The SSC MTS salary starts at ₹18,000 basic pay per month, because both Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) and Havaldar posts are at Pay Level 1 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. On top of the basic you get DA, HRA and transport allowance. The SSC MTS exam is one of the best sarkari job chances for students who have passed class 10.
Salary at a glance
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Many parents ask me if MTS is "only a peon job". It is a permanent central government job with regular pay rise, pension under NPS, medical cover and a real path to clerk posts later. For a 10th pass student, that is a strong start.
What is MTS job and who conducts the exam
MTS full form is Multi Tasking Staff. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) holds the Multi Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar exam to fill Group C posts in central ministries, departments and offices across India. The same exam also fills Havaldar posts in CBIC (customs and GST offices) and CBN (Central Bureau of Narcotics).
So what is multi tasking staff job? You support the office in many small but important ways. That is why it is called "multi tasking".
SSC MTS posts and salary
| Post | Where you work | Pay level | Starting basic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) | Central ministries, departments and offices, including post offices | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
| Havaldar | CBIC (customs, GST and central excise offices) | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
| Havaldar | CBN (Central Bureau of Narcotics) | Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
The pay range at Level 1 is ₹18,000 to ₹56,900. So the SSC MTS havaldar salary and the regular MTS salary start at the same basic. There is no "highest salary" post at the start. The difference comes later from city, allowances and promotions.
SSC MTS salary per month and in-hand
Your monthly pay slip has these parts:
- Basic pay of ₹18,000, which rises every year by the annual increment of about 3%.
- DA (Dearness Allowance): a rate set on your basic and revised by the government in two steps each year.
- HRA: paid for your rent, at three rates for X, Y and Z class cities. A big city posting gives you more.
- Transport Allowance: a monthly amount for travel; the rate is lower for Level 1 and 2 staff than for higher levels.
- NPS and other cuts: your pension share, CGHS and group insurance come out of the gross.
Our Level 1 pay box, placed above this article, works out gross and take-home pay using the DA rate now in force. Use the calculator to check your city:
The MTS salary in a post office in a small town will be a little lower in hand than MTS in a Delhi ministry, mainly because of HRA. Read salary allowances explained for each part.
How pay grows: SSC MTS salary after 5 years and 10 years
After 5 years, your basic is higher because of five annual increments, and DA would also have gone up. After 10 years, if you have not been promoted, the MACP scheme gives you a financial upgrade to the next pay level (Level 2). Many MTS staff get promoted earlier through departmental exams.
Eligibility: qualification and age limit
- Qualification: class 10 (matriculation) pass from a recognised board, by the cut-off date in the notice.
- Age limit: 18 to 25 years for most MTS posts. It is 18 to 27 years for Havaldar in CBIC and CBN and for a few MTS posts in some departments. Check the post-wise age limit in the latest notice.
| Category | Upper age relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe | 5 extra years |
| Other Backward Classes | 3 extra years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | 10 extra years (13 for OBC, 15 for SC and ST) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) | 3 extra years, after subtracting years served in the forces |
Fee is ₹100. Women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen candidates do not pay. See age limit for govt jobs for how relaxation works.
SSC MTS exam pattern and syllabus
The SSC MTS exam is a single computer based exam held in two sessions on the same day. As per the latest notice, the pattern is:
| Session | Subject | Questions | Marks | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Numerical and Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 | None |
| Session 1 | Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving | 20 | 60 | None |
| Session 2 | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 1 mark per wrong answer |
| Session 2 | English Language and Comprehension | 25 | 75 | 1 mark per wrong answer |
MTS exam time: each session is 45 minutes (60 minutes for candidates who use a scribe). You must attempt both sessions. Session 2 is checked only if you get the minimum marks in Session 1: 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for others. The MTS merit list is made from Session 2 marks. Havaldar candidates are called for a physical test (PET/PST) based on Session 2 marks.
SSC MTS exam syllabus (also called the multi tasking staff exam syllabus) is at about class 10 level:
- Maths: number system, percentage, ratio, average, interest, profit and loss, time and work, simple mensuration.
- Reasoning: analogy, series, coding and decoding, odd one out, direction sense, figures.
- General Awareness: history, geography, polity, economy, science and current affairs, at about class 10 level.
- English: English language vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms and antonyms, writing ability through comprehension.
Havaldar physical test (PET and PST)
| Test | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | 1,600 metres in 15 minutes | 1 km in 20 minutes |
| Height | 157.5 cm | 152 cm |
| Chest | 81 cm fully expanded, with at least 5 cm expansion | Not required |
| Weight | Not required | 48 kg |
Height and weight are relaxed for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas and Scheduled Tribe candidates, as given in the notice. MTS (non-Havaldar) posts have no physical test.
SSC MTS job profile: day to day work
MTS: general office work such as keeping files and records, taking files and letters between sections, photocopying, simple data entry and computer work, opening and closing the office, upkeep of the office and help in day to day running. In some offices you may also handle dak (post) and diary work.
Havaldar: you help CBIC or CBN officers in field and office work, like checking goods, guarding seized items, and supporting search and seizure duty. It is more physical and may involve shift work.
SSC MTS job profile for female candidates is the same as for men. Women can apply for both MTS and Havaldar, and do not pay the fee.
Promotions and other MTS exams
MTS staff can move to LDC (Lower Division Clerk) in many departments through a departmental exam or seniority quota, and then go up the clerical line. Many also finish class 12 or graduation while working and appear for SSC CHSL or SSC CGL.
Some bodies recruit MTS on their own, such as ESIC, DRDO and the Intelligence Bureau. The ESIC MTS exam, DRDO MTS exam and IB MTS exam are separate, and their pay and exam pattern are set in their own notices. India Post MTS posts are also filled through the SSC MTS exam in many cycles.
How to prepare for SSC MTS
- Spend the first 2 months on maths basics and simple reasoning.
- Read class 6 to 10 school books for general awareness, and current affairs daily.
- For English, learn 10 new words a day and practise basic grammar.
- Give mock tests in two sessions, just like the real exam.
- Havaldar aspirants should walk or run daily to build stamina.
Most students need 5 to 8 months of focused study. Also see SSC GD Constable, the list of govt jobs after 10th and all SSC exams.
Official website
Apply on ssc.gov.in. Exam dates, vacancy count, cut-off and results change every cycle, so check the latest notice there.
Questions students ask
What is the SSC MTS salary per month?
SSC MTS and Havaldar are at Pay Level 1, with a starting basic of ₹18,000. DA, HRA and transport allowance are added. For today's take-home figure, look at the Level 1 pay box at the start of this page.
What is the MTS havaldar salary?
Havaldar in CBIC and CBN is also at Pay Level 1, so the starting basic is ₹18,000, the same as MTS. The pay range at this level goes up to ₹56,900 over a career.
What is the SSC MTS salary after 10 years?
Your basic rises about 3% every year. If you are not promoted in 10 years, the MACP scheme moves you to Pay Level 2. With promotion to LDC or higher, pay rises faster.
What is the MTS salary in post office?
MTS in the Department of Posts is at Pay Level 1, starting at ₹18,000 basic plus allowances. In-hand pay depends on the HRA class of your posting town.
Is there negative marking in SSC MTS exam?
As per the latest notice, Session 1 (Maths and Reasoning) has no negative marking. Session 2 (General Awareness and English) has 1 mark cut for each wrong answer. Each question carries 3 marks.
What is the age limit for SSC MTS?
It is 18 to 25 years for most MTS posts, and 18 to 27 years for Havaldar in CBIC and CBN and a few MTS posts. SC and ST get 5 years, OBC 3 years and PwBD 10 years (13 for OBC, 15 for SC and ST) of relaxation.
Sources and official websites
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources. Rules change with each notification, so always read the latest one before you apply.
- SSC notice: Multi Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar (CBIC and CBN) Examination (latest cycle)
- SATHEE (IIT Kanpur, Ministry of Education): SSC MTS and Havaldar announcement (pay level, qualification, Havaldar walking test)
- Staff Selection Commission official website
Last checked on 11 October. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page.