SSC CHSL vs CGL Salary 2026: Quick Answer
At the new 63% Dearness Allowance (from 1 July 2026), an SSC CHSL LDC/JSA (Pay Level 2) takes home about Rs 37,364 a month in an X-class city, while an SSC CGL Inspector or ASO (Pay Level 7) takes home about Rs 85,206, roughly 2.3 times more. Even CGL's lowest posts (Level 4, Rs 25,500 basic) start where CHSL's best-paid DEO posts start, so the salary gap between the two exams is decided by the pay level of the post you get.
As of 31 Oct 2026, the pay levels are from the official SSC notices: the SSC CHSL 2026 notice (Para 1.1 to 1.3) and the SSC CGL 2026 notice (Para 2.1 to 2.5). The DA rate is from the PIB release of 28 October 2026, in which the Union Cabinet approved a 3% rise over the existing 60%, effective 01.07.2026. All gross and in-hand figures below are our approximate calculations, not numbers printed by SSC.
This page vs our other comparison: for eligibility, Tier 1 and Tier 2 pattern and which exam is easier, read SSC CGL vs CHSL 2026: full difference. This page goes deeper on one question only: how much more does a CGL post pay than a CHSL post, now and after 5 to 10 years?
SSC CHSL vs CGL Pay Level and Starting Basic Pay (Official)
| Pay Level (basic pay range) | SSC CHSL 2026 posts | SSC CGL 2026 posts |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 (Rs 19,900 to Rs 63,200) | Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | None |
| Level 4 (Rs 25,500 to Rs 81,100) | Data Entry Operator (DEO), DEO Grade 'A' | Tax Assistant, Postal/Sorting Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant/UDC, Sub-Inspector (CBN) and others |
| Level 5 (Rs 29,200 to Rs 92,300) | DEO (in some offices) | Auditor, Accountant, Junior Accountant |
| Level 6 (Rs 35,400 to Rs 1,12,400) | None | Junior Statistical Officer, Divisional Accountant, Sub-Inspector (NIA), Executive Assistant and others |
| Level 7 (Rs 44,900 to Rs 1,42,400) | None | Assistant Section Officer, Inspector (Income Tax / Central Excise / Examiner / Preventive Officer), Inspector Posts, Sub-Inspector (CBI), Assistant Enforcement Officer |
| Level 8 (Rs 47,600 to Rs 1,51,100) | None | Assistant Audit Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer |
What the table shows: CHSL tops out at Level 5 on entry; CGL starts at Level 4. The two exams overlap only at Levels 4 and 5, where a CHSL DEO and a CGL Tax Assistant or Auditor earn the same basic pay. For the full post lists, see our SSC CHSL salary 2026 and SSC CGL salary 2026 notes.
SSC CHSL vs CGL In-Hand Salary 2026 at 63% DA (X-Class City)
| Exam and post | Level / basic | DA 63% | HRA 30% | TA with DA | Gross (approx) | NPS 10% | In-hand before tax (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHSL LDC / JSA | L2 / Rs 19,900 | Rs 12,537 | Rs 5,970 | Rs 2,201 | Rs 40,608 | Rs 3,244 | Rs 37,364 |
| CHSL DEO / CGL Tax Assistant, UDC | L4 / Rs 25,500 | Rs 16,065 | Rs 7,650 | Rs 5,868 | Rs 55,083 | Rs 4,157 | Rs 50,926 |
| CHSL DEO / CGL Auditor, Accountant | L5 / Rs 29,200 | Rs 18,396 | Rs 8,760 | Rs 5,868 | Rs 62,224 | Rs 4,760 | Rs 57,464 |
| CGL JSO, SI (NIA) | L6 / Rs 35,400 | Rs 22,302 | Rs 10,620 | Rs 5,868 | Rs 74,190 | Rs 5,770 | Rs 68,420 |
| CGL ASO, Inspector, SI (CBI) | L7 / Rs 44,900 | Rs 28,287 | Rs 13,470 | Rs 5,868 | Rs 92,525 | Rs 7,319 | Rs 85,206 |
| CGL AAO | L8 / Rs 47,600 | Rs 29,988 | Rs 14,280 | Rs 5,868 | Rs 97,736 | Rs 7,759 | Rs 89,977 |
Method (our calculation): basic pay (first cell of the level) + DA at 63% + HRA at 30% (X city) + Transport Allowance with 63% DA on it, minus the employee's NPS share of 10% of (basic + DA). TA is Rs 1,350 + DA for Level 2 below Rs 24,200 pay and Rs 3,600 + DA for Levels 3 to 8 in the cities listed in the Department of Expenditure TA order. Income tax, professional tax, CGEGIS and department-specific allowances are left out. Because the Department of Expenditure order for the July 2026 instalment was not seen when this page was written, arrears for July to October are not shown.
Salary in Y and Z Cities: CHSL vs CGL
In Y and Z cities, HRA falls to 20% and 10% of basic, and TA falls to the "other places" rate (Rs 900 + DA for Level 2; Rs 1,800 + DA for Levels 3 to 8).
| Level (example post) | Gross, Y city | In-hand, Y city | Gross, Z town | In-hand, Z town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L2 (CHSL LDC) | Rs 37,884 | Rs 34,640 | Rs 35,894 | Rs 32,650 |
| L4 (CHSL DEO, CGL Tax Assistant) | Rs 49,599 | Rs 45,442 | Rs 47,049 | Rs 42,892 |
| L5 (CGL Auditor) | Rs 56,370 | Rs 51,610 | Rs 53,450 | Rs 48,690 |
| L6 (CGL JSO) | Rs 67,716 | Rs 61,946 | Rs 64,176 | Rs 58,406 |
| L7 (CGL Inspector, ASO) | Rs 85,101 | Rs 77,782 | Rs 80,611 | Rs 73,292 |
| L8 (CGL AAO) | Rs 90,042 | Rs 82,283 | Rs 85,282 | Rs 77,523 |
So even in a Z-class town, a CGL Level 7 employee takes home more than double a CHSL LDC in a metro (about Rs 73,292 vs Rs 37,364).
Monthly Gap: How Much More Does CGL Pay Than CHSL?
| Comparison (X city, in-hand before tax) | Monthly gap (approx) | Yearly gap (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| CGL Level 7 (Inspector/ASO) vs CHSL LDC | Rs 47,842 | about Rs 5.74 lakh |
| CGL Level 4 (Tax Assistant) vs CHSL LDC | Rs 13,562 | about Rs 1.63 lakh |
| CGL Level 4 vs CHSL DEO Level 4 | Nil (same level) | Nil |
The yearly figures are the monthly gap multiplied by 12 and ignore increments, tax and arrears. They show the point that matters for your preparation: the CGL premium is large only if you clear CGL with a rank good enough for Level 6 to 8 posts.
SSC CHSL vs CGL Salary After 5 and 10 Years
Every central government employee gets one annual increment of about 3%, which moves the basic pay one cell up in the 7th CPC pay matrix. The table uses the matrix cells reached after 5 and 10 increments, with no promotion assumed.
| Level (example post) | Starting basic | Basic after 5 increments | Basic after 10 increments | Gross after 5 increments, X city (approx, 63% DA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L2 (CHSL LDC) | Rs 19,900 | Rs 23,100 | Rs 26,800 | Rs 46,784 |
| L4 (CHSL DEO, CGL Tax Assistant) | Rs 25,500 | Rs 29,600 | Rs 34,300 | Rs 62,996 |
| L5 (CGL Auditor) | Rs 29,200 | Rs 33,900 | Rs 39,200 | Rs 71,295 |
| L6 (CGL JSO) | Rs 35,400 | Rs 41,100 | Rs 47,600 | Rs 85,191 |
| L7 (CGL Inspector, ASO) | Rs 44,900 | Rs 52,000 | Rs 60,400 | Rs 1,06,228 |
| L8 (CGL AAO) | Rs 47,600 | Rs 55,200 | Rs 64,100 | Rs 1,12,404 |
These are illustrations, held at today's 63% DA. In real life DA is revised twice a year and the 8th Pay Commission may bring a new pay matrix, so treat the growth figures as a guide to the gap, not a promise of pay.
MACP: the guaranteed upgrade in both exams
Under the DoPT's Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (consolidated OM), a Group B or C employee who is not promoted gets a financial upgrade to the immediate next pay level after 10, 20 and 30 years of service (or 10 years in the same level, whichever is earlier), subject to the "Very Good" APAR benchmark. For a CHSL LDC that means Level 3 after 10 years without promotion; for a CGL Inspector it means Level 8. MACP raises pay only, not the post or designation.
Which Pays More in the Long Run: CHSL or CGL?
- CGL, almost always. It starts higher (Level 4 to 8), and MACP and promotions build on a higher base.
- The overlap is real: a CHSL DEO at Level 4 or 5 earns exactly what a CGL Tax Assistant, UDC, Auditor or Accountant earns.
- CHSL is still worth writing if you are a graduate under 27: its Tier 1 syllabus overlaps with CGL, and a CHSL job does not stop you from writing CGL later.
- CHSL Tier 1 2026 runs 30 November to 31 December 2026 (SSC notice, 01.10.2026), so CHSL candidates should prepare now and keep CGL as the next target. Exam updates: SSC CHSL hub and SSC CGL hub.
SSC CHSL vs CGL Salary FAQs
What is the SSC CHSL vs CGL salary difference in hand?
In an X-class city at 63% DA, a CHSL LDC gets about Rs 37,364 and a CGL Level 7 Inspector or ASO about Rs 85,206 a month before income tax (our calculation). The gap is about Rs 47,842 a month.
Is CHSL DEO salary equal to CGL salary?
For some posts, yes. DEO is in Level 4 or 5, the same levels as CGL's Tax Assistant, UDC (Level 4) and Auditor, Accountant (Level 5). The basic pay and allowances are identical at the same level and city.
CHSL aur CGL mein kiski salary zyada hai?
CGL ki. CGL posts Level 4 se Level 8 tak hain (basic Rs 25,500 se Rs 47,600), jabki CHSL posts Level 2, 4 aur 5 mein hain (basic Rs 19,900 se Rs 29,200). 63% DA par X city mein CGL Inspector ki in-hand lagbhag Rs 85,206 aur CHSL LDC ki lagbhag Rs 37,364 banti hai.
Did the 63% DA change the gap between CHSL and CGL?
Yes, slightly. DA is a percentage of basic pay, so the 3% rise adds Rs 597 to a Level 2 basic of Rs 19,900 but Rs 1,347 to a Level 7 basic of Rs 44,900. Higher levels gain more in rupees from every DA hike.
Kya CHSL wale employee CGL de sakte hain?
Haan. Central government mein naukri karte hue bhi aap CGL de sakte hain, agar aap age aur qualification ki shartein poori karte hain. Iske liye departmental permission (NOC) ke niyam apne office se confirm karein.
Will the 8th Pay Commission change these figures?
Yes, once a new pay matrix is notified. As of 31 Oct 2026 no 8th CPC pay matrix or fitment factor has been notified, so CHSL and CGL salaries are still paid on the 7th CPC levels shown above.
Related Notes and Practice
- Full exam comparison: SSC CGL vs CHSL 2026
- Salary deep dives: SSC CHSL salary 2026 and SSC CGL salary 2026
- Eligibility: SSC CHSL eligibility and age limit 2026 and SSC CGL eligibility 2026
- Syllabus: SSC CHSL syllabus 2026 and SSC CGL exam pattern 2026
- Jobs: SSC CHSL 2026 and SSC CGL 2026
- Hubs: SSC CHSL and SSC CGL