Types of Government Employees: What are Group A, B, C, and D Government Jobs?

Government Jobs in India are one of the most evergreen and in-demand career options available out there. Even in today’s time, being an Indian government employee brings in a lot of pride and respect because of the countless perks, high entry-level salaries and most of all job security. Today, the Indian youth is attracted towards government jobs not only because of the authority they hold, but also the challenges and targets they bring with them. In order to get into a government job, an individual needs to go through various competitive exams in which lakhs of people participate and fight for limited seats.

The Indian government or the state government segregates the public employees into various group rankings and further, these groups are divided into various levels. This classification is directly related to the rank, status and the degree of the level of responsibility attached to the posts :-

1) Group – A Employees (Gazetted): Levels 15 – 20

2) Group – B Employees (Gazetted/Non gazetted) : Levels 6 – 9 (non-gazetted), Levels 10 – 14 (gazetted)

3) Group – C & D Employees: Levels 1-5

4) HAG : 7^th CPC Pay Levels 15-18

Group – A is ranked highest in terms of appointment and authority whereas, the Group C&D (merged after the 7^th CPC) is ranked lowest. It must be noted that the pay-scale is widely variable to the type of administration/government.

Group A Employees (Gazetted) : People who get appointed into this group are officials and are employed at various managerial positions across governments which are one of the highest available jobs. These officials are appointed under the authority of the President of India. For instance: Commissioned officers for the IAF (Indian Armed Forces), AIS (All India Services), Bureaucrats, Scientists in the organizations like DRDO, ISRO, CSIR, BARC and Central India Civil Services (IAS, IRS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IRTS).

The basic pay scale of the officials appointed in the Group – A can range anywhere between Rs 37,400 to Rs 90,000 depending upon the administration. The Salaries of employees can go as high as Rs 2,50,000 in this group.

Group – B (Gazetted Officers) Employees : The authority of a Group – B gazetted officer is similar to that of a Group A officer. In order to start one’s career as a Group – B gazetted officer, one has to clear an exam of UPSC but most of these seats are filled through promotions. The officers in this group are appointed by the Department Heads of any government organization. For instance: JCO (Junior Commissioned Officer) across The India Armed Forces and SCS (State Civil Services) to name a couple of positions under the Group – B.

The basic pay scale of the officers selected under the Group – B can range between Rs 15,600 to Rs 39,100 or more depending upon the administration. The starting take-home salary of Group – B Gazetted employees is Rs 56,100 to Rs 78,800.

Group – B (Non-Gazetted) Employees : The basic difference between the gazetted and non-gazetted employees of the government is that the former can authorize the issuance of official government stamps whereas, the latter cannot. The Gazetted officers have a more administrative role. Employees working in Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) and National Banks fall under the category along with office supervisors, state inspectors, office executives, state police officers etc.

The basic pay scale ranges between Rs 9,300 to Rs 34,800 or more depending upon the pay band of the administration. The starting take-home income ranges between Rs 34,500 to Rs 53,100.

Group – C & D Employees : These are the public servants who are posted in various non-supervisory roles. However, candidates working at these positions, just like most of the other positions in the government sector can be promoted to higher levels. Individuals working at these positions do not hold any critical administrative positions. These candidates are usually selected via the SSC (Staff Selection Commission) entrance examinations. Most of the government staff fall in this category. For instance: Section Heads , Clerks, Multi Tasking Staff, Stenographers, Assistants, Typist, Telephone Operators, Primary Teachers, Havildar, Constables, Assistant Sub-Inspector,  Technician, Mechanic, Attendants, Lineman, Drivers, Electricians, Supervisors, Cashiers, Store Keeper, Chemist, Sanitary Inspector and individuals holding similar positions in the Armed etc. are some of the prominent government jobs in the group.

Group D is the bottom of the government job employees in India. Previously in the 6th pay commission pay scales, these groups of employees were in the pay band of ₹5200-20200 grade pay ₹1800. Driver, Peon, Cleaner, Mali, Guard, Barber, Cook, etc. are some of the Group-D or Class 4 government jobs in India.

The 7^th pay Commission merged the Group – C and D so that they can come in the same pay band. Apart from that, the jobs are still as they were and there is still a significant difference between the basic pay of a Group D employee and a Group C employee. The starting take-home salary of a Group – C employee ranges between Rs 18,000  to Rs 29,200.

HAG : The higher official grades are ‘Higher Administrative Grade’. Pay Matrix Level 15 to 18 are the HAG Scale with starting basic salary above Rs. 182200 in 7th Pay Commission recommended for Band Pay Rs. 67000-79000, 75500-80000, 80000 and 90000 As there is no Grade pay for HAG Scale in Sixth Pay Commission HAG Scale Pay Band 67000-79000.

All government officers in Group-A recruited by Public Service Commissions in India start their career in the pay level of 10 and then get promoted to the various levels up to HAG levels if promoted. For Scientists and Faculty vacancy posts, recruitment also takes place for the pay level from 10-13.

Conclusion :

There are various types of government jobs in India at various pay levels. If you too are looking for a career as a government employee, the first thing before applying for a government job is that you need to understand your prospects and all the details about Group A, B, C & D categories of government jobs.