CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES NEWS

Quick updates for CG Staff and CG Pensioners


LATEST CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLYOEES NEWS
Central Government Holiday List 2024
Central Government Holiday List 2025 - Know the Complete List
53% DA Order for Central Govt Employees wef 01.07.2024 – Finmin Orders 2024
Revised Rates of HRA 27%, 18% and 9% from 01.01.2021
Reimbursement of Child Education Allowance Form PDF

7th CPC House Rent Allowance for Central Government Employees

7th CPC HRA

7th CPC House Rent Allowance for Central Govt Employees

Revised Rates of HRA 27%, 18% and 9% from 01.01.2021 

The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) has recommended a new House Rent Allowance (HRA) structure for Central Government employees. The HRA rates will vary depending on the type of city in which the employee resides. Here are the details:

1. X Category Cities: The employees posted in X category cities will receive an HRA of 27% of their basic pay.
2. Y Category Cities: The employees posted in Y category cities will receive an HRA of 18% of their basic pay.
3. Z Category Cities: The employees posted in Z category cities will receive an HRA of 9% of their basic pay.

It is important to note that as per the recommendations of the 7th CPC, the HRA will be calculated based on the employee’s basic pay plus dearness allowance (DA). The resulting amount will then be used to calculate the HRA based on the above-mentioned percentages.

In addition, the 7th CPC has recommended that employees who live in government accommodation should not be eligible for HRA. However, if government accommodation is not available, or the employee chooses not to occupy it, they will be entitled to receive the HRA based on the rates mentioned above.

Rates of HRA shall be revised to 27%, 18% and 9% for X, Y & Z class cities w.e.f. 1st January 2021 – Finmin Orders 2021 [View Detail in Order PDF]

The rates of HRA will not be less than Rs. 5400/-, 3600/- & 1800/- at X, Y & Z class cities respectively. The rates of HRA will be revised to 27% 18% & 9% for X, Y & Z class cities respectively when Dearness Allowance (DA) crosses 25% and further revised to 30%, 20% & 10% when DA crosses 50%.

Compendium of Instructions regarding grant of House Rent Allowance to Central Government employees

The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has issued various instructions from time to time regarding grant of House Rent Allowance to Central Government employees. The existing instructions have been reviewed and in supersession of all earlier instructions issued on the subject, a consolidated Master O.M. is hereby circulated for compliance by all Ministries/ Departments. [HRA Rules for Central Government Employees in detail PDF]

Allowances Applicable to Central Government Employees

Children Education Allowance, Risk Allowance, Night Duty Allowance, Over Time Allowance, Special Allowance and Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities are payable to Central Government Employees – [Dopt Orders 2022 PDF]

House Rent Allowance or HRA is one of the major salary elements for Central Government employees. The Cabinet Committee chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved increase the Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners with effect from 01.07.2021 to 28% to 31%  representing an increase of 11% + 3% over the existing rate of 17% of the Basic Pay/Pension.

The rates of HRA will not be less than Rs. 5400/-, 3600/- & 1800/- at X, Y & Z class cities respectively. The rates of HRA will be revised to 27% 18% & 9% for X, Y & Z class cities respectively when Dearness Allowance (DA) crosses 25% and further revised to 30%, 20% & 10% when DA crosses 50%.

House Rent Allowance (HRA) for CG Employees as per 7th CPC

The 6th CPC recommended 10 percent of the basic salary (Pay) for employees working in other cities. And now the 7th pay commission recommended 8% of matrix pay for other cities. But the minimum amount of HRA is Rs. 1,800 (The minimum basic pay is Rs. 18,000 and the minimum HRA is equal to 10%).

The Government of India issued an important order regarding the rates and entitlements of House Rent Allowance for Central Government employees on 7.7.2017 as per the decision on 7th pay commission report. The new revised rates (percentage) of HRA as per city classification with effect from 1st July 2021 as follows…

  • X Class Cities: 27 percent of Basic Pay
  • Y Class Cities: 18 percent of Basic Pay
  • Z Class Cities: 9 percent of Basic Pay

HRA Rules for Central Government Employees

Indian cities are classified according to the population for the purpose of House Rent Allowance (HRA) to Central Government Employees:

  • X Class Cities (Above 50 Lakh Population): 27% of Basic Salary
  • Y Class Cities (5 to 50 Lakh Population): 18% of Basic Salary
  • Z Class Cities (Below 5 Lakh Population): 9% of Basic Salary

HRA Calculation with minimum pay of all levels in 7th CPC Pay Matrix

The revised rates of HRA will not be less than Rs.5400 for X Class cities, Rs. 3600 for Y-class cities, and Rs. 1800 for Z-class cities. The below table denotes the minimum amount of HRA for pay level 1, pay level 2, and pay level 3.

Pay Matrix LevelMinimum Basic Salary (Pay)HRA 27%HRA 18%HRA 9%
Pay Level 1Rs. 18000Rs. 5400Rs. 3600Rs. 1800
Pay Level 2Rs. 19900Rs. 5400Rs. 3600Rs. 1800
Pay Level 3Rs. 21700Rs. 5400Rs. 3600Rs. 1800

More than 7 lakh employees are benefiting due to the enhancement of minimum HRA and the table shows the basic pay in the pay level of 1, pay level 2 and pay level 3.

7th CPC Pay Matrix Level 1 (Grade Pay 1800)
IndexBasic PayHRA 9% (Z Class Cities)HRA 18% (Y Class Cities)HRA 27% (X Class Cities)
1Rs. 18000Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
2Rs. 18500Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
3Rs. 19100Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
4Rs. 19700Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
5Rs. 20300Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
6Rs. 20900Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
7Rs. 21500Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
8Rs. 22100Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
7th CPC Pay Matrix Level 2 (Grade Pay 1900)
IndexBasic PayHRA 9% (Z Class Cities)HRA 18% (Y Class Cities)HRA 27% (X Class Cities)
1Rs. 19900Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
2Rs. 20500Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
3Rs. 21100Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
4Rs. 21700Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
5Rs. 22400Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
7th CPC Pay Matrix Level 3 (Grade Pay 2000)
IndexBasic PayHRA 9% (Z Class Cities)HRA 18% (Y Class Cities)HRA 27% (X Class Cities)
1Rs. 21700Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400
2Rs. 22400Rs. 1800Rs. 3600Rs. 5400

How to calculate HRA in salary?

All organizations including government and private fixes a certain percentage of basic salary to the employees for the purpose of house rent expenses. The HRA percentage is fixed according to the classification of cities and towns. The amount of HRA is calculated as per the basic salary of an employee.

If an employee gets Rs. 48,000 as basic salary means, the HRA amount will be calculated as follows:

27% of basic salary: (48,000 x 27) /100 = 12,960
18% of basic salary: (48,000 x 18) /100 = 8640
9% of basic salary: (48,000 x 9) /100 = 4320

The House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be revised for Central Government employees from 1st July 2021

After the Cabinet approval on DA hike by 11% from the existing rate of 17%, the new cumulative DA has been enhanced to 28% from 1st July 2021. The hike of Dearness Allowance is also impacting the rate of House Rent Allowance (HRA). As per the 7th pay commission report, the rates of HRA will be revised to 27%, 18% and 9% for X, Y & Z class cities respectively when Dearness Allowance (DA) crosses 25 per cent and further revised to 30%, 20% and 10% when DA crosses 50%.

7th CPC Transport Allowance

*Minimum HRA of Rs. 5400, Rs. 3600 and Rs. 1800 for Class A, B, and C respectively. [Click here to view]

HRA will be revised to 30%, 20% & 10%

The rates of HRA will be revised to 27%, 18% and 9% for X, Y & Z class cities respectively when Dearness Allowance (DA) crosses 25 percent and further revised to 30%, 20% and 10% when DA crosses 50%.

Eligibility of HRA

The House Rent Allowance is admissible with reference to the place of office or duty. And it is not referenced with the residence of the employee.

CHECK ALSO: List of 7th Pay Commission Allowances

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a compensation for expenses in connection with the rent of the residential accommodation to be hired or leased by the employee and is graded based on the level of the employee.

Central Government Holiday List 2025 PDF

HRA Order 2021 PDF Download

All Central Government employees and officers are expecting the order for revising the House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per the recommendations of the 7th pay commission. Following the hike of Dearness Allowance to 28% from July 2021, the rates of HRA also enhance to 9%, 18%, and 27% according to the classification of cities and towns. The House rent Allowance is now paid at the rate of 24%, 16% and 8% for X,Y and Z cities. The rates of HRA will now be revised to 27%, 18% and 9% of Basic Pay in X,Y and Z cities since the Dearness Allowance (DA) crossed 25% level. We are expecting from the Ministry of finance, will issue the HRA order very soon.

Classification of Cities for HRA after 7th Pay Commission

Indian cities are classified as three categories (X Cities, Y Cities and Z Cities) for the purpose of House Rent Allowance as per the population record. The ‘X’ Class and ‘Y” Class cities and towns are denoting in the below table as State wise and the other cities are under ‘Z’ Class.

READ ALSO: 197 Seventh CPC Allowances-Government Gazette Notification issued on 6.7.2017

State-wise List of X Y Z Classification of Cities in India – Central Govt House Rent Allowance (HRA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

Classified ‘X’ City (24% HRA)

  • Hyderabad (UA)

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Vijayawada (UA)
  • Warangal (UA)
  • Greater Visakahapatnam (M.Corpn.)
  • Guntur (UA)
  • Nellore (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Assam

Classified ‘Y’ City (16% HRA)

  • Guwahati (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Bihar

Classified ‘Y’ City (16% HRA)

  • Patna (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Chandigarh

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Chandigarh (UA)
  • S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali*

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Chhattisgarh

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Durg-Bhilai Nagar (UA)
  • Raipur (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Delhi

Classified ‘X’ Cities (24% HRA)

  • Delhi(UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Gujarat

Classified ‘X’ Cities (24% HRA)

  • Ahmadabad (UA)

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Rajkot (UA)
  • Jamnagar (UA)
  • Bhavnagar (UA)
  • Vadodara (UA)
  • Surat (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Haryana

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Faridabad* (M.Corpn.)
  • Gurgaon* (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Jammu & Kashmir

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Srinagar (UA)
  • Jammu(UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Jharkhand

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Jamshedpur (UA)
  • Dhanbad (UA)
  • Ranchi (UA)
  • Bokaro Steel City (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Karnataka

Classified ‘X’ Cities (24% HRA)

  • Bengalore / Bengaluru (UA)

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Belgaum (UA)
  • Hubli-Dharwad (M.Corpn.)
  • Mangalore (UA)
  • Mysore (UA)
  • Gulbarga (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Kerala

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Kozhikoda (UA)
  • Kochi (UA)
  • Thiruvanathapuram (UA)
  • Thrissur (UA)
  • Malappuram (UA)
  • Kannur (UA)
  • Kollan (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Madhya Pradesh

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Gwalior (UA)
  • Indore (UA)
  • Bhopal (UA)
  • Jabalpur (UA)
  • Ujjain (M.Corpn.)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Maharashtra

Classified ‘X’ Cities (24% HRA)

  • Greater Mumbai (UA)
  • Pune (UA)

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Amravati (M.Corpn.)
  • Nagpur (UA)
  • Aurangabad (UA)
  • Nashik (UA)
  • Bhiwandi (UA)
  • Solapur (M.Corpn.)
  • Kolhapur (UA)
  • Vasai–Virar City (M.Corpn.)
  • Malegaon (UA)
  • Nanded-waghala (M.Corpn.)
  • Sangli (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Odisha

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Cuttack (UA)
  • Bhabaneswar (UA)
  • Raurkela (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Puducherry (Pondicherry)

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Puducherry / Pondicherry (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Punjab

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Amritsar (UA)
  • Jalandhar (UA)
  • Ludhiana (M.Coprn.)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Rajasthan

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Bikaner (M.Corpn.)
  • Jaipur (M.Corpn.)
  • Jodhpur (UA)
  • Kota (M.Corpn.)
  • Ajmer (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Tamil Nadu

Classified ‘X’ Cities (24% HRA)

  • Chennai (UA)

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Salem (UA)
  • Tiruppur (UA)
  • Coimbatore (UA)
  • Tiruchirappalli (UA)
  • Madurai (UA)
  • Erode (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Uttar Pradesh

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Moradabad (M.Corpn.)
  • Meerut (UA)
  • Ghaziabad* (UA)
  • Aligarh (UA)
  • Agra (UA)
  • Bareilly (UA)
  • Lucknow (UA)
  • Kanpur (UA)
  • Allahabad (UA)
  • Gorakhpur (UA)
  • Varanasi (UA)
  • Saharanpur (M.Corpn.)
  • Nodia* (CT)
  • Firozabad (NPP)
  • Jhansi (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in Uttarakhand

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Dehradun (UA)

List of Classification of Cities for HRA in West Bengal

Classified ‘X’ Cities (24% HRA)

  • Kolkata (UA)

Classified ‘Y’ Cities (16% HRA)

  • Asansol (UA)
  • Siliguri(UA)
  • Durgapur (UA)

Note:

  • S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali: Special sanction at par with Chandigarh
  • Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Noida: Base on dependency only for HRA
  • Saharanpur: Classified as Y class with effect from June 2011

Which are classified Z cities in India?

Initially, the cities were classified as A B C and then categorized as X, Y and Z. The remaining cities and towns in India which are not covered by classification as X or Y are classified as Z class cities for the purpose of HRA to Central Government employees.

HRA Exemption for Central Government employees

HRA Exemption from Income Tax

HRA Exemption Calculation and Calculator

A salaried employee can avail the benefit of exemption from Income Tax from his HRA (House Rent Allowance). As per the Income Tax Rules 10(13A) & Rule 2A House Rent Allowance least of the following is exempt

  • Actual HRA received in their salary slip
  • 40% of Salary (Basic Pay + DA) for Non Metros
  • 50% of Salary (Basic Pay + DA) for Metros (Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, Chennai)
  • Rent paid minus 10% of salary

If an employee is living in his own house or he does not pay any rent, he is not eligible for the above said exemption on HRA.

Who is not entitled to HRA?
The employees who are residing in government accommodation are not an entitlement to HRA.

What is the meaning of Basic Pay?
The word of Basic Pay is used in the calculation purpose of HRA, does not include any type of pay like special pay, Non-Practising Allowance (NPA), Military Service Pay (MSP), etc.

Minimum HRA Rs. 1,800 at the rate of 10%

The revised rates of HRA will not be less than Rs.5400 for X Class cities, Rs. 3600 for Y Class cities and Rs. 1800 for Z class cities. The below table denotes the minimum amount of HRA for pay level 1, pay level 2 and for pay level 3.

What is the Current Rate of HRA for Central Govt Employees?

The House Rent Allowance will be 27% of the basic salary for the employees working in class X cities and 18% of basic salary for class Y cities and for others 9% w.e.f. 1st January 2021.

What is the minimum HRA for Central Govt Employees?

fter the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, the House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be Rs. Rs. 5400, Rs. 3600, Rs. 1800 for X, Y and Z cities respectively.

Latest News on HRA:

  • Revised Rates of HRA 27%, 18% and 9% from 01.01.2021 – Finmin Orders 2021 November 5, 2021Read more…
  • Re-classification of Mathura Vrindavan Municipal Corporation as Y class cities for HRA to CPSE Employees August 31, 2021Read more…
  • HRA Revised to 27%,18% and 9% of Basic Pay to Central Govt Employees w.e.f. July 2021 August 18, 2021Read more…
  • HRA will be Revised to 27%,18% and 9% w.e.f July 2021 July 15, 2021Read more…
  • Central Government Employees House Rent Allowance (HRA) Will Rise in July 2020? June 7, 2020Read more…
  • Admissibility of HRA in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of Railway Residential Accommodation March 13, 2020Read more…
  • No Accommodation Certificate for Claiming House Rent Allowance February 14, 2020Read more…
  • 7th CPC HRA to PBOR of CAPF Personnel September 28, 2019Read more…
  • Haryana Government employees to Get New HRA Rates as per 7th CPC at par with Central Government Employees August 28, 2019Read more…
  • Revised rate of HRA to Haryana State Government employees as per 7th Pay Commission July 23, 2019Read more…
  • 7th CPC : Rates of HRA for Central Government Employees June 28, 2019Read more…
  • Admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation April 5, 2019Read more…
  • Dispensation of conditions of applying for Government Accommodation and furnishing of ‘No Accommodation Certificate’ for admissibility of House Rent Allowance March 25, 2019Read more…
  • Finance Ministry Clarification on House Rent Allowance On 05th March 2019 March 6, 2019Read more…
  • Abolition of Rent Free Accommodation Allowance – 7th CPC November 9, 2018Read more…
  • Additional HRA To Railway Employees Serving In The States Of NER, AN, Lakshadweep Islands And Ladakh October 11, 2018Read more…
  • Grant of Additional HRA to Central Govt Employees – Finmin Order 14.8.2018 August 16, 2018Read more…
  • Admissibility of HRA in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of Railway Residential Accommodation-NFIR May 11, 2018Read more…
  • Revised Rates of HRA for Karnataka Govt State Employees April 26, 2018Read more…
  • Small Family Norms in House Building Advance Rules 2017 as per the recommendations of 7th CPC February 12, 2018Read more…
  • Migration of Home Loan to Revised HBA – Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs February 12, 2018Read more…
  • Admissibility of HRA in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation January 26, 2018Read more…
  • Are you satisfied you’re HRA? December 26, 2017Read more…
  • 7th CPC-House Rent Allowance New Order Issued December 20, 2017Read more…
  • Admissibility of HRA during Study Leave – Railway Board Orders December 14, 2017Read more…
  • House Rent Allowance to Defence Personnel December 14, 2017Read more…
  • HRA Income Tax Exemption Calculator for Govt Employees November 25, 2017Read more…
  • 7th CPC-Additional HRA for Railway Employees November 16, 2017Read more…
  • Report of the Committee on Allowances-House Rent Allowance (HRA) October 30, 2017Read more…
  • 7th CPC House Rent Allowance – Finance Ministry issued orders with Classification of Cities July 8, 2017Read more…
  • Date of implementation of the allowances has created lot of anguish and serious discontentment in the CG Employees – NC JCM Secretary writes to Cabinet Secretary July 3, 2017Read more…
  • Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway employees posted to new Zones/new Divisions June 21, 2017Read more…
  • 7th CPC HRA – Justification for Retaining the Existing Rates of 10%, 20% and 30% May 13, 2017Read more…
  • Grant of HRA to Railway employees May 12, 2017Read more…
  • Issue of Admissibility of House Rent Allowance – Railway Board Orders March 18, 2017Read more…
  • Grant of HRA at Chandigarh rates to CG Employees Posted at S.A.S. Nagar Mohali February 7, 2017Read more…
  • Admissibility of HRA in case of residing in Govt. Guest House / Transit Facility – CGDA Orders January 9, 2017Read more…
  • HRA should be paid @ 35, 25 and 15% of pay – BPMS November 28, 2016Read more…
  • Admissibility of House Rent Allowance in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation August 3, 2016Read more…
  • 7th Pay Commission – Central Government To Soon Hike HRA August 3, 2016Read more…
  • 7th Pay Commission HRA and other allowances need be revised at the earliest – Confederation July 29, 2016Read more…
  • Percentage of HRA in 7th pay commission after cabinet approval June 30, 2016Read more…
  • Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway Employees posted to new zones/new divisions June 17, 2016Read more…
  • New form to claim tax rebate on LTA, HRA May 8, 2016Read more…
  • Grant of HRA at a higher rate (“B” Category) to the Central Government Servants Posted at Aizawl (Mizoram) – Court Case regarding March 16, 2016Read more…
  • House Rent Paid : 80GG has also been raised to 60,000 from 24,000 per annum March 1, 2016Read more…
  • 7th CPC recommendations on Pay Scale, MACP, HRA, TA, LTC, FMA – Views of Indian Audit & Accounts Department February 23, 2016Read more…
  • Issues related to House Rent Allowance : Views of Indian Audit & Accounts Department February 23, 2016Read more…
  • Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway employees posted to new Zones/new Divisions February 21, 2016Read more…
  • Denial of payment of HRA, Transport Allowance etc. to trainees appointed on compassionate ground in Grade Pay 1900/- in artisan category December 30, 2015Read more…