HRA City Class Calculator (X/Y/Z)

Find your city’s HRA classification and calculate your exact House Rent Allowance. Updated 2026 rates — DA has crossed 50%, so all employees get maximum HRA: 30%, 20% or 10%.

30%X Class Cities
20%Y Class Cities
10%Z Class Cities
DA >50%Max Rate Active

HRA City Class Calculator

Search your city, enter basic pay, and get your HRA instantly

Search Your City / Posting Location

🔍
Can’t find your city? It is classified as Z Class by default.

X
Metro City
30% HRA
Basic Pay (₹/month)

As per 7th CPC pay matrix / basic pay slip
Current DA Rate (%)

Current DA: ~55% (2026). Determines HRA slab.
DA Slab — HRA Rate Preview
24% / 16% / 8%
DA below 25%
27% / 18% / 9%
DA 25%–50%
30% / 20% / 10%
DA above 50% ✅
⚡ Calculate My HRA

📊 HRA Calculation Breakdown
City—
City Classification—
Basic Pay—
DA Rate—
Applicable HRA Rate—
Calculated HRA (Basic × Rate)—
Minimum Floor HRA—
🏠 Monthly HRA Payable—
📅 Annual HRA (×12)—

HRA City Classification Guide 2026

Complete reference for Central Government employees under Department of Expenditure, 7th CPC

📈HRA Rate Slabs — Linked to Dearness Allowance

As per 7th CPC, HRA is not fixed — it increases automatically in three stages as DA crosses 25% and 50%. Since DA has crossed 50%, all employees are now at the maximum rate.

Minimum HRA Floor (2026): Even if the calculated percentage is lower than the floor, the minimum guaranteed HRA is ₹5,400/month for X cities, ₹3,600/month for Y cities, and ₹1,800/month for Z cities. This floor protects employees with very low basic pay.

🌆X Class Cities — 30% HRA (8 Cities)

Only 8 cities qualify for the top 30% HRA rate. These are India’s largest urban agglomerations:

Delhi (NCT)
Mumbai (MMR)
Chennai (UA)
Kolkata (UA)
Bengaluru (UA)
Hyderabad (UA)
Pune (UA)
Ahmedabad (UA)
💡 Example: A Level 7 employee (Basic ₹44,900) posted in Delhi gets HRA = 30% × ₹44,900 = ₹13,470/month (₹1,61,640/year). Same employee in a Z class town gets 10% = ₹4,490/month.

🏢Y Class Cities — 20% HRA (State-wise List)

Tier-2 cities classified as Y — employee gets 20% of Basic as HRA at current DA levels:

Andhra Pradesh
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
Warangal
Guntur
Nellore
Kurnool
Assam
Guwahati
Bihar
Patna
Chandigarh (UT)
Chandigarh
Chhattisgarh
Raipur
Durg-Bhilai Nagar
Gujarat
Surat
Vadodara
Rajkot
Bhavnagar
Jamnagar
Haryana
Faridabad
Gurugram
Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu
Srinagar
Jharkhand
Ranchi
Jamshedpur
Dhanbad
Karnataka
Mysuru
Mangaluru
Hubli-Dharwad
Belagavi
Kerala
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Kozhikode
Thrissur
Kannur
Kollam
Madhya Pradesh
Indore
Bhopal
Jabalpur
Gwalior
Maharashtra
Nagpur
Nashik
Aurangabad
Solapur
Amravati
Odisha
Bhubaneswar
Cuttack
Punjab
Ludhiana
Amritsar
Jalandhar
Rajasthan
Jaipur
Jodhpur
Kota
Bikaner
Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore
Madurai
Tiruchirappalli
Salem
Tirunelveli
Telangana
Warangal
Nizamabad
Karimnagar
Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow
Kanpur
Agra
Varanasi
Meerut
Allahabad (Prayagraj)
Bareilly
Aligarh
Moradabad
Gorakhpur
Saharanpur
Uttarakhand
Dehradun
West Bengal
Asansol
Siliguri
Durgapur
Z Class: All cities, towns, and locations not listed above are automatically classified as Z Class — HRA = 10% of Basic Pay (minimum ₹1,800/month). This includes rural postings, small towns, and hill stations not named above.

📊Sample HRA Calculations — 7th CPC Pay Matrix 2026

🧮How HRA is Calculated — Step by Step

1

Find Your City Class: Check if your posting city is in the X, Y, or Z list. If your city is not in the X or Y list, it is automatically Z class.

2

Check the DA Rate: Find the current DA rate. Since DA has crossed 50% (currently ~55% in 2026), the maximum HRA slab is active: 30% / 20% / 10%.

3

Calculate Basic × Rate: Multiply your monthly Basic Pay by the applicable rate. E.g., Basic ₹56,100 in a Y city = 20% × ₹56,100 = ₹11,220.

4

Apply the Floor: If your calculated HRA is less than the floor (₹5,400 / ₹3,600 / ₹1,800), the floor amount is paid instead. This matters primarily at Level 1–2 for X city employees.

5

HRA on Transfer: On transfer to a new city, HRA changes from the date of joining the new station. During transit, HRA of the old station is paid for up to one month of joining time.

⚠️Special HRA Rules & Conditions

Govt Quarters

Living in Govt Accommodation

If you are allotted government quarters and occupying them, HRA is not payable. A license fee is recovered instead. If you retain the allotted quarters but don’t occupy them, special rules apply.

Transfer

Transfer to Different Class City

On transfer from X to Y or Z city, the new HRA rate applies from the date of taking charge. You can draw HRA of old station for up to one month of the joining time period.

Leave / Suspension

HRA During Leave

HRA is payable during earned leave and study leave. It is not payable during extraordinary leave (without pay), suspension, or periods of absence treated as dies non.

Deputation

On Deputation / Foreign Service

During deputation to another organization or foreign service, HRA is regulated based on the city of posting under the borrowing organization’s rules. Not the parent department’s city.

Spouse Posting

Both Spouses in Govt Service

Only one spouse can draw HRA if both are posted at the same station and share the same accommodation. The other draws HRA only if they maintain a separate residence.

Lease

HRA vs Lease Accommodation

Employees may opt for Govt Lease accommodation in lieu of HRA. If a lease is taken, HRA is not paid. The lease rent recovered is typically lower than HRA, making it beneficial in high-rent cities.

📘 How to Use the HRA City Class Calculator

Start by typing your posting city in the search box. The autocomplete searches the built-in X and Y city list, including common alternate spellings such as Bangalore/Bengaluru, Bombay/Mumbai and Trivandrum/Thiruvananthapuram. Select the matching city so the calculator can assign the class automatically.

If a location does not appear in the built-in list, the page treats it as Z Class by default. This follows the source page’s own fallback logic and is useful for smaller towns and locations not explicitly included in the X or Y list.

Enter your actual monthly Basic Pay from the latest pay record rather than the entry pay for your level. The calculator then applies the HRA percentage linked to both city class and the DA slab selected through the DA input.

After calculating, review the city, class, Basic Pay, DA rate, applicable HRA percentage, raw calculated HRA, minimum floor and final monthly/annual HRA. If a result differs from payroll, check the city selection and Basic Pay first.

🏙️ Understanding X, Y and Z City Classes

The page divides Central Government HRA into three payroll classes. X Class receives the highest percentage, Y Class the middle percentage and Z Class the lowest percentage under the current source assumptions.

City class is not the same thing as income-tax Metro/Non-Metro treatment. This calculator is focused on payroll HRA for Central Government employees. The tax exemption calculation is a separate process even when the same employee receives HRA through salary.

For tax treatment, use the HRA Tax Exemption Calculator. For this page, the key question is simply which X/Y/Z class applies to the posting location and which DA-linked HRA rate is active.

A transfer can change class without changing Basic Pay. That makes this page useful for comparing the HRA effect of moving from X to Y, Y to Z or the reverse.

📈 DA Slabs and Automatic HRA Rate Changes

The calculator contains three DA slabs. Below the first threshold it uses the lowest HRA percentages, between the first and second thresholds it uses the middle percentages, and at or above the highest threshold it uses the maximum percentages shown on the page.

The DA input therefore affects the applicable HRA rate even though HRA itself is calculated on Basic Pay in this calculator. A threshold crossing can produce a visible salary change because both DA and HRA may move at the same time.

Use the DA Calculator or DA history tools when you need to verify the DA rate for a historical salary period. Then enter that rate here to reproduce the corresponding HRA slab.

When checking arrears, use the HRA percentage that applied during each relevant period instead of applying today’s rate backward to earlier months.

💰 Minimum HRA Floor: Why the Final Amount Can Be Higher

The source page includes minimum HRA floor amounts for X, Y and Z cities. The calculator compares percentage-based HRA with the applicable floor and pays the higher value according to the built-in logic.

This floor matters most at lower Basic Pay levels because the percentage result may fall near the minimum guarantee. At higher Basic Pay, the percentage calculation generally becomes larger than the floor.

The result table displays both the raw calculated HRA and the floor, so you can see which one controls the final payable amount. This is especially useful when reviewing Level 1 and other lower-level cases.

Do not add the floor on top of the calculated HRA. It is a minimum comparison, not an additional allowance.

🧮 Step-by-Step Salary Verification

First verify the employee’s city class with the search tool. Second, confirm the exact Basic Pay from the current pay matrix cell. Third, enter the DA rate that applies to the same salary month.

Run the calculator and compare the monthly HRA with the salary slip. If the HRA differs, review whether the payroll used a different city classification, a different effective date or Government accommodation rules.

For a full salary breakdown after HRA is confirmed, use the Gross vs Net Salary or salary-breakup tools. Keeping HRA verification separate makes it easier to identify the first mismatched component.

Save one dated result after every transfer, increment or DA-threshold change. Those records are useful if payroll arrears need to be reconstructed later.

🏠 Government Accommodation and HRA

The special-rules section explains that HRA is not normally payable when an employee occupies Government accommodation under the source page’s treatment. In that situation, the normal city percentage should not simply be added to salary.

This is an important distinction because a calculator can produce a mathematically correct HRA for the city while the employee is administratively ineligible to draw it due to accommodation status.

When comparing private accommodation with Government quarters, calculate the normal HRA first to understand its value, then apply the actual accommodation rule from the employee’s case.

Keep the allotment and occupation dates with any HRA working because the effective date can determine whether a month is payable or not.

🔄 Transfer Between Different City Classes

On transfer, the employee’s Basic Pay may stay the same while the city class changes. This makes a before-and-after comparison straightforward: calculate HRA at the old class, then at the new class with the same Basic Pay and DA.

The source page also discusses joining-time treatment and says the new station’s rate applies after taking charge, with limited old-station treatment in the joining period. For payroll review, keep transfer and joining dates with the calculation.

If the transfer also changes Transport Allowance, special-duty allowance or Government accommodation, calculate those separately rather than attributing the whole take-home difference to HRA.

A dated transfer comparison is especially useful when checking the first revised salary slip or arrears following delayed payroll updates.

📋 Reading the State-Wise City List

The long state-wise Y-city list is designed as a quick reference. Search by state heading or use the calculator’s autocomplete when you know the city name.

The X-city chips provide the highest-class cities included by the source page, while the Z-class note covers locations not explicitly listed as X or Y.

Because city classifications can be revised by Government orders, use the page as a calculation reference and keep the relevant departmental order when a city’s status is disputed or newly changed.

Alternate city names in the JavaScript data help the search work for older and newer spellings, reducing the chance that a known X or Y city is mistakenly treated as Z.

🧾 Sample HRA Table: How to Use It

The sample table gives quick HRA figures for several pay levels at the maximum rate set shown in the source. It is useful for a rough check before using the live calculator.

For a personal result, do not rely only on the entry Basic Pay shown in a sample row. An employee at a later matrix stage can have a significantly higher Basic Pay and therefore a higher HRA amount.

Use the Pay Matrix Calculator when you need to identify the actual Basic Pay cell first, then return here for the city-class calculation.

The sample table also demonstrates why lower-level cases can be influenced by the minimum floor while higher levels are mostly governed by the percentage formula.

⚠️ Common HRA City Calculator Mistakes

A common mistake is entering gross salary instead of Basic Pay. This calculator applies the HRA percentage to Basic Pay, so including DA or other allowances in the Basic Pay field will overstate HRA.

Another mistake is typing a city but not selecting it from the autocomplete list. If the built-in class is not actually selected, the calculator may not use the intended city classification.

Users may also confuse X/Y/Z payroll HRA with Metro/Non-Metro tax exemption. The two systems answer different questions and should be calculated separately.

Finally, proposed future 8th CPC changes should not be mixed with the current 7th CPC calculator unless official rules are reflected in the page’s inputs.

✅ HRA City Class Verification Checklist

Before accepting the result, confirm city or posting location, selected X/Y/Z class, exact Basic Pay and DA rate.

Then compare applicable HRA percentage, raw calculated HRA, minimum floor, monthly payable HRA and annual HRA.

If payroll differs, check transfer date, accommodation status, city reclassification and the DA slab that applied in that month before changing the final figure manually.

Keep a dated copy with the payslip or posting order so future salary, transfer and arrears checks can be reproduced accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions

HRA city classification rules, DA slabs, and transfer scenarios for central govt employees

What is the current HRA rate for central government employees in 2026?
▾
Since the Dearness Allowance has crossed 50%, central government employees are now at the maximum HRA slab as per 7th CPC: 30% for X class cities, 20% for Y class cities, and 10% for Z class cities of Basic Pay. The minimum guaranteed floor amounts are ₹5,400 (X), ₹3,600 (Y), and ₹1,800 (Z) per month — whichever is higher between the calculated amount and the floor is paid.
How many cities are in X class and which are they?
▾
There are exactly 8 cities in X class (formerly A-1 classification): Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad. These are India’s largest urban agglomerations. Employees posted in these cities receive the highest HRA of 30% of Basic Pay. Note: These are the same 8 cities that also received the 50% Section 10(13A) IT exemption from April 2026.
What is Z class and how do I know if my city is Z class?
▾
Z class is the default classification — any city or town that is NOT specifically listed in the official X or Y classification order is automatically a Z class location. This includes most small towns, rural areas, tehsil headquarters, and hill stations. Z class employees receive 10% of Basic Pay as HRA (minimum ₹1,800/month). If you cannot find your city in the X or Y list, it is Z class.
When does HRA change automatically without any office order?
▾
HRA rates are linked to DA and change automatically when DA crosses the 25% and 50% thresholds — no separate government order is needed for the rate revision. This automatic revision was built into the 7th CPC framework. Since DA already crossed 50%, employees are at 30/20/10%. If DA were to fall below these thresholds (very unlikely), rates would revert. DA is revised twice a year — January (paid in March) and July (paid in September).
Is HRA taxable for central government employees?
▾
Yes, HRA received by central government employees is partially taxable if you opt for the Old Tax Regime. The exemption under Section 10(13A) is the lowest of: actual HRA received, 50%/40% of salary (metro/non-metro), or rent paid minus 10% of salary. Under the New Tax Regime (default from FY 2023-24), HRA is fully taxable with no exemption available. Most central government employees paying significant rent in metro cities benefit from the Old Regime.
What happens to HRA when I am on training outside my station?
▾
During training at a government institute, if the duration is less than 180 days and you are maintaining your residence at the regular place of posting, HRA of your regular station continues. For training exceeding 180 days, HRA of the training location applies. If accommodation is provided free of cost during training, HRA is reduced to 50% of the applicable rate. These rules are governed by OM F.2(14)-E.II(B)/2005 and subsequent clarifications.
Can I get HRA if I own a house in the same city?
▾
No. If you own a house in the city of posting and live in it, HRA is not admissible. However, if you own a house in a different city and are renting accommodation at your place of posting, HRA is payable for the rented accommodation. You must give a declaration to your employer about your own house. If you own a house at the place of posting but live elsewhere (not in your own house), HRA may be considered on case-by-case basis with supporting documentation.
What is the difference between HRA for central govt vs bank employees?
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Central government employees follow the X/Y/Z city classification under 7th CPC with rates of 30/20/10%. Bank employees under the 12th Bipartite Settlement follow a Metro/Urban/Semi-Urban/Rural classification with HRA rates of 9%/8%/7%/6% of Basic Pay — significantly lower percentages but calculated on a different (generally higher) basic. Bank employees’ HRA rates are set by IBA, not the Pay Commission, and do not have the DA-linked automatic revision feature that central govt employees enjoy.
Will there be an 8th Pay Commission and how will it affect HRA?
▾
The Government of India has approved the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission, with its recommendations expected to be implemented from January 1, 2026. The 8th CPC is likely to revise the city classifications, HRA percentages, and DA-linked slabs. Until official 8th CPC orders are issued, all central government employees continue to draw HRA as per 7th CPC rates. Watch the Department of Expenditure website for official notifications.
Can I claim both HRA exemption and home loan deduction?
▾
Yes — you can claim both HRA exemption AND home loan deduction simultaneously, but only in specific scenarios. This is allowed when your owned house is in a different city from where you are posted and paying rent. For example, you own a house in your home town but are posted in Delhi and paying rent there — you can claim HRA exemption for the Delhi rent AND deduct home loan interest (Section 24b) and principal (Section 80C) for your home town property. Both cannot be claimed if you live in your own house.
Disclaimer: This calculator is based on 7th CPC orders and city classifications as updated through 2026. 8th CPC recommendations, once notified, may change HRA rates and city classifications. For official orders and clarifications, refer to the Department of Expenditure and Department of Personnel & Training. Always verify your city classification with your accounts/DDO office.