Who This Scenario Is For
A 10 LPA package is typical for mid-level professionals in India — software engineers with 3-5 years of experience, senior analysts, team leads, product managers, or specialists in IT services, product companies, consulting, and financial services.
This salary level is often considered a comfortable middle-class income in Indian metros, allowing for decent savings after covering rent, expenses, and some investments.
The actual in-hand salary from a 10 LPA CTC is approximately ₹68,000 to ₹72,000 per month, depending on your company's salary structure, your chosen tax regime, and available deductions.
Detailed Salary Breakdown (10 LPA CTC)
| Component | Annual (₹) | Monthly (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual CTC | 10,00,000 | 83,333 |
| Salary Components (What makes up CTC) | ||
| Basic Pay (40% of CTC) | 4,00,000 | 33,333 |
| HRA (50% of Basic) | 2,00,000 | 16,667 |
| Special Allowance | 3,00,000 | 25,000 |
| Employer PF (Capped at ₹1,800/month) | 21,600 | 1,800 |
| Gratuity (Annual Component) | 78,400 | 6,533 |
| Deductions (What gets subtracted) | ||
| Employee PF (Capped at ₹1,800/month) | -21,600 | -1,800 |
| Professional Tax (varies by state) | -2,400 | -200 |
| Income Tax (New Regime, no deductions) | -75,000 | -6,250 |
| Monthly In-Hand Salary | ₹68,750 | |
| Annual Take-Home | ₹8,25,000 | |
Note: With old tax regime and full 80C investment (₹1.5 lakh), your tax would be around ₹52,000/year, increasing monthly in-hand to approximately ₹70,667.
Understanding This Breakdown
The PF Cap Matters at This Level
At 10 LPA with 40% basic (₹4,00,000 annually or ₹33,333/month), your basic exceeds the PF ceiling of ₹15,000. Therefore, PF contribution is calculated on ₹15,000 only, which comes to ₹1,800/month (12% of ₹15,000) instead of ₹4,000/month (12% of ₹33,333).
This cap actually benefits you — you get to take home more money while still building retirement savings through PF.
Tax Considerations at 10 LPA
New Tax Regime: Taxable income is ₹9,50,000 (after ₹50,000 standard deduction). Tax calculation:
- Up to ₹3 lakh: Nil
- ₹3-7 lakh: 5% = ₹20,000
- ₹7-10 lakh: 10% = ₹30,000
- ₹10-12 lakh: 15% = ₹0 (income is ₹9.5L)
- Total tax: ₹50,000 + ₹25,000 cess = ₹52,500 + rebate adjustments ≈ ₹75,000
Old Tax Regime: If you invest ₹1.5 lakh in 80C (including your PF), claim HRA exemption (say ₹1 lakh), and use standard deduction, your taxable income drops to around ₹7 lakh, reducing tax to approximately ₹52,000 annually. This saves you ₹23,000 per year.
Why Companies Structure Salary This Way
The 40% basic, 20% HRA, 30% special allowance split is common because it balances tax efficiency with flexibility. Higher basic means higher PF (though capped), but also higher gratuity. HRA provides tax exemption opportunities in the old regime.
Why Results May Vary
- Some companies have 50% basic, others 35%
- Variable pay or performance bonus may be part of CTC
- Stock options (ESOPs) are often included in CTC at this level
- Professional tax is ₹200 in most metros, ₹0 in some states
- Tax varies significantly based on regime choice and deductions
Want Your Exact Numbers Based on Your Details?
Every company structures salary differently. Use our calculator to get precise in-hand salary based on your specific CTC breakdown and tax situation.
Use Salary CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Why is my in-hand only 68-70K when CTC is 10 lakh?
CTC includes employer contributions (PF, gratuity) that you don't receive monthly. Additionally, income tax at this level is significant (₹52,000-75,000 annually). After all deductions, you receive about 70% of your CTC annually as take-home.
Should I choose old or new tax regime at 10 LPA?
At 10 LPA, old regime is usually better if you have HRA to claim and can invest ₹1.5 lakh in 80C. This can save you ₹20,000-25,000 annually compared to new regime. Use our tax calculator to compare for your exact situation.
Why is PF only ₹1,800 when my basic is ₹33,333?
PF contributions are capped at 12% of ₹15,000 (₹1,800/month), even if your basic salary is higher. This is a regulatory limit set by EPFO. The remaining amount goes to your take-home or other allowances.
Can I reduce my tax further at 10 LPA?
Yes, in old regime. Apart from 80C (₹1.5 lakh), you can claim HRA exemption, 80D for health insurance (₹25,000), NPS under 80CCD(1B) (₹50,000), and home loan interest under 24(b) (₹2 lakh). These can significantly reduce taxable income.
Is 10 LPA a good salary in India in 2026?
Yes, 10 LPA is above the median salary in India and considered comfortable middle-class income. In metros, after ₹20,000-30,000 rent and ₹30,000 expenses, you can still save ₹15,000-20,000 monthly. In smaller cities, savings potential is higher.
Does bonus affect monthly in-hand at 10 LPA?
If your CTC includes a variable bonus (say 10%), that amount is not part of monthly salary. You receive it quarterly or annually based on performance. This example assumes fixed CTC without variable components.
What if my company doesn't provide HRA?
If there's no HRA component, you can't claim HRA exemption even in old regime. However, you can still claim 80C deductions. Some companies replace HRA with higher special allowance, which increases taxable income slightly.