Ending a long wait, the government has issued the gazette for the 9th National Pay Scale for government employees. Under the new salary structure, the minimum basic pay has been set at Tk20,000 and the maximum at Tk156,000. The new pay scale will take effect in three phases from July this year, while allowances and the full salary structure will be implemented from January 2028.
The Cabinet approved the 9th National Pay Scale on August 31, and the gazette was issued on September 17, according to the government gazette archive.
The implementation date has been set as July 1, 2026. However, the increased salaries and other benefits will be introduced in phases, with the new rates for salaries and allowances coming into full effect from January 2028.
The government’s additional annual expenditure for implementing the new pay scale is estimated at around Tk106,000 crore. To manage the financial burden, the salary structure will be implemented in three stages.
From July to December 2026, basic pay will increase by 40 percent for employees in Grade 9 and above and by 50 percent for those in Grades 10 to 20. From January to June 2027, the increases will rise to 70 percent and 75 percent, respectively. From July 1, 2027, basic pay will be fully implemented along with the annual increment.
The existing 20 grades will remain under the new pay scale. The basic pay for Grade 20 will rise from Tk8,250 to Tk20,000, while the basic pay for Grade 1 will increase from Tk78,000 to Tk156,000. Depending on the grade, basic pay will rise by around 100 percent to a maximum of 142 percent.
The salaries of contract-based appointees, the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister have been set at Tk172,000. Senior secretaries will receive Tk164,000.
Medical and education allowances
The new salary structure also sets medical allowances according to age. Government employees up to the age of 50 will receive Tk3,000 per month, while those above 50 will receive Tk4,000 until the end of their post-retirement leave (PRL).
For pensioners, the monthly medical allowance will range from Tk3,000 to Tk6,000 depending on age.
An education assistance allowance of Tk500 per child per month has been introduced, up to a maximum of two children, meaning an employee can receive up to Tk1,000 per month.
Employees in Grades 11 to 20 will receive a monthly tiffin allowance of Tk500. Those working in city corporation areas will also receive Tk600 as a transport allowance.
Employees in Grade 5 and above will receive Tk500 per month as a mobile phone allowance, while those in Grades 6 to 20 will receive Tk150.
The Bengali New Year allowance, or Bangla Nababarsha allowance, has been set at 15 percent of basic pay. The existing two annual festival allowances and recreation allowance will continue.
However, house rent and other allowances will remain at their existing rates until December 31, 2027. The new rates for these allowances will take effect from January 1, 2028.
Higher pension benefits
Pensioners will also receive additional benefits under the new pay scale. The additional pension prescribed under the new structure will be added to their existing net pension in phases.
The full pension rate will take effect from July 1, 2027.
Government employees will also receive arrears for the salaries and pensions they were entitled to from the effective date of the new pay scale until the date the gazette was issued.
The new gazette does not apply uniformly to all government services. Separate orders will be issued for the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), defence services, judicial service, and state-owned and autonomous organisations.
