Krushi Adhikari, also known as Agriculture Officer or Krishi Adhikari, is an important field-level officer post under the Agriculture Department of various state governments in India. The post is most commonly referred to as Krushi Adhikari in Maharashtra and Krishi Adhikari in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is recruited through state Public Service Commission examinations or state agriculture department direct recruitment boards depending on the state. In Maharashtra specifically, Krushi Adhikari is recruited through MPSC and is one of the most sought-after technical officer posts for agriculture graduates appearing in Maharashtra state services.
The role of a Krushi Adhikari involves field-level implementation of government agriculture schemes, advising farmers on crop selection, fertiliser use, irrigation techniques and pest management, inspecting agricultural land, collecting crop data, coordinating with agriculture universities and research stations, and ensuring that central and state government agricultural benefits reach eligible farmers at the grassroots level. It is a field-intensive posting that requires regular village visits and direct farmer interaction, making it one of the most impactful posts in the state agriculture administration.
Krushi Adhikari Salary 2026: Quick Overview
| Component | Details |
| Recruiting Body | MPSC / State PSC / State Agriculture Dept |
| Pay Level | Pay Level 6 equivalent (State Pay Scale) |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹35,400 per month (Maharashtra / 7th CPC aligned states) |
| Pay Scale | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Post Classification | Class-2 / Group B Gazetted Officer (state-dependent) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹62,000 – ₹72,000 (city-dependent) |
| Approximate In-Hand | ₹54,000 – ₹64,000 per month |
| Annual Package (Approx.) | ₹6.5 – ₹7.7 LPA |
Krushi Adhikari Pay Scale
Krushi Adhikari in Maharashtra and most 7th CPC-aligned states is placed at Pay Level-6 equivalent under the state pay matrix. The starting basic pay is ₹35,400 per month and the pay scale runs from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400. In Maharashtra, the post falls under Group B and is classified as a Class-2 Gazetted Officer in most state notifications.
In other states the designation may differ slightly. In Uttar Pradesh, the equivalent post is called Krishi Adhikari or Agriculture Officer and may be placed at a similar or slightly different pay level depending on the UP state pay commission. In Rajasthan, the Agriculture Officer post under RPSC falls at a comparable level. Since pay scales vary by state, the figures in this article are primarily based on Maharashtra and 7th CPC-aligned state pay scales. Candidates from other states should refer to their specific state recruitment notification for exact figures.
Krushi Adhikari Salary at One Place
The table below gives a starting salary estimate for a newly appointed Krushi Adhikari. Basic pay is ₹35,400 with state DA at approximately 53%. X cities are major metros like Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra where HRA is 30% of basic pay. Y cities are large towns and divisional headquarters like Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Kolhapur where HRA is 20%. Z cities are all other district towns, taluka headquarters and rural postings where HRA is 10%. Since Krushi Adhikari is a field post, most postings are at taluka and district level falling under Y or Z category.
| Salary Component | X City (Mumbai/Pune) | Y City (Divisional HQ) | Z City (District/Taluka) |
| Basic Pay | ₹35,400 | ₹35,400 | ₹35,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (approx. 53%) | ₹18,762 | ₹18,762 | ₹18,762 |
| HRA | ₹10,620 | ₹7,080 | ₹3,540 |
| Transport Allowance with DA | ₹4,320 | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 |
| Agriculture Field Allowance (approx.) | ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Approx. Gross Salary | ₹70,602 | ₹64,902 | ₹61,362 |
| NPS Deduction (approx.) | ₹5,664 | ₹5,664 | ₹5,664 |
| State Insurance + Prof. Tax + Other | ₹500–₹700 | ₹500–₹700 | ₹500–₹700 |
| Approx. In-Hand Before Tax | ₹64,500 | ₹58,800 | ₹55,300 |
| Practical In-Hand After TDS | ₹59,000–₹63,500 | ₹54,000–₹58,000 | ₹51,000–₹54,500 |
These figures are approximate. Actual in-hand depends on the state, posting location, government accommodation status, current state DA rate, applicable field allowances and tax regime. Maharashtra revises DA under its own schedule which may differ from the central government DA revision cycle.
Krushi Adhikari Gross Salary
A newly appointed Krushi Adhikari posted in Mumbai or Pune under X-category can expect an approximate gross salary of ₹69,500 to ₹71,500 per month. This includes basic pay, state DA, HRA, Transport Allowance and Field Allowance at the starting stage.
In Y-category divisional towns like Nashik, Nagpur and Aurangabad, the gross salary is approximately ₹64,000 to ₹65,500. For Z-category district and taluka postings, which is where the majority of Krushi Adhikaris actually serve given the agrarian nature of the role, the gross salary is around ₹60,500 to ₹62,000. The main difference across categories is HRA variation, with Mumbai and Pune postings drawing significantly higher HRA compared to rural district and taluka deployments.
Krushi Adhikari In-Hand Salary
The in-hand salary for a new Krushi Adhikari in Mumbai or Pune is approximately ₹59,000 to ₹63,500 per month after all deductions. In Y-category divisional towns, the in-hand amount is around ₹54,000 to ₹58,000. At Z-category district and taluka postings, which is the most practically relevant posting for most Krushi Adhikaris, the in-hand salary is approximately ₹51,000 to ₹54,500.
Income tax applies at this salary level. Annual gross income crosses the basic exemption threshold and TDS is deducted monthly. Officers who declare eligible investments and utilise deductions under the old tax regime see a higher in-hand amount compared to those under the new tax regime. Officers allotted government accommodation do not draw HRA but the housing cost is eliminated, which is practically beneficial especially in Pune and Mumbai.
Krushi Adhikari Salary Structure: All Components
Basic Pay
₹35,400 per month at joining under the state pay scale equivalent to Pay Level-6. Basic pay moves to the next cell in the pay matrix with each annual increment and jumps significantly with each promotion.
Dearness Allowance
State DA is calculated as a percentage of basic pay and revised periodically by the state government. Maharashtra and most states follow central DA revisions as a reference. At approximately 53% DA, a new Krushi Adhikari receives ₹18,762 per month. DA is the single largest growth component between promotions.
House Rent Allowance
HRA is 30% of basic pay in X cities, 20% in Y cities and 10% in Z cities. Since most Krushi Adhikari postings are at taluka and district level, the most commonly applicable HRA is either the Y or Z category rate.
| City Category | HRA Rate | Amount |
| X (Mumbai/Pune) | 30% | ₹10,620 |
| Y (Divisional HQ like Nashik/Nagpur) | 20% | ₹7,080 |
| Z (District/Taluka) | 10% | ₹3,540 |
Transport Allowance
For Pay Level-6 officers in notified higher transport cities, Transport Allowance is ₹2,700 plus DA, coming to approximately ₹4,320 at 53% DA. In other cities and district postings, it is ₹1,350 plus DA, coming to approximately ₹2,160 per month.
Agriculture Field Allowance
Krushi Adhikari involves regular field visits to farms, villages and agricultural land. Most states provide a Field Work Allowance or Agriculture Allowance to compensate for the field-intensive nature of the duty. In Maharashtra, this is approximately ₹1,500 per month. Daily allowance and travel reimbursement for official field visits adds a variable additional monthly income on top of this fixed component.
Tour and Travel Allowance
Since Krushi Adhikari requires frequent travel to villages and farms within the taluka or district, daily allowance claims and travel reimbursement for official tours add a meaningful practical income that varies month to month based on the extent of field activity. This makes the effective monthly earnings higher than what the fixed salary components alone indicate.
Krushi Adhikari Benefits Beyond Monthly Salary
Gazetted Officer Status — Krushi Adhikari is a Class-2 Gazetted Officer in Maharashtra, which carries executive authority, official recognition and eligibility for departmental promotions within the state agriculture department.
NPS Pension — Employee contributes 10% of basic pay plus DA monthly. State government contributes a matching amount to build the retirement corpus over the career period.
Government Accommodation — Official quarters may be available at district and taluka postings. When allotted, HRA is not paid separately but housing cost is eliminated.
Medical Reimbursement — State government medical reimbursement for hospitalisation and treatment at empanelled hospitals as per state service rules.
Leave Entitlements — Earned leave, casual leave, medical leave and Leave Travel Concession as per state government service rules.
Tour and Daily Allowance — Official travel reimbursement for field visits, which is a practical monthly addition given the field-intensive nature of Krushi Adhikari duty.
Deductions from Krushi Adhikari Salary
| Deduction | Amount (Approx.) |
| NPS Contribution (10% of Basic + DA) | ₹5,664 |
| State Group Insurance | ₹100–₹200 |
| Professional Tax (Maharashtra) | ₹200 |
| Income Tax (TDS approx.) | ₹4,000–₹7,000 |
| Total Deductions (approx.) | ₹9,964–₹13,064 |
Career Progression and Promotion Path
| Post | Pay Level Equivalent | Basic Pay |
| Krushi Adhikari | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Senior Agriculture Officer | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| District Agriculture Officer | Level 8–9 | ₹47,600–₹53,100 |
| Deputy Director Agriculture | Level 10 | ₹56,100 |
| Joint Director Agriculture | Level 11–12 | ₹67,700–₹78,800 |
| Director of Agriculture | Level 13+ | ₹1,23,100+ |
Promotions are based on seniority, departmental examinations and performance appraisals within the state agriculture department. The move from Krushi Adhikari to Senior Agriculture Officer and then to District Agriculture Officer are the most significant early-career transitions. Officers with consistently strong field performance and technical expertise can progress steadily to senior administrative positions within the department.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Krushi Adhikari in-hand salary in 2026?
A: A new Krushi Adhikari takes home approximately ₹51,000 to ₹54,500 at Z-category taluka and district postings and ₹59,000 to ₹63,500 in Mumbai and Pune after all deductions.
Q2: What is the pay level and basic pay of Krushi Adhikari?
A: Krushi Adhikari is placed at Pay Level-6 equivalent under state pay rules with a starting basic pay of ₹35,400 and a pay scale running up to ₹1,12,400.
Q3: Is Krushi Adhikari salary the same in all states?
A: No. Salary varies by state based on state pay commission recommendations. The figures in this article are based on Maharashtra and 7th CPC-aligned states. Candidates from UP, Rajasthan or other states should check their specific state recruitment notification for exact figures.
Q4: What is the promotion after Krushi Adhikari?
A: Promotion from Krushi Adhikari leads to Senior Agriculture Officer, then District Agriculture Officer, Deputy Director Agriculture and further up to Joint Director and Director of Agriculture for officers who progress through the state agriculture department hierarchy.
