Inspector (Central Excise / CGST)
निरीक्षक (केंद्रीय उत्पाद शुल्क / सीजीएसटी)
Pay Level 7 post in CBIC via SSC CGL — GST audit, anti-evasion and compliance work in a central GST zone.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) · Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue)
Exam
SSC CGL
Qualification
Graduate
Age limit
18–30 years
Transfers
Within your allotted zone/region
Work hours
Regular office hours in range and headquarters postings; irregular during searches and at year-end
Probation
2 years
Estimated in-hand / month
₹76,316
Gross ₹83,700 · CTC ≈ ₹11.3 lakh/yr
Where are you posted?
Inspector (Central Excise / CGST) · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.
New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.
What you will actually do
- Scrutinising GST returns and following up on short payment or wrong input tax credit claims
- Assisting in audits of registered taxpayers' books and records
- Verifying new GST registrations, including visits to business premises
- Taking part in anti-evasion inspections and searches when posted to the preventive wing
- Processing refund claims and preparing draft show-cause notices
- Maintaining range office records and reports on the GST portal
A typical day
In a range office the day is mostly at a desk: checking returns flagged by the system, calling or emailing taxpayers about mismatches, and drafting letters and notices for the Superintendent to sign. Registration verification can take you out to a shop or factory for an hour or two. In audit or anti-evasion postings there is more travel and the occasional long day during a search. Month-end and financial year-end bring a pile of reports and pending refund files.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Inspector (Central Excise / CGST) (joining)
Pay Level 7
₹72,000–₹84,000 in-hand
Superintendent (Group B gazetted)
10–18 years, varies a lot by zone · Level 8 · via dpc
₹76,000–₹88,000 in-hand
Assistant Commissioner
Further 10–15 years; many retire as Superintendent · Level 10 · via dpc
₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-hand
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Staff Selection Commission
- 1.Tier-I computer-based test
- 2.Tier-II computer-based test (including computer knowledge module)
- 3.Physical standards and physical test check by the department
- 4.Document verification
Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Age 18–30. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.
Physical standards: Men: height 157.5 cm, chest 81 cm (expanded), walk 1,600 m in 15 minutes and cycle 8 km in 30 minutes. Women: height 152 cm, weight 48 kg, walk 1 km in 20 minutes and cycle 3 km in 25 minutes. Relaxations apply for some categories; check the notification.
The good
- ✓ Level 7 entry pay, among the highest through SSC CGL
- ✓ Mix of desk work and field work, with real statutory powers
- ✓ Postings are mostly in cities and district headquarters
The hard parts
- – Promotion to Superintendent is slow in several zones
- – Inter-zone transfers are hard to get
- – Revenue targets and year-end pressure are constant
Postings
You are allotted a CGST zone (for example Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal or Lucknow) on merit and preference, and usually stay within that zone. Inter-zone transfer is difficult, so choose the zone carefully. Within the zone you rotate between range, division, audit and anti-evasion offices.
Questions people ask
What is the in-hand salary of Inspector (Central Excise / CGST)?+
Inspector (Central Excise / CGST) is a Pay Level 7 post with a starting basic pay of ₹44,900. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹72,000–₹84,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.
What is the qualification and age limit for Inspector (Central Excise / CGST)?+
Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Age: 18–30 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years (more for SC/ST/OBC PwBD), as per the notification.
Which exam do I need to clear for Inspector (Central Excise / CGST)?+
SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission).
Does a GST Inspector wear a uniform?+
A uniform is prescribed for the executive cadre, but in most GST range and audit offices it is worn only on formal occasions. Customs postings use it far more.
Can I get my home state?+
Only if a zone covering your state has vacancies and your rank is high enough for it. Once allotted, moving to another zone is difficult.
Compare with similar posts
Preventive Officer (Customs)
निवारक अधिकारी (सीमा शुल्क)
Uniformed Pay Level 7 Customs post via SSC CGL — passenger clearance, cargo checks and anti-smuggling at ports and airports.
Examiner (Customs)
परीक्षक (सीमा शुल्क)
Pay Level 7 Customs post via SSC CGL — physically examining import and export cargo and checking it against the declaration.
Income Tax Inspector
आयकर निरीक्षक
Pay Level 7 post in the Income Tax Department via SSC CGL — part office, part field work verifying tax compliance.
Books to prepare for SSC CGL
- See on Amazon
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
The standard practice book for arithmetic. Strong on volume of questions; weak on shortcuts, so pair it with solved papers.
- See on Amazon
SSC Mathematics Chapterwise Solved Papers
Kiran Prakashan
Thousands of actual SSC questions sorted by topic. The quickest way to see what is really asked.
- See on Amazon
Objective General English
S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
Grammar rules with exam-style practice sets. Good for error spotting and sentence improvement.
All 7 books for SSC CGL, CPO and other graduate-level exams
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Sources
- SSC CGL 2026 notice (official PDF)
- Staff Selection Commission — official website
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.