Getting into the Indian Police Service is not only a prestigious career choice but also one of the most respected ones. The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) position marks an important stage in an IPS officer’s career. For UPSC candidates and IPS officers, knowing the DIG salary per month is necessary for professional as well as financial planning. DIG rank is a Selection Grade in the IPS pay structure and it offers a high-level salary package based on the 7th Pay Commission guidelines.
This blog post offers you information on DIG salary per month, basic salary allowances, take-home salary perks, career progression, and several other aspects in simple and easily understandable language.
What Is the Basic DIG Salary?
Initially, the basic salary of a Deputy Inspector General of Police is 1,18,500 monthly, as per Pay Level 13 per the 7th Central Pay Commission. This is the pay scale for the Selection Grade level in the IPS that officers reach after around 13-14 years of service.
Besides Really a DIG’s salary is quite a few times that of a junior IPS rank, it is a reflection of the increased charge, administrative control, and field leadership that the officer has at this level. The salary keeps on going up yearly through the raise based on increments within the pay matrix until the officer is elevated to the next level.
DIG Salary Overview 2026
| Component | Amount |
| Pay Level | Level 13 |
| Minimum Basic Pay | ₹1,18,500 per month |
| Maximum Basic Pay (Level 13) | ₹2,14,100 per month |
| Pay Commission | 7th Pay Commission |
| Rank Category | Selection Grade (IPS) |
| Approx. In-Hand Salary | ₹1,40,000 to ₹1,70,000 per month |
DIG Salary Structure 2026
To really get the DIG monthly salary, it’s better to know the context of the IPS pay structure. The table below lists all major ranks in IPS with their corresponding pay levels and rough basic salary ranges.
IPS Officer Rank-Wise Salary Table
| Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay Range |
| ASP / Junior Scale | Level 10 | ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 |
| SP / Senior Time Scale | Level 11 | ₹67,700 to ₹2,08,700 |
| Senior SP / JAG | Level 12 | ₹78,800 to ₹2,09,200 |
| DIG / Selection Grade | Level 13 | ₹1,18,500 to ₹2,14,100 |
| IG of Police | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 to ₹2,18,200 |
| ADG | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 to ₹2,24,100 |
| DGP / Commissioner | Level 16 | ₹2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| Director General (Central) | Apex Scale | ₹2,25,000 (Fixed) |
Here from the table above, DIG is at Level 13 and that means, DIG salary per month is among the highest in the IPS service at mid-to-senior level.
DIG In-Hand Salary 2026
The actual in-hand salary of the officer is what he or she gets after all legal deductions. For a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), the in-hand salary is much higher than many public sector employees at the same level of seniority because of the different allowances that are paid Besides the basic pay.
Considering deductions like NPS installments, professional tax, and income tax, the average DIG in-hand salary per month is between 1,40,000 and 1,70,000, with the determining factors including:
- The city and zone of posting
- The HRA category that applies
- The current percentage of Dearness Allowance
- Whether government accommodation has been provided or not
- Special allowances based on the type of duty
DIG In-Hand Salary Sample Calculation
| Salary Component | Approximate Amount |
| Basic Pay | ₹1,18,500 |
| Dearness Allowance (50% of BP) | ₹59,250 |
| House Rent Allowance (27% for metro) | ₹31,995 |
| Travel Allowance | ₹7,200 |
| Special Allowances | ₹5,000 |
| Gross Salary | ₹2,21,945 |
| NPS Deduction (10% of BP) | ₹11,850 |
| Income Tax (Approx.) | ₹15,000 |
| In-Hand Salary (Approx.) | ₹1,55,000 to ₹1,70,000 |
It should be noted that an officer who is allocated a government house will not receive separate HRA payment; instead the housing benefit will be considered to have an equivalent value.
DIG Salary Components Explained
There is more to a DIG’s salary per month than the basic pay. Several types of allowances together add up to what we normally call the full salary.
1. Basic Pay
The basic salary is the core around which everything else revolves. Initially it is 1,18,500 at Level 13. Every year it goes up by annual increments of 3% which increases the amount in a compound manner, until the officer either reaches the maximum of that pay level or gets promotion to the higher rank.
2. Dearness Allowance (DA)
By central government DA adjustment is done twice every year, once in January and once in July. DA is to compensate the working employees for the rise in prices or inflation effects. It is worked out as a percentage of the basic pay. At present time or 2026, DA is roughly 50% of basic pay which adds to a DIG’s gross salary with over 59,000.
3. House Rent Allowance (HRA)
When a government house has not been allocated to an officer, the latter is allowed HRA. The amount would be based on the category of the city:
| City Category | HRA Percentage |
| X (Metro Cities) | 27% of Basic Pay |
| Y (Tier-2 Cities) | 18% of Basic Pay |
| Z (Other Areas) | 9% of Basic Pay |
So, if a DIG is posted in a metro city with a basic pay of 1,18,500, the HRA component itself will be nearly 32,000 per month.
4. Travel Allowance (TA)
TA is an allowance given to officers to compensate for some part of their daily travelling and official movements. It changes a little based on city category and pay level.
5. Special Security Allowance
Personnel working with specialized or highly sensitive units like NIA, officials on NSG secondment, or personnel of central armed police forces are sometimes given a special security allowance which is an additional amount separate from the regular pay.
6. Hardship Allowance
A DIG who is working in such remote areas as Naxal-hit areas, high-altitude border posts, or localities where there are frequent disturbances and conflicts, may be granted a hardship allowance which could be a very welcome additional part of the salary.
DIG Officer Perks and Benefits
More than just the numbers in pay slip, the pay of a DIG per month is supplemented by quite a large bunch of non-monetary benefits that greatly improve an officer’s quality of life.
1. Official Government Residence
DIGs can get a large government bungalow or quarters as per their pay scale. Most of these are situated in nice and well-kept police officer colonies or civil lines areas.
2. Government Vehicle and Driver
DIG is given an official car and a driver for both work and leisure. The fuel expenses are borne by the government within the authorized limits.
3. Domestic and Security Staff
At the level of DIG and above, officers are given orderlies and domestic staff as per their entitlements. Once there is a posting and threat level is assessed, the provision of personal security cover is also made.
4. Medical Benefits
Through the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or equivalent state schemes, officers and their family members are provided comprehensive medical care at empanelled hospitals.
5. Electricity and Water Subsidy
DIG government housing comes with utilities that are mostly subsidized, as electricity and water charges are either fully funded by the government or are charged at a very low rate.
6. Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
Under LTC, DIGs and their family members may travel anywhere within India and get free or discounted travel by rail or air. The frequency of this benefit is either once every two or four years based on one’s choice of scheme.
7. Pension and Retirement Benefits
The pension scheme for IPS officers including DIGs is the National Pension System (NPS). When they retire, apart from pension, they receive gratuity and post-retirement medical benefits which together provide them with financial security for the rest of their lives.
DIG Training and Promotion Pathway
Indirectly, an IPS officer who just joined the service as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) will not be the entry level of a newly recruited officer Yet an understanding of the training and promotion route will show at what stage the DIG salary per month can be expected within a career.
Initially, probationers take training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad and at that time, they receive a monthly stipend of around 55,000 to 60,000 besides free accommodation and meals. After the training course, they are appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) at Level 10.
The promotion journey follows this path:
- ASP (Level 10) on joining
- SP after about 4 to 5 years
- Senior SP / Junior Administrative Grade at around 9 years
- DIG (Level 13) at approximately 13 to 14 years
- IG at around 18 years
- ADG and DGP in the later stages of service
DIG Salary vs IPS Ranks
| Feature | ASP (Entry Level) | DIG (Selection Grade) | DGP (Top Level) |
| Pay Level | Level 10 | Level 13 | Level 16 |
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100 | ₹1,18,500 | ₹2,25,000 (Fixed) |
| Approx. In-Hand | ₹70,000 to ₹95,000 | ₹1,40,000 to ₹1,70,000 | ₹2,00,000+ |
| Years of Service | 0 | 13 to 14 | 30+ |
Looking at the figures gives you an idea of how much the salary of a DIG (Deputy Inspector General) per month changes after initial few years of service which almost doubles the amount in-hand when compared with entry-level posting.
DIG Salary After Different Service Milestones
DIG Salary After 13 to 15 Years of Service
The stage when majority of the IPS officers get promoted to the DIG level.
Here the basic pay range is from 1,18,500 to 1,30,000 and the take-home salary usually ranges from 1,40,000 to 1,55,000 per month, depending on the place of posting and the allowance part that is applicable, etc.
DIG Salary After 18 to 20 Years of Service
Those at Level 13 for long intervals owing to the promotion calendars or availability of cadre vacancies, will be eligible for their basic pay to be stepped up by increments to a level of about 1,50,000 to 1,70,000, which leads to an in-hand salary of nearly 1,80,000 per month.
DIG Job Profile and Key Responsibilities
The remuneration and benefits available to a DIG level officer are equally weighted by the seriousness of the duties they are entrusted with.
A DIG is responsible for policing at a range level, which normally may cover several districts.
Supervising and analyzing law enforcement functioning within the entire range
Keeping a tab on the crime prevention and detection abilities of the police in the districts within the jurisdiction
Managing counter-insurgency and other anti-terrorism related operations where the situation arises
Carrying out inspection visits to police stations and district police officesLiaising with the state law enforcement intelligence agencies and the local district administration
Handling disciplinary actions against the lower-ranking officers
Being instrumental in the planning of disaster response and internal security
Since the DIG is the direct leader and supervisor of the SPs and district police forces, it is without a doubt the position with the most operational significance in an IPS officer’s career.
Is the DIG Salary Per Month Worth the Career Investment?
Absolutely. DIG salary per month plus full gamut of benefits like government accommodation, car security staff and medical provision, actually makes it one of the most all-around comprehensive compensation packages in the Indian governmental service. There are very few professions at the level of seniority that can parallel this combination of financial remuneration, social standing, career stability and even the opportunity to contribute to the country in a significant role.
For those preparing for UPSC and want to get into IPS, DIG is a very achievable and at the same time highly rewarding rank. You will get it only after spending many years in the service, but the journey is well supported by the steady pay increments, clear promotion career ladders and an unrivalled set of official perks and privileges.
Conclusion
The DIG salary per month 2026 is a mirror to the level, know-how, and administrative influence that the rank carries in the Indian Police Service. A basic salary of 1,18,500 at Level 13, net salary of 1,40,000 to 1,70,000, and a package of benefits extending way beyond a monthly salary slip definitely make the DIG post one of the prime spots in public service.
If you are a UPSC candidate trying to chart your career path or a serving officer looking for your financial plan, the knowledge of the full picture about DIG salary would surely help you in making informed and confident decisions. After all, the IPS is not just a profession; it’s a lifetime dedication to law, order, and safeguarding the nation.
FAQs
Q1. What is the DIG salary per month in 2026?
A DIG draws a basic pay of ₹1,18,500 at Level 13 of the 7th Pay Commission. With all allowances included, the gross salary exceeds ₹2 lakh and the in-hand salary typically ranges from ₹1,40,000 to ₹1,70,000 per month.
Q2. After how many years of IPS service does an officer become a DIG?
Most IPS officers reach the DIG rank after approximately 13 to 14 years of service, subject to vacancy availability in the cadre and performance-based evaluation.
Q3. Does a DIG get a government house?
Yes, a DIG is entitled to an official government residence. If no quarters are available, the officer receives HRA as per their city category, which can be up to 27% of basic pay for metro postings.
Q4. What is the Dearness Allowance for a DIG in 2026?
As of 2026, DA stands at approximately 50% of basic pay, which translates to around ₹59,250 for a DIG with a basic pay of ₹1,18,500.
Q5. Is the DIG salary taxable?
Yes, like all government employees, a DIG’s salary is subject to income tax as per the applicable slab rates. Deductions under NPS contributions and standard deductions can reduce the tax liability significantly.
Q6. What is the difference between DIG and IG salary?
A DIG sits at Pay Level 13 with a basic pay starting at ₹1,18,500, while an IG is at Level 14 with a starting basic pay of ₹1,44,200. The in-hand salary difference is approximately ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per month.
Q7. What pension does a DIG receive after retirement?
IPS officers including DIGs receive pension under the National Pension System (NPS). The monthly pension amount depends on the corpus accumulated during service, along with gratuity benefits payable at the time of retirement.
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