Quick Answer: A GNM nurse in a regular government job (staff nurse or nursing officer) gets Pay Level 7, a basic pay of ₹44,900. In-hand salary per month is about ₹78,000–₹90,000 at central hospitals like AIIMS, ESIC and Railways, ₹60,000–₹70,000 in most state jobs, and ₹15,000–₹35,000 in private hospitals.
GNM salary per month depends mostly on one thing: where you work. The same GNM diploma can pay you ₹16,000 in a small private nursing home and close to ₹90,000 at a central government hospital in a metro city.
This guide covers GNM salary in hand, pay scale, a full salary slip calculation, state-wise pay, NHM contract pay, private hospital salaries and promotion levels, all updated for 2026.
Note: Figures are based on the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix, official recruitment notifications and current DA rates. They may change with DA revisions and new pay orders.
GNM Salary Overview 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), 3-year diploma |
| Govt post name | Staff Nurse / Nursing Officer / Nursing Superintendent (Railways) |
| Pay Level (regular govt job) | Level 7 (7th Pay Commission) |
| Old pay band | ₹9,300–₹34,800 + Grade Pay ₹4,600 |
| Basic pay | ₹44,900 per month |
| Gross salary (central govt) | ₹86,000–₹98,000 per month |
| In-hand salary (central govt) | ₹78,000–₹90,000 per month |
| In-hand salary (state govt) | ₹60,000–₹70,000 per month (approx.) |
| NHM contract salary | ₹16,000–₹27,500 per month |
| Private hospital salary | ₹15,000–₹35,000 per month (freshers) |
| Annual package (central govt) | ₹10.3 lakh–₹11.8 lakh (gross) |
GNM Pay Scale & Pay Level (7th Pay Commission)
In regular government jobs, a GNM-qualified staff nurse is placed in Pay Level 7 of the 7th Pay Commission. This was Pay Band 2 (₹9,300–₹34,800) with Grade Pay ₹4,600 before 2016.
The Level 7 pay range runs from ₹44,900 to ₹1,42,400. You start at ₹44,900, and your basic grows by about 3% every year through annual increments.
Not every government post is Level 7, though. Some organisations place nurses lower:
| Organisation / Post | Pay Level | Starting Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS / NORCET Nursing Officer | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| ESIC Staff Nurse | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| Railways (RRB) Nursing Superintendent | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| DSSSB Grade A Nurse (Delhi) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| State Staff Nurse (UP, Bihar, Haryana) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| ITBP / CAPF Staff Nurse | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Some state institutes & autonomous bodies | Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
Can GNM nurses get Level 7 central jobs? Yes. AIIMS NORCET, Railway nursing posts and many ESIC posts accept GNM diploma holders, usually with 2 years of hospital experience for NORCET. So GNM does not stop you from the top-paying government nursing jobs.
GNM Salary Per Month — In-Hand Calculation
Here is a realistic salary slip for a newly joined GNM nursing officer at a central government hospital (AIIMS, ESIC, Railways), at the current DA of 60%.
| Component | X City (Delhi, Mumbai etc.) | Y City (Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur etc.) | Z City (smaller towns) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹44,900 | ₹44,900 | ₹44,900 |
| DA (60%) | ₹26,940 | ₹26,940 | ₹26,940 |
| HRA (30% / 20% / 10%) | ₹13,470 | ₹8,980 | ₹4,490 |
| Transport Allowance (with DA) | ₹5,760 | ₹2,880 | ₹2,880 |
| Nursing Allowance | ₹7,200 | ₹7,200 | ₹7,200 |
| Gross Salary | ₹98,270 | ₹90,900 | ₹86,410 |
| NPS (10% of Basic + DA) | −₹7,184 | −₹7,184 | −₹7,184 |
| CGHS | −₹650 | −₹650 | −₹650 |
| CGEGIS | −₹60 | −₹60 | −₹60 |
| Income Tax (new regime) | Nil* | Nil* | Nil* |
| In-Hand Salary | ≈ ₹90,400 | ≈ ₹83,000 | ≈ ₹78,500 |
*At this salary, most freshers pay no income tax under the new tax regime after the standard deduction and the employer’s NPS contribution are counted. Your tax can differ if you have other income.
A few points to keep in mind:
- Nursing allowance is ₹7,200 at base level. Several institutes have revised it upward after DA crossed 50%, so your slip may show more.
- HRA is not paid if you live in government quarters. Your in-hand drops, but you save on rent.
- Uniform allowance (paid yearly) is not included in the monthly table above.
- DA update: Based on the final price index data, DA from July 2026 is set to rise to 63%. Once the Union Cabinet approves it, a new GNM nursing officer gets about ₹1,350 more DA per month, plus arrears from July.
Allowances & Benefits for GNM Nurses
A government GNM salary is much more than basic pay. These are the main add-ons:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): 60% of basic pay right now, revised twice a year (January and July).
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 30%, 20% or 10% of basic, depending on whether the city is X, Y or Z class.
- Transport Allowance: ₹3,600 or ₹1,800 per month plus DA on it.
- Nursing Allowance: A fixed monthly allowance only for nursing staff.
- Uniform Allowance: Paid once a year for uniforms and their upkeep.
- Night Duty Allowance: For night shifts, as per eligibility rules.
- Medical facility: CGHS or the hospital’s own free treatment for you and your family.
- NPS / UPS pension: The government adds 14% of your basic + DA to your pension account every month.
- Leave: Earned leave, casual leave, and 180 days of maternity leave for women.
- LTC: Leave travel concession for home town and all-India travel as per rules.
State-Wise GNM Salary
Regular state staff nurse jobs and NHM contract jobs pay very differently. Many aspirants mix up the two, so here they are separately.
Regular State Government Staff Nurse (GNM)
| State | Recruiting Body | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approx. In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | UPSSSC / Medical Colleges | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹60,000–₹70,000 |
| Bihar | BTSC (Staff Nurse Grade A) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹55,000–₹65,000 |
| Haryana | HSSC | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹60,000–₹70,000 |
| Delhi | DSSSB (Grade A Nurse) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹80,000–₹90,000 |
| Other states | State SSB / Health Dept | State pay matrix | Varies | ₹40,000–₹70,000 |
State in-hand pay is lower than central pay mainly because state DA, HRA and nursing allowances are set by each state and are often smaller. Check your state’s latest DA order for the exact figure.
NHM Contract Staff Nurse / GNM Salary (2026 Notifications)
| State | Post | Monthly Pay (Consolidated) |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Staff Nurse (NHM) | ₹21,000 |
| Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram) | Staff Nurse | ₹20,500 |
| Assam | Staff Nurse | ₹20,000 |
| Maharashtra (Raigad) | Staff Nurse | ₹20,000 |
| Jharkhand | GNM (NCD Clinic) | ₹18,900 |
| Jharkhand | Staff Nurse (RMNCH+A / SNCU) | ₹16,564 |
NHM jobs are on yearly contracts. You get a fixed amount with no DA, no HRA and no pension, but some states give a yearly hike on renewal and weightage in regular recruitment.
GNM Salary in Private Hospitals
Private hospital pay for GNM nurses is much lower at the start but varies a lot by city and hospital brand.
| Experience | Small Hospitals / Tier-2 Cities | Corporate Hospitals / Metros |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher (0–2 years) | ₹12,000–₹20,000 | ₹18,000–₹30,000 |
| 2–5 years | ₹20,000–₹30,000 | ₹28,000–₹40,000 |
| 5–10 years (ICU, OT, ward in-charge) | ₹30,000–₹40,000 | ₹40,000–₹60,000 |
ICU, NICU, OT, dialysis and emergency nurses usually earn ₹3,000–₹8,000 more per month than general ward nurses in private hospitals.
GNM Salary After Promotion / Career Growth
In central institutes like AIIMS, promotion follows a fixed ladder. Timelines below are typical and depend on vacancies and recruitment rules.
| Post | Pay Level | Starting Basic Pay | Typical Service Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Officer | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | Entry |
| Senior Nursing Officer | Level 8 | ₹47,600 | 2–5 years |
| Assistant Nursing Superintendent | Level 9 | ₹53,100 | 8–12 years |
| Deputy Nursing Superintendent | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | 13–17 years |
| Nursing Superintendent | Level 11 | ₹67,700 | 18–22 years |
| Chief Nursing Officer | Level 12–13 | ₹78,800 and above | Senior-most |
Beyond promotions, you also get MACP upgrades at 10, 20 and 30 years of service if no promotion comes in time. Many GNM nurses also complete Post Basic B.Sc Nursing to move faster into tutor and supervisory roles.
Job Profile & Duties of a GNM Nurse
- Giving medicines, injections and IV fluids as prescribed
- Monitoring vital signs and keeping patient records
- Assisting doctors in wards, OT, ICU and emergency
- Handling deliveries and newborn care (the “midwifery” part of GNM)
- Infection control, wound care and dressing
- Patient and family counselling on care after discharge
- Supervising ANMs and ward attendants in many settings
Eligibility & Selection Process
- Qualification: 10+2 (Science with Biology preferred) followed by the 3-year GNM diploma from an INC-recognised school
- Registration: Valid registration with the State Nursing Council is compulsory
- Experience: Some central exams (like AIIMS NORCET) ask GNM holders for 2 years of experience in a hospital
- Age limit: Usually 18 to 30–40 years, with relaxation for reserved categories
- Selection: Written exam (NORCET, RRB, ESIC, state SSB exams), document verification and medical test; NHM jobs often use merit or interviews
GNM Salary vs Similar Posts
| Post | Typical Pay Level | Starting Basic Pay | Approx. In-Hand (Govt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNM Staff Nurse / Nursing Officer | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹60,000–₹90,000 |
| B.Sc Nursing Staff Nurse | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹60,000–₹90,000 |
| ANM | Level 4–5 | ₹25,500–₹29,200 | ₹30,000–₹42,000 |
| Pharmacist | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹38,000–₹50,000 |
| Lab Technician | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹38,000–₹50,000 |
| Community Health Officer (NHM) | Contract | ~₹25,000 + incentives | ₹25,000–₹40,000 |
In regular government jobs, GNM and B.Sc Nursing nurses usually start at the same Level 7 pay. The B.Sc degree helps more with later promotions and teaching jobs.
FAQs
What is the GNM salary per month in a government job?
A GNM nurse in a regular government job gets a basic pay of ₹44,900 (Level 7). In-hand salary is around ₹78,000–₹90,000 at central hospitals and ₹60,000–₹70,000 in most state jobs.
GNM ki salary kitni hoti hai?
Sarkari naukri mein GNM nurse ki basic pay ₹44,900 hoti hai. Central hospitals mein in-hand salary lagbhag ₹78,000–₹90,000 aur private hospital mein ₹15,000–₹35,000 mahina hoti hai.
What is the GNM salary in a private hospital?
Freshers usually earn ₹12,000–₹30,000 per month depending on city and hospital. With 5+ years of experience in ICU or OT, pay can reach ₹40,000–₹60,000 in corporate hospitals.
What is the AIIMS GNM nurse salary?
AIIMS nursing officers, including GNM holders selected through NORCET, start at Level 7 with ₹44,900 basic. In-hand pay is roughly ₹78,000–₹90,000 depending on city and HRA.
What is the pay level of a GNM staff nurse?
Most regular staff nurse posts are in Level 7 (old Grade Pay ₹4,600). Some forces and institutes use Level 5 or Level 6.
Can a GNM nurse earn ₹1 lakh per month?
Yes. A central government nursing officer crosses ₹1 lakh gross within a few years through DA hikes and increments, and a Senior Nursing Officer in a metro city earns well above it.
Is GNM salary the same as B.Sc Nursing salary?
In government jobs, starting pay is mostly the same (Level 7). In private hospitals, B.Sc Nursing graduates often get ₹2,000–₹5,000 more per month at the start.
How much will GNM salary increase under the 8th Pay Commission?
The 8th Pay Commission has been set up, but the new pay matrix is not final yet. GNM nurses will get the revised pay once the government accepts its recommendations.
Final Thoughts
GNM salary per month ranges from about ₹16,000 on an NHM contract to nearly ₹90,000 in hand at a central hospital in a metro. The biggest jump comes from clearing a regular government exam like AIIMS NORCET, ESIC, RRB or your state’s staff nurse recruitment.
If you are starting out in a private hospital, use those years to build ICU or OT experience. That experience helps you qualify for NORCET and pushes you into the Level 7 pay band much faster.
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