Special Protection Group, commonly known as SPG, is India’s most elite close protection force responsible exclusively for the security of the Prime Minister of India and former Prime Ministers along with their immediate family members. SPG operates under its own dedicated act, the Special Protection Group Act of 1988, and functions directly under the Cabinet Secretariat. It is not under the Ministry of Home Affairs like other CAPFs and this independent legislative and administrative status makes SPG structurally distinct from forces like CRPF, CISF and NSG.
SPG personnel are not directly recruited from the public. All SPG commandos are drawn on deputation from other central armed police forces, primarily CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP and SSB, after a rigorous selection process that tests physical fitness, shooting proficiency, close protection techniques, driving skills and psychological endurance. Only the best performers from these forces are selected for SPG deputation, which is considered one of the highest-prestige postings available to a CAPF jawan or officer. The salary structure at SPG is built on the base pay of the parent cadre combined with a set of SPG-specific allowances that make the total monthly earnings significantly higher than what the same personnel would draw in their parent force.
SPG Commando Salary 2026: Quick Overview
| Component | Details |
| Recruitment Mode | Deputation from CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP, SSB |
| Base Pay Level (Constable) | Level 3 (7th Pay Commission) |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹21,700 per month |
| SPG Special Duty Allowance | 25% of Basic Pay + DA |
| Security Allowance | ₹10,000 – ₹15,000 per month (approx.) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹65,000 – ₹80,000 (approx.) |
| Approximate In-Hand | ₹57,000 – ₹72,000 per month |
| Annual Package (Approx.) | ₹6.8 – ₹8.6 LPA |
SPG Commando Pay Scale
SPG commandos retain the pay scale of their parent cadre during deputation. A Constable drawn from CRPF or CISF remains at Pay Level-3 with a basic pay starting from ₹21,700. A Head Constable deputed to SPG remains at Pay Level-4 with basic pay of ₹25,500. Sub-Inspector level officers deputed to SPG are at Pay Level-6 with basic pay of ₹35,400.
The pay scale itself does not change on SPG deputation. What changes dramatically is the allowance structure on top of the base pay. SPG-specific allowances are substantially higher than what personnel draw in their parent forces and are the primary reason why an SPG posting is financially attractive. The combination of base pay plus SPG allowances creates a total monthly package that is among the highest for non-officer CAPF personnel in India.
SPG Commando Salary at One Place
The table below gives a starting salary estimate for an SPG Constable-level commando on deputation. Basic pay is ₹21,700 with DA at 60%. SPG is headquartered in Delhi and most SPG commandos are posted in Delhi and at locations where the protectee travels, making X-category HRA the standard for most SPG personnel. Y and Z category figures are included for completeness but the most practically relevant column for SPG is X city.
| Salary Component | X City (Delhi/Metro) | Y City (Large Town) | Z City (Other) |
| Basic Pay | ₹21,700 | ₹21,700 | ₹21,700 |
| Dearness Allowance at 60% | ₹13,020 | ₹13,020 | ₹13,020 |
| HRA | ₹6,510 | ₹4,340 | ₹2,170 |
| Transport Allowance with DA | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 | ₹2,160 |
| SPG Special Duty Allowance (25% of Basic + DA) | ₹8,680 | ₹8,680 | ₹8,680 |
| Security / Close Protection Allowance (approx.) | ₹12,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Ration Allowance | ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Approx. Gross Salary | ₹66,070 | ₹63,900 | ₹61,730 |
| NPS / DSOP Deduction (approx.) | ₹3,472 | ₹3,472 | ₹3,472 |
| CGEIS + Other Deductions | ₹300–₹500 | ₹300–₹500 | ₹300–₹500 |
| Approx. In-Hand Before Tax | ₹62,100 | ₹60,000 | ₹57,900 |
| Practical In-Hand After TDS | ₹59,000–₹62,000 | ₹57,000–₹60,000 | ₹55,000–₹58,000 |
These figures are approximate. SPG allowance structures are not publicly disclosed in full detail and exact rates are governed by internal SPG regulations. The figures above are based on available market data, reported ranges and structural comparisons with similar elite security force allowances. Actual in-hand depends on rank, years of service, tax regime and investment declarations.
SPG Commando Gross Salary
An SPG Constable-level commando posted in Delhi, which covers the vast majority of SPG strength given that the Prime Minister’s security detail is Delhi-based, can expect a gross salary of approximately ₹65,000 to ₹67,500 per month. This includes basic pay, DA, HRA at X-category rate, Transport Allowance, SPG Special Duty Allowance, Security Allowance and Ration Allowance.
This gross figure is substantially higher than what the same Constable would draw in their parent CRPF or CISF posting. In CRPF, a Constable in Delhi draws approximately ₹45,000 to ₹46,000 gross. The SPG allowances add approximately ₹20,000 to ₹22,000 per month on top of that base, making SPG one of the highest-grossing CAPF postings at the constable level anywhere in India.
SPG Commando In-Hand Salary
The in-hand salary for an SPG Constable-level commando in Delhi is approximately ₹59,000 to ₹62,000 per month after NPS, CGEIS and other deductions. Income tax may or may not apply at this salary level depending on declared investments and the tax regime selected. For most SPG constables, annual taxable income after standard deductions is close to or within the basic exemption limit, so TDS may be minimal or nil.
For Sub-Inspector level officers deputed to SPG at Pay Level-6, the in-hand salary is significantly higher. With a basic pay of ₹35,400 plus the same SPG allowances, the gross salary for an SI at SPG can reach ₹90,000 to ₹1,05,000 per month and the in-hand after deductions is approximately ₹82,000 to ₹96,000.
SPG Commando Salary Structure: All Components
Basic Pay
SPG commandos retain the basic pay of their parent cadre. A Constable remains at ₹21,700 per month at Pay Level-3. Basic pay increases annually through the parent cadre pay matrix and is not separately revised by SPG.
Dearness Allowance
DA is calculated at 60% of basic pay as per the central government rate and is revised every January and July. For a Constable, DA is ₹13,020 per month. This component grows with each revision and is the baseline salary growth mechanism.
SPG Special Duty Allowance
This is the most significant financial differentiator of SPG service. SPG Special Duty Allowance is paid at 25% of basic pay plus DA to all personnel serving in SPG during their deputation tenure. For a Constable with basic pay of ₹21,700 and DA of ₹13,020, this comes to 25% of ₹34,720, which is approximately ₹8,680 per month. For an SI at Pay Level-6, the allowance is proportionally higher.
Security or Close Protection Allowance
SPG commandos receive an additional Security Allowance or Close Protection Allowance that recognises the extreme operational intensity, round-the-clock readiness and personal risk involved in Prime Ministerial security duty. This is approximately ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per month based on available information. The exact figure is governed by internal SPG regulations and is not publicly disclosed in the same way that standard government allowances are notified.
House Rent Allowance
HRA is 30% of basic pay in X cities. Since SPG is headquartered in Delhi and most commandos are posted in Delhi, X-category HRA of ₹6,510 per month is the standard for most SPG personnel. SPG may also provide secure accommodation arrangements for commandos on active duty, in which case HRA may not be drawn separately.
Ration Allowance
All CAPF personnel including those on SPG deputation receive Ration Allowance of approximately ₹2,000 per month in lieu of physical rations. This is non-taxable and applies regardless of posting location.
SPG Commando Benefits Beyond Monthly Salary
Elite Training and Skills — SPG deputation provides access to the highest level of close protection training available in India, including advanced shooting, anti-ambush techniques, motorcade security, bomb threat response and international protocol security. This training significantly enhances the professional profile and career prospects of the deputed personnel.
CGHS Medical Coverage — Comprehensive healthcare for the commando and dependents at CGHS facilities and empanelled hospitals.
NPS Pension — NPS contribution continues from the parent cadre with government contributing a matching amount to the retirement corpus.
Parent Cadre Benefits — All benefits of the parent cadre including annual increments, seniority and promotion eligibility continue during SPG deputation.
Prestige and Recognition — SPG deputation is considered the most prestigious posting available to CAPF jawans and officers. It carries significant departmental recognition and is viewed favourably for promotion and career advancement upon return to the parent cadre.
Government Accommodation — Secure housing arrangements are typically made for SPG commandos given the nature of their duty. This may eliminate private rent cost entirely.
SPG vs Parent Force Salary Comparison
| Component | CRPF Constable (Delhi) | SPG Constable (Delhi) |
| Basic Pay | ₹21,700 | ₹21,700 |
| DA at 60% | ₹13,020 | ₹13,020 |
| HRA X City | ₹6,510 | ₹6,510 |
| Ration Allowance | ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Special Duty Allowance | Nil | ₹8,680 |
| Security Allowance | Nil | ₹12,000 |
| Approx. Gross | ₹45,390 | ₹66,070 |
| Approx. In-Hand | ₹40,000–₹42,000 | ₹59,000–₹62,000 |
The difference of approximately ₹19,000 to ₹21,000 per month in take-home salary between a regular CRPF Constable and an SPG Constable at the same pay level illustrates the financial premium of SPG deputation.
Career Progression During and After SPG
SPG deputation is typically for a fixed tenure of 3 to 5 years, after which personnel return to their parent cadre. During deputation, annual increments in the parent cadre pay matrix continue, seniority is maintained and promotion eligibility is not affected. Upon return, SPG experience is viewed as a significant positive in departmental promotion assessments.
Some high-performing SPG personnel are offered extended deputation or are asked to return for a second tenure. Officers who serve in SPG and return to their parent force often find accelerated recognition in their career progression due to the specialised skills, discipline and operational exposure gained during the posting.
Deductions from SPG Commando Salary
| Deduction | Constable Level (Approx.) | SI Level (Approx.) |
| NPS / DSOP (10% of Basic + DA) | ₹3,472 | ₹5,664 |
| CGEIS Premium | ₹50–₹100 | ₹50–₹100 |
| CGHS Contribution | ₹250 | ₹250 |
| Income Tax | Nil–₹1,000 | ₹4,000–₹8,000 |
| Total Deductions | ₹3,772–₹4,822 | ₹9,964–₹14,014 |
FAQs
Q1: What is the SPG Commando in-hand salary in 2026?
A: An SPG Constable-level commando in Delhi takes home approximately ₹59,000 to ₹62,000 per month. This is approximately ₹19,000 to ₹20,000 higher than the same Constable would draw in their parent CRPF or CISF posting.
Q2: How is SPG Commando recruited?
A: SPG does not directly recruit from the public. All SPG commandos are selected through an internal deputation process from CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP and SSB based on fitness tests, shooting proficiency, psychological assessment and close protection skill evaluation.
Q3: What is the SPG Special Duty Allowance?
A: SPG Special Duty Allowance is approximately 25% of basic pay plus DA. For a Constable at Pay Level-3, this comes to approximately ₹8,680 per month and is the most significant financial differentiator between SPG and parent force salary.
Q4: Does SPG deputation affect parent cadre promotion and seniority?
A: No. Seniority, annual increments and promotion eligibility in the parent cadre continue unaffected during SPG deputation. SPG service is generally viewed positively in departmental promotion assessments upon return to the parent force.
