Group a, B, C and D Government Posts Explained
Central government posts are classified into groups by pay level. The group tells you the seniority of a post and usually who recruits for it.
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The Groups at a Glance
| Group | Pay levels | Gazetted | Examples | Usually recruited by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Level 10 and above | Yes | Civil services, Group A engineering and medical services | UPSC |
| Group B | Levels 6 to 9 | Some posts | Assistant Section Officer, Inspectors, Assistant Audit Officer | SSC, UPSC for some posts |
| Group C | Levels 1 to 5 | No | Clerks, assistants, constables, Multi-Tasking Staff | SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, departments |
| Group D | No longer used | No | Merged into Group C as Multi-Tasking Staff and Level 1 posts | SSC (MTS), railways (Level 1) |
Railway Level 1 posts are still widely called Group D, although they are classified as Group C.
Gazetted and Non-Gazetted
A gazetted officer's appointment is published in the Gazette of India, and the officer can attest documents. All Group A posts are gazetted, Group B posts can be either, and Group C posts are non-gazetted.
What Each Group Pays
Group C posts start between ₹18,000 (Level 1) and ₹29,200 (Level 5) in basic pay, Group B between ₹35,400 (Level 6) and ₹53,100 (Level 9), and Group A from ₹56,100 (Level 10). DA, HRA and transport allowance are added to these.
The 7th CPC salary calculator shows the in-hand pay for any level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Group D still recruited?
The Group D category was merged into Group C after the 6th Pay Commission. Posts like Multi-Tasking Staff and railway Level 1 posts fill the same roles.
Is a Group B post a gazetted post?
Only some are. For example, Assistant Audit Officer is a gazetted Group B post, while most Inspector posts are non-gazetted Group B.
Can a Group C employee move to Group B?
Yes, through promotion with service, or through departmental and limited competitive exams that departments hold.
Posts, pay levels and eligibility here are those most notices have carried. The current notification is the final word on vacancies, dates, fees and exam details.