Quick Answer: The post master salary in India depends on the grade. A Postmaster Grade I (Pay Level 5) gets a basic pay of ₹29,200 and an in-hand salary of about ₹47,800–₹56,500 per month. Grade III (Level 7) starts at ₹44,900 basic. A GDS Branch Postmaster earns ₹12,000–₹29,380 TRCA plus DA.
The post master salary is one of the most searched pay topics in India Post, and for good reason. “Postmaster” is not a single post. It covers several grades, from the Branch Postmaster of a village post office to the Senior Postmaster who runs a big Head Post Office.
In this guide, you will find the exact pay level of every postmaster grade, a full in-hand salary calculation at the current 60% DA, city-wise pay, allowances, promotions and how to become a postmaster.
Note: All figures are based on the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix, Department of Posts rules and the latest DA order. Actual pay may change with DA revisions.
Post Master Salary Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Posts (India Post), Ministry of Communications |
| Post name | Postmaster (Grade I, II, III), Senior Postmaster, Branch Postmaster |
| Pay level | Level 5 to Level 8 (departmental); TRCA for Branch Postmaster |
| Starting basic pay | ₹29,200 (Postmaster Grade I) |
| Gross salary | ₹52,500 – ₹61,200 per month (Grade I) |
| In-hand salary | ₹47,800 – ₹56,500 per month (Grade I) |
| Annual package | ₹6.3 lakh – ₹7.35 lakh (Grade I) |
| Current DA | 60% of basic pay (from 1 January 2026) |
| Pension | NPS / UPS (for joiners after 2004) |
Post Master Pay Scale & Pay Level (7th Pay Commission)
India Post created a separate Postmaster cadre so that experienced Postal Assistants could manage post offices as a career track. Each grade is linked to a fixed level in the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. The basic pay for a level is the same across India.
| Postmaster Grade | Old Grade Pay (6th CPC) | 7th CPC Pay Level | Basic Pay Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branch Postmaster (GDS) | – | TRCA Level 1 / Level 2 | ₹12,000–₹29,380 / ₹14,500–₹35,480 |
| Postmaster Grade I | ₹2,800 | Level 5 | ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 |
| Postmaster Grade II | ₹4,200 | Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Postmaster Grade III | ₹4,600 | Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Senior Postmaster (Group B) | ₹4,800 | Level 8 (Level 9 after 4 years) | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| Chief Postmaster (IPoS, Group A) | ₹6,600 and above | Level 11 to 13 | ₹67,700 onwards |
Every year, basic pay rises by 3% through the annual increment, usually on 1 January or 1 July.
Post Master Salary Per Month – In-Hand Calculation
The in-hand salary depends on three things: your pay level, your city class (X, Y or Z for HRA) and your deductions. The tables below use DA at 60%, HRA at 30%/20%/10% and Transport Allowance of ₹3,600 (larger notified cities) or ₹1,800 (other places), plus DA on TA.
Postmaster Grade I Salary (Level 5)
| Component | X City (e.g. Delhi) | Z City (small town) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹29,200 | ₹29,200 |
| DA (60%) | ₹17,520 | ₹17,520 |
| HRA (30% / 10%) | ₹8,760 | ₹2,920 |
| TA + DA on TA | ₹5,760 | ₹2,880 |
| Gross Salary | ₹61,240 | ₹52,520 |
| NPS (10% of Basic + DA) | – ₹4,672 | – ₹4,672 |
| CGEGIS | – ₹30 | – ₹30 |
| In-Hand Salary | ≈ ₹56,500 | ≈ ₹47,800 |
In-Hand Salary of All Postmaster Grades
| Grade | Basic Pay | Gross (X City) | In-Hand (X City) | In-Hand (Z City) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postmaster Grade I (L-5) | ₹29,200 | ₹61,240 | ≈ ₹56,500 | ≈ ₹47,800 |
| Postmaster Grade II (L-6) | ₹35,400 | ₹73,020 | ≈ ₹67,300 | ≈ ₹57,300 |
| Postmaster Grade III (L-7) | ₹44,900 | ₹91,070 | ≈ ₹83,800 | ≈ ₹72,000 |
| Senior Postmaster (L-8) | ₹47,600 | ₹96,200 | ≈ ₹88,500 | ≈ ₹76,100 |
Professional tax (up to about ₹200–₹208 per month) is cut only in states that levy it, such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and Bihar.
Is income tax deducted? Under the new tax regime, income up to ₹12 lakh is tax-free after rebate, and salaried people also get a ₹75,000 standard deduction. So most Postmasters up to Grade III and Senior Postmaster at the entry stage pay little or no income tax.
Branch Postmaster (GDS) Salary
Many people searching “post master salary” actually mean the Branch Postmaster (BPM) of a village post office. A BPM is a Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), not a regular departmental employee. So BPM pay is not on the pay matrix. It is paid as Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) plus DA.
| TRCA Slab | Working Hours | TRCA Range |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 4 hours | ₹12,000 – ₹29,380 |
| Level 2 | 5 hours | ₹14,500 – ₹35,480 |
BPM In-Hand Salary (Starting)
| Component | 4-Hour Slab | 5-Hour Slab |
|---|---|---|
| TRCA | ₹12,000 | ₹14,500 |
| DA (60%) | ₹7,200 | ₹8,700 |
| Gross | ₹19,200 | ₹23,200 |
| Approx. In-Hand | ≈ ₹19,000 | ≈ ₹23,000 |
BPMs also get a 3% annual increment on TRCA, office maintenance allowance, cash conveyance charges and incentives for business like postal savings, insurance and India Post Payments Bank accounts.
Allowances & Benefits of a Postmaster
A departmental Postmaster gets the full set of central government benefits:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Currently 60% of basic pay, revised twice a year. The July 2026 revision is still awaited.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 30% (X city), 20% (Y city), 10% (Z city) of basic pay, if no government quarter is taken.
- Transport Allowance: ₹3,600 in larger notified cities, ₹1,800 elsewhere, plus DA on it.
- Government quarters: Many Head Post Offices have attached staff quarters for the Postmaster.
- Medical: CGHS facility or medical reimbursement for self and family.
- Leave: 30 days Earned Leave, 8 days Casual Leave, Half Pay Leave, plus maternity/paternity and child care leave.
- LTC: Leave Travel Concession for home town and all-India travel.
- Children Education Allowance: For up to two children.
- Pension: NPS with 14% government contribution, or the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for those who opt for it.
- Bonus: Productivity Linked Bonus for eligible non-gazetted staff.
City-Wise / State-Wise Post Master Salary
Basic pay of a Postmaster is the same in every state, because it is a central government post. What changes is HRA (city class), Transport Allowance and professional tax. The table below shows Postmaster Grade I (Level 5) pay in major cities.
| City (State) | HRA Class | Gross Salary | Approx. In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | X | ₹61,240 | ₹56,500 |
| Mumbai (Maharashtra) | X | ₹61,240 | ₹56,300 |
| Bengaluru (Karnataka) | X | ₹61,240 | ₹56,300 |
| Kolkata (West Bengal) | X | ₹61,240 | ₹56,300 |
| Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | X | ₹61,240 | ₹56,300 |
| Hyderabad (Telangana) | X | ₹61,240 | ₹56,300 |
| Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) | Y | ₹58,320 | ₹53,600 |
| Jaipur (Rajasthan) | Y | ₹58,320 | ₹53,600 |
| Patna (Bihar) | Y | ₹58,320 | ₹53,400 |
| Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) | Y | ₹55,440 | ₹50,500 |
| Small towns & rural areas | Z | ₹52,520 | ₹47,800 |
Post Master Salary After Promotion – Career Growth
The Postmaster cadre has a clear promotion ladder. Apart from regular promotions, employees also get financial upgrades under MACP after 10, 20 and 30 years of service if they are not promoted.
| Stage | Pay Level | Starting Basic | Approx. In-Hand (X City) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postal Assistant (entry) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ≈ ₹50,000 |
| Postmaster Grade I | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ≈ ₹56,500 |
| Postmaster Grade II | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ≈ ₹67,300 |
| Postmaster Grade III | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ≈ ₹83,800 |
| Senior Postmaster | Level 8 → 9 | ₹47,600 → ₹53,100 | ≈ ₹88,500+ |
| Chief Postmaster (via IPoS / Group A) | Level 11–13 | ₹67,700+ | ₹1.2 lakh+ |
A Branch Postmaster can move to the regular cadre by clearing the departmental exam for MTS or Postman, and later Postal Assistant.
Job Profile & Duties of a Postmaster
- Runs the day-to-day work of the post office and supervises staff
- Manages cash, stamps and daily accounts of the office
- Handles savings schemes like SB, RD, PPF, SSY, NSC and KVP
- Oversees speed post, registered post, parcels and mail delivery
- Manages Postal Life Insurance and India Post Payments Bank work
- Resolves public complaints and sends reports to the divisional office
- A Branch Postmaster handles all these tasks for one village branch office, often single-handed
Eligibility & Selection Process
- Branch Postmaster (GDS): Class 10 pass with Maths, English and the local language. Selection is purely on merit of 10th marks, with no written exam or interview. Age 18–40 years (relaxation for reserved categories).
- Postmaster Grade I: Filled through a Limited Departmental Competitive Exam (LDCE) among Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants with the required years of regular service (typically five).
- Postal Assistant (feeder post): Recruited through SSC CHSL or departmental exams, with 12th pass as the minimum qualification.
- Grade II, Grade III and Senior Postmaster: Through promotion and departmental exams based on service and seniority.
Post Master Salary vs Similar Posts
| Post | Pay Level | Starting Basic | Approx. In-Hand (X City) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDS Branch Postmaster | TRCA | ₹12,000 | ≈ ₹19,000 |
| Postman | Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ≈ ₹43,000 |
| SSC GD Constable | Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ≈ ₹38,000–₹43,000 |
| Postal Assistant | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ≈ ₹50,000 |
| Postmaster Grade I | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ≈ ₹56,500 |
| Sub Inspector (central forces) | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ≈ ₹67,000 |
| Inspector of Posts | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ≈ ₹83,800 |
FAQs
What is the salary of a Post Master in India per month?
A Postmaster Grade I gets ₹29,200 basic pay and about ₹47,800–₹56,500 in hand per month, depending on the city. Higher grades earn up to about ₹88,500 in hand at the entry stage.
Post master ki salary kitni hoti hai?
Postmaster Grade I ki basic salary ₹29,200 hai aur in-hand salary lagbhag ₹48,000 se ₹56,500 per month hoti hai. Branch Postmaster (GDS) ko ₹12,000 TRCA aur DA milakar lagbhag ₹19,000 milte hain.
What is the salary of a Branch Postmaster (BPM)?
A BPM gets TRCA of ₹12,000–₹29,380 (4-hour slab) or ₹14,500–₹35,480 (5-hour slab), plus DA. The starting in-hand pay is around ₹19,000 per month.
What is the pay level of Postmaster Grade 1?
Postmaster Grade I is placed in Pay Level 5 of the 7th Pay Commission matrix, with a pay range of ₹29,200 to ₹92,300.
Is Postmaster a gazetted post?
Postmaster Grade I is a Group C post, while Grade II and III are Group B non-gazetted. The Senior Postmaster is a Group B gazetted officer, and Chief Postmasters are Group A officers.
How can I become a Postmaster?
For a village post office, apply for the GDS Branch Postmaster post with a Class 10 pass. For the departmental Postmaster cadre, join as a Postal Assistant through SSC CHSL and then clear the Postmaster Grade I departmental exam.
Does a Postmaster get a government house?
Yes, many Head Post Offices and some Sub Post Offices have attached quarters. A Postmaster who takes a government quarter does not get HRA.
Will the 8th Pay Commission increase Postmaster salary?
Yes, the 8th Pay Commission will revise the pay of all central government employees, including Postmasters. Its recommendations are still awaited, so the new figures are not yet confirmed.
Final Thoughts
The post master salary ranges from about ₹19,000 for a village Branch Postmaster to nearly ₹88,500 in hand for a Senior Postmaster, with even higher pay for Chief Postmasters. Add steady DA hikes, housing, medical cover and a clear promotion ladder, and it becomes one of the most secure career paths in India Post. Keep an eye on the pending July 2026 DA hike and the 8th Pay Commission, as both will push these figures higher.
Also read Bihar Daroga Salary 2026: Pay Scale, In-Hand Pay, Allowances & Promotion
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