Government teacher salary in India (2026)
Updated 4 September 2026
Short answer
Government school teachers are paid on the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix. A primary teacher (PRT) typically sits at Pay Level 6 with an entry basic pay of ₹35,400 per month, a trained graduate teacher (TGT) at Level 7 with ₹44,900, and a post graduate teacher (PGT) at Level 8 with ₹47,600. With allowances, gross pay commonly runs from about ₹55,000 to ₹95,000 per month depending on grade and city. Private schools pay independently, commonly ₹15,000–45,000 per month.
Teaching pay in India splits three ways: central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya, state government schools, and private schools. The first two follow published pay matrices, the third does not.
The grade you are recruited into — PRT, TGT or PGT — fixes your pay level for years, so the qualification you enter with matters more than annual appraisal.
State pay levels broadly mirror the central matrix but each state notifies its own scale, so compare against your state's finance department notification rather than a national average.
Pay scale and ranges
7th Central Pay Commission levels commonly used for central-government school teaching posts — basic pay only.
| Stage / grade | Pay | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Primary teacher (PRT) — Pay Level 6 | ₹35,400 basic / month | Entry cell of Level 6 in the 7th CPC matrix, the usual level for primary teaching posts. |
| Trained graduate teacher (TGT) — Pay Level 7 | ₹44,900 basic / month | Entry cell of Level 7, for graduate teachers with B.Ed teaching Classes 6–10. |
| Post graduate teacher (PGT) — Pay Level 8 | ₹47,600 basic / month | Entry cell of Level 8, for postgraduate teachers handling senior secondary classes. |
| Gross monthly pay (indicative) | ≈ ₹55,000–95,000 / month | Basic plus DA, HRA and TA across PRT to PGT grades and city classes. Indicative only. |
| Private school teacher (indicative) | ≈ ₹15,000–45,000 / month | Set by each school; wide spread between budget and premium schools. |
What moves the number
- Recruiting body
- Central schools (KVS, NVS) and state education departments pay on published matrices. Private schools negotiate individually, usually well below the government scale.
- Qualification at entry
- B.Ed plus CTET or the state TET is the gate for PRT and TGT posts; a master's degree is needed for PGT, which starts two pay levels higher than PRT.
- Subject taught
- Mathematics, science and computer science posts are advertised more often and give more private tuition and coaching upside.
- City class
- House rent allowance is set by city classification, which is why the same TGT grade pays differently across postings.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PRT teacher's salary in India?
Primary teacher posts in central government schools are usually at 7th CPC Pay Level 6, with an entry basic pay of ₹35,400 per month. Gross pay after dearness allowance, house rent allowance and transport allowance is commonly ₹55,000–65,000 per month depending on city.
What is the difference between TGT and PGT salary?
TGT posts sit at Pay Level 7 with an entry basic pay of ₹44,900, while PGT posts sit at Level 8 with ₹47,600. The gap widens over time because increments are calculated as a percentage of a higher basic pay.
Is CTET required to become a government teacher?
CTET is required for central government school teaching posts, and most states run their own Teacher Eligibility Test for state schools. Requirements are set in each recruitment notification, so check the notification you are applying against.
Do private schools pay less than government schools?
Generally yes. Private school pay commonly ranges from ₹15,000 to ₹45,000 per month, with premium international schools paying more. Government posts add allowances, job security and retirement benefits on top of basic pay.
Salary sources
- Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance — 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix used for the pay levels quoted above. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan — Recruitment notifications specifying pay levels for PRT, TGT and PGT posts. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CTET) — Teacher eligibility requirements for central government school teaching posts. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
Statutory pay scales are quoted as published. Market ranges are indicative, vary by employer and location, and should be verified against a current offer or notification.
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