Group A, B, C and gazetted: what the classification means
How central posts are grouped, what 'gazetted' adds, and why it matters less than the pay level.
The groups
Central civil posts are classified into groups mainly by pay level. The broad rule, with exceptions that individual notifications state:
| Group | Typical pay levels | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | Level 10 and above | IAS, IPS, IRS, engineers recruited through UPSC |
| B | Levels 6 to 9 | Assistant Section Officer, inspectors in tax departments, Assistant Audit Officer |
| C | Levels 1 to 5 | Clerks, tax assistants, constables, multi-tasking staff, most railway posts |
Group D no longer exists as a separate class in the central government. Its posts were merged into Group C at Level 1, though people still say 'Group D' for the railway Level 1 exam.
Gazetted and non-gazetted
A gazetted officer is one whose appointment is published in the official gazette. All Group A officers and some Group B officers are gazetted. Gazetted officers have the authority to attest documents and usually have supervisory or statutory powers.
Most Group B posts filled through SSC are non-gazetted at entry and become gazetted on the first promotion, for example Inspector to Superintendent or Income Tax Officer. Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer are gazetted from the start.
What actually matters when choosing
- Pay level decides your salary. Two posts in the same group can differ by several thousand rupees a month.
- The nature of work matters more than the label: desk or field, shifts or office hours, transfers or one city.
- Promotion speed varies hugely between departments in the same group.
The same post can also be classified differently by different employers. Sub-Inspector is Group C in Delhi Police and Group B in the central armed police forces, at the same pay level.
Common questions
Is a Group C job a low job?+
No. Group C includes skilled and well-paid posts such as loco pilots, station masters and tax assistants. The group reflects the entry pay level, not the importance of the work.
Go further
More guides
- Government career options by field: clerk, peon, courts, doctors, nurses, municipal bodies and more
- Court jobs at every level: Supreme Court, High Courts and district courts
- How to become a government teacher: D.El.Ed, B.Ed, M.Ed, CTET, TET and the recruitment exams
- How government recruitment works, from notification to joining
HowIndiaEarns is an independent guide. Rules change through government orders, so confirm anything that affects your eligibility in the official notification. Pay figures use rates as of January 2026.