Classification Allowance – 7th Pay Commission Recommendation

Classification Allowance

Classification Allowance is granted to PBORs of all three services on attaining certain trade related qualifications in each group. When a sepoy enters service, he is categorized as C14. As he acquires skills, for e.g. weapons handling training, he moves up to C13, then further to C12 and ultimately to C11. For each stage, he receives this allowance at the following rates:

Group	C14 to C13	C13 to C12	C12 to C11
X	–	Rs 120 pm	Rs 120 pm
Y	Rs 100 pm	Rs 100 pm	Rs 100 pm

Demands have been made before the Commission that Classification Allowance should be termed as Classification Pay and amount should be made equal to one increment for each stage. Presently it is paid up to the rank of Havildar and equivalent only. The demand is to extend it to JCOs also.

Analysis and Recommendations

The allowance is not DA indexed. Hence, it is recommended to raise it by a factor of 2.25 to RS. 270 pm for each stage for X group and Rs. 225 pm for each stage for Y group. Other demands do not hold merit.