5 employees generally get the benefit on their full actual salary.
Is NDA taxable?
Yes, Night Duty Allowance is treated as part of the salary income and is fully taxable under the Income Tax Act.