MTS Havaldar is a combined designation that refers to Multi Tasking Staff and Havaldar posts recruited through SSC MTS examination. The Havaldar post specifically falls under the Central Bureau of Narcotics and the Department of Post under the Ministry of Communications. It is a step above the regular MTS post in terms of pay level and is one of the most preferred outcomes for SSC MTS candidates because of the higher salary and the physical nature of the work.
For many aspirants, MTS Havaldar is attractive because it offers a central government job with a decent starting salary, multiple allowances, job security, and a defined promotion path. The Havaldar in CBIC and CBN works in enforcement, warehousing, narcotics control, and related duties while the MTS handles general office support tasks. Both come under the same SSC MTS recruitment cycle but carry slightly different pay structures.
MTS Havaldar Pay Scale
MTS comes under Pay Level-1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix. The basic pay at this level starts from ₹18,000 per month. The pay scale for Pay Level-1 is ₹18,000 to ₹56,900.
Havaldar in CBIC and CBN comes under Pay Level-2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. The basic pay starts from ₹19,900 per month and the pay scale runs from ₹19,900 to ₹63,200. This one pay level difference makes a meaningful difference in gross and in-hand salary, especially as DA keeps rising. The post is classified as Group C Non-Gazetted in both cases.
MTS Havaldar Salary at One Place
The table below gives a starting salary estimate for both MTS at Pay Level-1 and Havaldar at Pay Level-2. DA is taken at 60%. X, Y and Z refer to city categories used for HRA calculation. X cities are major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata where HRA is 30% of basic pay. Y cities are large towns and state capitals like Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal and Patna where HRA is 20%. Z cities are all other towns and smaller locations where HRA is 10% of basic pay.
| Salary Component | MTS – X City | MTS – Y City | MTS – Z City | Havaldar – X City | Havaldar – Y City | Havaldar – Z City |
| Basic Pay | ₹18,000 | ₹18,000 | ₹18,000 | ₹19,900 | ₹19,900 | ₹19,900 |
| DA at 60% | ₹10,800 | ₹10,800 | ₹10,800 | ₹11,940 | ₹11,940 | ₹11,940 |
| HRA | ₹5,400 | ₹3,600 | ₹1,800 | ₹5,970 | ₹3,980 | ₹1,990 |
| Transport Allowance with DA | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 |
| Approx. Gross Salary | ₹36,360 | ₹34,560 | ₹32,760 | ₹39,970 | ₹37,980 | ₹36,000 |
| NPS Deduction (approx.) | ₹2,880 | ₹2,880 | ₹2,880 | ₹3,184 | ₹3,184 | ₹3,184 |
| CGEIS + Other Deductions | ₹300–₹500 | ₹300–₹500 | ₹300–₹500 | ₹300–₹500 | ₹300–₹500 | ₹300–₹500 |
| Approx. In-Hand | ₹33,000–₹34,500 | ₹31,000–₹32,500 | ₹29,000–₹30,500 | ₹36,000–₹37,500 | ₹34,000–₹35,500 | ₹32,000–₹33,500 |
These figures are approximate. The final in-hand salary depends on posting location, government accommodation status, tax regime, TDS and other applicable deductions. Income tax is generally not a concern at this salary level for most employees.
Gross Salary of MTS and Havaldar
A newly appointed MTS in an X-category city earns an approximate gross salary of ₹36,000 to ₹37,000 per month. In Y-category cities, it is around ₹34,000 to ₹35,000. In Z-category cities, the gross salary is approximately ₹32,500 to ₹33,500.
For Havaldar, the gross salary in X-category cities is approximately ₹39,500 to ₹40,500. In Y-category cities, it is around ₹37,500 to ₹38,500. In Z-category postings, the gross comes to approximately ₹35,500 to ₹36,500. The difference between MTS and Havaldar gross salary is mainly due to the higher basic pay of ₹19,900 versus ₹18,000 and the proportionally higher HRA linked to it.
MTS Havaldar In-Hand Salary
The in-hand salary is the amount actually credited to the bank account after all deductions. For a new MTS in an X-category posting, the in-hand salary generally falls between ₹33,000 and ₹34,500 per month. In Y-category cities, it is around ₹31,000 to ₹32,500. In Z-category cities, the in-hand amount is approximately ₹29,000 to ₹30,500.
For Havaldar, the in-hand salary in an X-category city is between ₹36,000 and ₹37,500. In Y-category cities, it is approximately ₹34,000 to ₹35,500. In Z-category postings, the in-hand salary is around ₹32,000 to ₹33,500. Since income tax threshold is generally not crossed at this pay level after standard deductions, most MTS and Havaldar employees receive a salary close to the pre-tax estimate.
Main Allowances Given to MTS and Havaldar
Dearness Allowance is the largest allowance component. It is calculated as a percentage of basic pay and revised twice a year based on the consumer price index. At 60% DA, an MTS with basic pay of ₹18,000 receives ₹10,800 per month as DA. A Havaldar with basic pay of ₹19,900 receives ₹11,940. As DA keeps rising with each revision, the overall monthly salary continues to grow even without any promotion.
House Rent Allowance is paid when government accommodation is not provided. For X-category metro cities, HRA is 30% of basic pay. For Y-category large towns and state capitals, it is 20%. For Z-category cities and smaller towns, it is 10%. When government quarters are allotted, HRA is not paid but the housing cost is eliminated, which is practically beneficial especially in high-rent cities.
Transport Allowance is given for commuting. For Pay Level-1 and Level-2 employees, the Transport Allowance is ₹1,350 plus DA in regular cities, which at 60% DA comes to ₹2,160 per month. In notified higher transport cities, the rate is higher.
Other benefits include CGHS medical facility for the employee and dependent family members, Leave Travel Concession, paid leave including earned leave and casual leave, children education allowance as per government rules, and group insurance under the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme. Pension benefits are available under NPS or applicable pension rules depending on the year of joining.
Deductions from MTS Havaldar Salary
The main regular deduction is NPS contribution. For central government employees under NPS, the employee contributes 10% of basic pay plus DA. For a new MTS, this is approximately ₹2,880 per month. For a Havaldar, it is approximately ₹3,184 per month. The government contributes a matching amount to the NPS corpus.
CGEIS premium is deducted monthly. Professional tax may also apply in some states. Income tax deduction is generally not applicable for MTS and Havaldar at the starting salary level since the annual gross income typically falls well within the basic exemption limit after accounting for standard deductions under both old and new tax regimes.
Annual Increment and Salary Growth
MTS and Havaldar receive annual increment as per the 7th CPC pay matrix. After one year of confirmed service, the basic pay moves to the next cell in the respective pay level. For MTS, basic pay moves from ₹18,000 to ₹18,500 after the first increment. For Havaldar, it moves from ₹19,900 to ₹20,500. Each increment also proportionally increases DA and NPS contribution.
DA revisions twice a year further push the monthly salary upward without any change in basic pay. Over a service period of five to ten years, the combination of annual increments and DA revisions significantly increases the overall monthly salary compared to the starting figure.
Promotion from MTS leads to Lower Division Clerk in offices that allow this path. Havaldar in CBIC can be promoted to Tax Assistant and further. The promotion path and eligibility depend on departmental rules, vacancy availability and performance in departmental exams.
Why MTS Havaldar Is a Preferred SSC Entry-Level Post
MTS Havaldar is one of the most accessible central government jobs available to candidates who have passed Class 10. The examination is conducted by SSC and attracts millions of candidates every year. Despite being an entry-level post, it provides all the core benefits of a central government job including DA-linked salary growth, CGHS medical coverage, LTC, job security and pension.
For candidates in smaller towns and rural areas, even the Z-category in-hand salary of ₹29,000 to ₹33,500 per month is a significant and stable income with complete government benefits attached. The Havaldar post specifically, with Pay Level-2 and a slightly higher salary than regular MTS, is considered a better outcome and is preferred by candidates who qualify for it through the SSC MTS merit list.
FAQs
Q: What is the starting salary of MTS?
A: The starting basic pay of MTS is ₹18,000. With DA, HRA and Transport Allowance, the gross salary is approximately ₹32,760 to ₹36,360 depending on posting city.
Q: What is the starting salary of Havaldar?
A: The starting basic pay of Havaldar is ₹19,900. The gross salary ranges from approximately ₹36,000 in Z-category cities to ₹39,970 in X-category cities.
Q: What is the in-hand salary of MTS in Z-category cities?
A: The approximate in-hand salary of a new MTS in a Z-category city is ₹29,000 to ₹30,500 per month after deductions.
Q: What is the in-hand salary of Havaldar?
A: A new Havaldar takes home approximately ₹32,000 to ₹33,500 in Z-category cities and ₹36,000 to ₹37,500 in X-category cities.
Q: What are X, Y and Z cities for HRA?
A: X cities are major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata where HRA is 30% of basic pay. Y cities are large towns and state capitals where HRA is 20%. Z cities are all other locations where HRA is 10% of basic pay.
Q: What is the pay level of MTS and Havaldar?
A: MTS comes under Pay Level-1 with basic pay of ₹18,000. Havaldar comes under Pay Level-2 with basic pay of ₹19,900.
Q: What is the biggest deduction from MTS Havaldar salary?
A: The biggest regular deduction is NPS. It is approximately ₹2,880 per month for MTS and ₹3,184 per month for Havaldar at the current DA rate.
Q: Does MTS Havaldar salary increase every year?
A: Yes. Annual increment, DA revision twice a year, and promotion all increase the salary progressively over the course of service.
Q: What is the promotion after MTS?
A: MTS can be promoted to Lower Division Clerk in departments that allow this path. Havaldar in CBIC can progress to Tax Assistant and further based on departmental exam performance and vacancy availability.
Q: Is Havaldar better than MTS?
A: Yes, in terms of salary. Havaldar comes under Pay Level-2 which gives a higher basic pay of ₹19,900 compared to MTS at ₹18,000. The difference grows over time as DA revisions are applied on a higher base.
