CTET salary and job profile
Pay scale, in-hand salary and the job itself for CTET.
Part of the CTET hub · conducted by CBSE.
Salary, Benefits, and First-Year Reality for Central School Teachers
Salary, Benefits, and First-Year Reality for Central School Teachers
A CTET-qualified teacher at a central government school earns between ₹47,000 and ₹65,000 per month in-hand salary, depending on qualification level and city, plus pension, health insurance, and annual leave. This section shows you the real money and benefits you get in your first year.
Salary Structure Under 7th Pay Commission
The Ministry of Education applies the 7th Pay Commission salary rules to all central school teachers hired through CTET. Your take-home depends on whether you are a TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher) or PGT (Post Graduate Teacher).
TGT (Class VI–VIII, non-specialist subjects): Basic pay starts at ₹35,400. Add Dearness Allowance (DA, currently around 42%), House Rent Allowance (HRA, 24–27% based on city tier), and other allowances. Monthly in-hand: ₹47,000–₹52,000 in non-metro cities; ₹54,000–₹58,000 in metros like Delhi.
PGT (Class IX–XII, specialist subjects like Maths, English, Science): Basic pay starts at ₹39,900. In-hand salary: ₹52,000–₹60,000 in non-metros; ₹60,000–₹65,000 in metros.
These figures include basic, DA, HRA, and dearness relief. They do not include one-time bonuses or arrears.
What You Get Beyond Salary
- Pension: Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBPS) or National Pension System (NPS) depending on your appointment date. After 20 years, you get 50% of average salary as monthly pension.
- Health Insurance: Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) covers you and your family. Out-patient and in-patient care at empanelled hospitals, no cost.
- Annual Leave: 20 days per year (can carry forward up to 300 days).
- Study Leave: Up to 2 years during your career for higher qualifications (M.Ed, M.Sc, etc.).
- Maternity/Paternity Benefit: 6 months paid leave.
- Gratuity: After 5 years of service, you receive one month's salary for every year worked (up to 16.5 months).
First-Year Reality: What Candidates Miss
Your first salary slip arrives 2–3 months after joining. Until then, you live on savings or family support. Many new teachers are shocked by deductions: income tax, professional tax (in some states), GPF (General Provident Fund) contribution at 10% of basic salary, and health insurance premium.
If you join in July, you may not get the full month's salary until September. Posting to a remote or hilly area (common for KVS or NVS) means higher HRA but higher living costs. A teacher posted to a Tier-2 city earns ₹48,000 but spends ₹12,000–₹15,000 on rent alone.
Salary Comparison: TGT vs PGT
From CTET to Central School Job: A Teacher's Real Journey From Exam to Appointment