Status as of 14 October 2026
The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted on 3 November 2025 (Terms of Reference approved on 28 October 2025). Its Chairperson is Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, with Prof. Pulak Ghosh (Member, part-time) and Pankaj Jain (Member-Secretary). The report is due by about May 2027. Confirmed
HRA today is 30% / 20% / 10% of basic pay in X / Y / Z cities, because DA has crossed 50%. DA is 60% from 1 January 2026. Confirmed
No 8th CPC HRA rate or fitment factor has been announced. All 8th CPC HRA figures below are Estimate.
Last verified: 14 October 2026
House Rent Allowance (HRA) is one of the largest parts of a central government salary. This guide gives the current 7th CPC HRA rates and rules, shows how HRA changed the last time a pay commission reset basic pay, and estimates what the 8th CPC could mean, with every assumption shown.
Current HRA rates (7th CPC)
| City class | Rate from 1 Jul 2017 | After DA crossed 25% | Now (DA crossed 50%) | Minimum HRA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | 24% | 27% | 30% | ₹5,400 |
| Y | 16% | 18% | 20% | ₹3,600 |
| Z | 8% | 9% | 10% | ₹1,800 |
Source: DoE OM No. 2/5/2017-E.II(B), 7 Jul 2017, paras 1–3. Confirmed DA reached 50% from 1 Jan 2024 and is 60% from 1 Jan 2026 (PIB). Confirmed “Basic pay” means pay in the pay matrix level only; it excludes NPA, MSP and special pay (para 4).
X cities in the 2017 OM annexure: Delhi, Greater Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Pune. Y cities are listed state by state; all other places are Z (OM annexure). Confirmed Check DoE for any later reclassification order before relying on a city’s class.
Current HRA calculator formula
HRA = basic pay × city rate (but not below the minimum for that class).
Example: Level 7, basic pay ₹44,900. HRA = ₹13,470 in an X city, ₹8,980 in a Y city, ₹4,490 in a Z city. Estimate
What happened to HRA at the last pay commission
When the 7th CPC raised basic pay by 2.57 times, it cut HRA rates from 30/20/10% to 24/16/8%, because the higher basic pay already raised the rupee amount. The government added the ₹5,400 / ₹3,600 / ₹1,800 floors and decided the rates would rise back to 27/18/9% when DA crossed 25%, and to 30/20/10% when DA crossed 50% (DoE press note, 28 Jun 2017). Confirmed
So it is wrong to assume HRA stays at 30% on the new basic pay. The 8th CPC is required to review all allowances and recommend rationalisation (Gazette resolution, para 2(d)). Confirmed
Estimated 8th CPC HRA (illustration)
Level 7, basic pay ₹44,900, X city. The columns show a reset to 24% (as happened in 2017) and an unchanged 30%. Factors are illustrative; none has been announced. Estimate
| Fitment factor | Revised basic pay | HRA at 24% | HRA at 30% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | ₹89,800 | ₹21,552 | ₹26,940 |
| 2.28 | ₹1,02,372 | ₹24,569 | ₹30,712 |
| 2.57 | ₹1,15,393 | ₹27,694 | ₹34,618 |
Today: ₹44,900 × 30% = ₹13,470. All other figures are our estimates. Estimate
Staff-side bodies have asked for all allowances to be raised three times, with separate arguments for HRA (NC-JCM staff side circular, Apr 2026). Demand
To estimate your full salary at different fitment factors, use our 8th Pay Commission salary calculator.
Updated 19 October 2026 · HRA is 30% / 20% / 10% of basic pay in X / Y / Z cities. DA is 60% from 1 January 2026. No 8th CPC HRA rate is fixed yet. Confirmed
8th Pay Commission HRA calculator: HRA by pay level today
Until the 8th CPC is implemented, your HRA is paid at 7th CPC rates. This table shows HRA at the first cell of each level.
| Pay level | Basic pay (entry cell) | X city (30%) | Y city (20%) | Z city (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹5,400 | ₹3,600 | ₹1,800 |
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹5,970 | ₹3,980 | ₹1,990 |
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹6,510 | ₹4,340 | ₹2,170 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹7,650 | ₹5,100 | ₹2,550 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹8,760 | ₹5,840 | ₹2,920 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹10,620 | ₹7,080 | ₹3,540 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹13,470 | ₹8,980 | ₹4,490 |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹14,280 | ₹9,520 | ₹4,760 |
| Level 9 | ₹53,100 | ₹15,930 | ₹10,620 | ₹5,310 |
| Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹16,830 | ₹11,220 | ₹5,610 |
| Level 11 | ₹67,700 | ₹20,310 | ₹13,540 | ₹6,770 |
| Level 12 | ₹78,800 | ₹23,640 | ₹15,760 | ₹7,880 |
Level 1 entry pay (₹18,000) gives exactly the minimum HRA. So at today’s rates, the minimum only matters if rates are cut again.
Not at the entry cell? Find your exact basic pay in the 7th CPC pay matrix and use the steps below.
How to calculate HRA in 4 steps
- Take your basic pay from the pay matrix. Do not add DA, NPA, MSP or special pay.
- Check your city class: X, Y or Z (listed in the 2017 OM annexure).
- Multiply: 30% for X, 20% for Y, 10% for Z.
- If the answer is below ₹5,400 / ₹3,600 / ₹1,800, you get the minimum.
Worked example: Level 4 in a Y city, today and under the 8th CPC
Basic pay ₹25,500 (Level 4 entry). Y city.
- HRA today: ₹25,500 × 20% = ₹5,100 a month. Current rule
- Gross pay today in our 7th CPC salary calculator adds DA 60% (₹15,300) and TA.
Now an 8th CPC illustration. We show two HRA rates: 16% (if Y rates are cut, as in 2017) and 20% (unchanged).
| Fitment factor (assumed) | Revised basic pay | HRA at 16% | HRA at 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.28 | ₹58,140 | ₹9,302 | ₹11,628 |
| 2.57 | ₹65,535 | ₹10,486 | ₹13,107 |
Even with a rate cut, HRA in rupees would still rise by about 80% or more, because basic pay rises. In 2017 too, the rate fell but the amount went up.
To see full salary at these factors, use the 8th Pay Commission salary calculator. Track DA on the DA hike tracker.
8th Pay Commission HRA calculator: more FAQs
How is HRA calculated for central government employees?
HRA = basic pay × 30% (X city), 20% (Y city) or 10% (Z city). Example: ₹35,400 basic in a Z city gives ₹3,540.
Is HRA calculated on basic pay plus DA?
No. HRA is worked out on basic pay in the pay matrix only. DA, NPA, MSP and special pay are not added.
What is the minimum HRA in X, Y and Z cities?
₹5,400 in X cities, ₹3,600 in Y cities and ₹1,800 in Z cities, under the DoE OM of 7 July 2017.
How much HRA does a Level 7 employee get in Delhi?
Delhi is an X city. At the Level 7 entry cell, ₹44,900 × 30% = ₹13,470 a month.
What will the HRA rate be in the 8th Pay Commission?
Not announced. The 8th CPC will review all allowances. Its report is not out yet, so any 8th CPC HRA figure is an estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Will HRA increase automatically when DA crosses 50%?
It already has. Under the 2017 OM, HRA went to 30/20/10% once DA crossed 50%. That was the last step in the OM; there is no further automatic increase under the 7th CPC. Confirmed
Will HRA be 30% of the new basic pay under the 8th CPC?
Not known. In 2017 the rate was cut to 24% when basic pay was revised. The 8th CPC will recommend new rates. Estimate
Who heads the 8th Pay Commission?
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (Chairperson), with Prof. Pulak Ghosh (Member, part-time) and Pankaj Jain (Member-Secretary) (8cpc.gov.in). Confirmed
Source & accuracy
Last verified: 14 October 2026
Official sources: PIB, 28 Oct 2025: Cabinet approves 8th CPC Terms of Reference · Gazette of India, Resolution F. No. 01-01/2025-E.III(A), 3 Nov 2025 · 8cpc.gov.in: Composition · PIB, 18 Apr 2026: DA/DR 60% from 1 Jan 2026 · DoE OM No. 2/5/2017-E.II(B), 7 Jul 2017 (HRA) · DoE press note on 7th CPC allowances, 28 Jun 2017
Status labels: Confirmed official source linked · Proposed put forward but not decided · Demand staff-side/union demand · Estimate our calculation, not an official figure
8thpaycalculator.in/ is an independent website, not a Government site. Figures are for information only; please verify with your DDO, PAO or pension disbursing authority. Found an error? Report it. Read our Editorial Policy. Prepared by the 8thpaycalculator.in/ Editorial Team.
