If you are preparing for the KPSC or KEA exam, “FDA Salary in Karnataka” is probably the first thing you searched before the syllabus itself — and that’s fair, because the First Division Assistant (FDA) post is one of the most stable and well-paid Group-C government jobs in the state. This guide breaks down the FDA pay scale before and after the 7th Pay Commission, the real in-hand salary after deductions, how it compares to SDA, and what changes as you cross 10 years of service.
TL;DR — FDA Salary in Karnataka at a Glance
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Post | First Division Assistant (FDA), Group-C |
| Recruiting Bodies | KPSC, KEA, individual departments, Karnataka High Court |
| Pay Scale (2018–July 2024) | ₹27,650 – ₹52,650 |
| Present Pay Scale (After 7th Pay Commission, Aug 2024 onward) | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 |
| Approx. In-Hand Salary (2025–2026) | ₹48,000 – ₹58,000 per month (varies by city) |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s degree (any stream) + Kannada + computer knowledge |
| Age Limit | 18–35 years (relaxation for reserved categories) |
What Is an FDA in Karnataka?
FDA stands for First Division Assistant, a Group-C clerical-cum-administrative post found across almost every Karnataka state government department, directorate, secretariat wing, and the Karnataka High Court. An FDA handles file movement, drafting official letters and notes, record-keeping, data entry into government systems, and often supervises the work of Second Division Assistants (SDA) in the same section. It’s considered a senior clerical role compared to SDA, both in duties and pay.
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SDA and FDA Salary in Karnataka: Quick Comparison
People searching for “Sda FDA Salary in Karnataka” or “Sda and FDA Salary in Karnataka” usually want a side-by-side view. Here it is:
| Feature | SDA (Second Division Assistant) | FDA (First Division Assistant) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | PUC / 12th pass | Bachelor’s degree (any stream) |
| Pay Scale (2018–2024) | ₹21,400 – ₹42,000 | ₹27,650 – ₹52,650 |
| Present Pay Scale (2025–2026) | ₹34,100 – ₹67,600 | ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 |
| Approx. In-Hand Salary | ₹36,000 – ₹42,000/month | ₹48,000 – ₹58,000/month |
| Nature of Work | Basic data entry, file handling, assisting seniors | File disposal, drafting, supervising SDAs |
| Promotion Track | SDA → FDA → Assistant Section Officer | FDA → Assistant Section Officer → Section Officer |
FDA is the senior post — higher starting pay, more responsibility, and a shorter runway to the next promotion.
FDA Salary in Karnataka Pay Scale — Before and After the 7th Pay Commission
Karnataka doesn’t automatically follow the Central Pay Commission; the state runs its own State Pay Commission for its employees. This is exactly why the numbers you’ll find online vary so much depending on which year the article was written in.
FDA Salary in Karnataka 2018, 2019 and 2022
Under the Karnataka Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2018 — based on the 6th State Pay Commission’s recommendations — the FDA pay scale was fixed at ₹27,650 – ₹52,650, built on a master scale with a minimum of ₹17,000. This scale stayed unchanged through 2019, 2022, and right up to mid-2024, which is why FDA Salary in Karnataka 2018, FDA Salary in Karnataka 2019, and FDA Salary in Karnataka 2022 all refer to the same figures.
FDA Salary in Karnataka After 7th Pay Commission
In July 2024, the Karnataka government announced the implementation of the 7th State Pay Commission recommendations, effective 1 August 2024, delivering roughly a 27.5% hike in basic pay. The state’s minimum basic pay moved from ₹17,000 to ₹27,000, and the maximum from ₹1,50,000 to ₹2,41,200 — a revision that reshaped every Group-C pay scale, FDA included.
FDA Salary in Karnataka as per 7th Pay Commission: ₹44,425 – ₹83,700
SDA Salary in Karnataka as per 7th Pay Commission: ₹34,100 – ₹67,600
So if someone asks “what changed” — the basic pay of a fresh FDA recruit jumped from ₹27,650 to ₹44,425 practically overnight with this revision.
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Present FDA Salary in Karnataka (2025–2026)
The present FDA Salary in Karnataka, and the one relevant for FDA Salary in Karnataka 2025, FDA Salary in Karnataka 2025 Per Month, FDA Salary in Karnataka 2024 Per Month, and FDA Salary in Karnataka 2026, is the post-7th-Pay-Commission scale of ₹44,425 – ₹83,700.
On top of this basic pay, an FDA also draws:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Revised periodically by the state Finance Department. As of early 2026, the rate stands at approximately 15.75% of basic pay (recently raised from 14.25%). Always check the latest Finance Department circular, since DA on the new 7th-PC base is calculated differently from the old scale and gets revised every few months.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): City-classification based — highest in Bengaluru (Category A), lower in Category B and C towns.
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA): A small fixed amount for employees posted in bigger cities.
- Medical Allowance: A modest fixed monthly amount for employees not availing cashless medical facilities.
FDA Salary in Karnataka Per Month — Full Breakdown (2025–2026)
Here’s roughly how a fresh FDA’s monthly payslip looks in Bengaluru right now:
| Component | Approx. Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 44,425 |
| Dearness Allowance (~15.75%) | ~6,995 |
| House Rent Allowance (20% — Bengaluru) | ~8,885 |
| City Compensatory Allowance | ~750 |
| Medical Allowance | ~500 |
| Gross Salary | ~61,555 |
| Less: NPS Contribution (~10% of Basic + DA) | ~5,142 |
| Less: KGID (Group Insurance-cum-Savings) | ~3,000 – 4,000 |
| Less: Professional Tax | ~200 |
| Approx. Net In-Hand Salary | ~48,000 – ₹52,000 |
In a smaller B or C category town, HRA drops to around 14% or 8% of basic pay respectively, which brings the take-home down slightly — typically in the ₹44,000–48,000 range for a fresher. These figures are indicative; your actual payslip will depend on your posting, increment stage, and department-specific allowances.
KPSC FDA Salary in Karnataka
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) is the primary recruiting authority for FDA posts across Secretariat departments, Directorates, and various state offices. KPSC releases FDA notifications periodically (often clubbed with SDA vacancies), conducts a written exam followed by document verification, and recruits candidates directly onto the ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 scale post-7th Pay Commission. Pay, probation, increments, and promotion rules for KPSC-recruited FDAs follow standard Karnataka Civil Services Rules.
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KEA FDA Salary in Karnataka
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducts a common recruitment exam for FDA, SDA, and several other Group-C/D posts across multiple departments in a single notification cycle — for instance, a 2025 KEA drive advertised over 700 vacancies spanning FDA, SDA, Junior Assistant, Conductor, AE/JE, and Librarian posts. Pay for KEA-recruited FDAs is identical to the KPSC scale — both ultimately follow the same state pay matrix, so there’s no salary difference based on which body recruited you, only a difference in exam pattern and vacancy source.
High Court FDA Salary in Karnataka
The Karnataka High Court recruits its own FDA and SDA staff separately, under the High Court of Karnataka’s own recruitment and service rules rather than through KPSC or KEA. Interestingly, High Court staff pay has historically been benchmarked to the Central 7th CPC pay-matrix levels rather than the state’s master scale — for example, the High Court SDA post has been placed at Pay Level-4 (₹25,500–₹81,100 pre-revision), with FDA sitting a level higher. Since High Court recruitment rules and pay levels are revised separately from state Group-C posts, candidates should always cross-check the exact current scale in the official High Court notification (karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in) rather than assuming it’s identical to the KPSC/KEA scale.
Eligibility Criteria for FDA in Karnataka
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BBA, BCA, etc.) from a UGC-recognized university.
- Kannada Language: Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Kannada — this is compulsory, and one exam paper is conducted entirely in Kannada.
- Computer Knowledge: A basic computer proficiency certificate (such as a Government-recognized ‘O’ level or equivalent) is mandatory.
- Age Limit: Generally 18 to 35 years, with standard relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwD and other reserved categories as per Karnataka government norms.
FDA Salary in Karnataka After 10 Years
This is one of the most searched follow-up questions, and understandably so — the starting pay is only part of the picture. Over a 10-year span, an FDA typically benefits from:
- Annual increments within the ₹44,425–₹83,700 pay band, pushing basic pay well past the ₹55,000–₹60,000 mark by year 10 for most employees.
- At least one promotion in many departments — commonly to Assistant Section Officer or an equivalent Senior Assistant grade, which moves the employee onto a higher pay band entirely.
- Rising DA and HRA, since both are percentage-linked to basic pay and revised periodically.
Put together, a 10-year FDA (promoted or not) can reasonably expect a gross monthly salary in the ₹70,000–₹90,000+ range, though the exact figure depends heavily on department, posting city, and promotion timeline. This is only an estimate — please refer to your department’s seniority list and pay fixation order for your exact figure.
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FDA Promotion and Career Growth Path
| Stage | Approx. Timeline |
|---|---|
| FDA (entry) | Year 0 |
| Senior Assistant / equivalent | ~4–6 years |
| Assistant Section Officer | ~8–10 years |
| Section Officer | Further seniority-based |
| Under Secretary / Deputy Secretary | Long-term, department-dependent |
Employees can also attempt the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam for a faster route into gazetted posts.
Allowances and Benefits for FDA Employees in Karnataka
- Dearness Allowance (DA) — revised periodically
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) — city-classification based
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)
- Medical Allowance / medical reimbursement facility
- National Pension System (NPS) — employee contributes ~10% of Basic+DA, government contributes its matching share
- Karnataka Government Insurance Department (KGID) — a compulsory savings-cum-insurance scheme
- Paid leave, government holidays, and fixed working hours
- Pension and gratuity benefits on retirement (as applicable under NPS rules for post-2006 recruits)
FDA Salary in Karnataka — Job Profile
- Managing and processing official files and correspondence
- Drafting letters, notices, and official reports
- Maintaining departmental records and registers
- Data entry into government portals and HRMS systems
- Coordinating with senior officers and supervising SDA staff
- Handling public queries and grievance-related paperwork
FDA Salary in Karnataka — हिंदी में जानकारी
बहुत से उम्मीदवार हिंदी में जानकारी खोजते हैं, इसलिए यहाँ संक्षेप में बता दें: कर्नाटक में FDA (फर्स्ट डिवीजन असिस्टेंट) का वर्तमान वेतनमान 7वें राज्य वेतन आयोग के बाद ₹44,425 से ₹83,700 प्रति माह है (पहले यह ₹27,650–₹52,650 था)। इन-हैंड सैलरी DA, HRA और अन्य भत्तों को जोड़ने और NPS, KGID जैसी कटौतियों के बाद लगभग ₹48,000 से ₹58,000 प्रति माह बनती है, जो पोस्टिंग शहर पर निर्भर करती है। यह पद KPSC और KEA दोनों के माध्यम से भरा जाता है, और इसके लिए स्नातक डिग्री, कन्नड़ भाषा ज्ञान और कंप्यूटर प्रमाणपत्र अनिवार्य है।
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FAQs on FDA Salary in Karnataka
Q1. What is the salary of FDA in Karnataka?
The current FDA pay scale in Karnataka, effective after the 7th Pay Commission (from August 2024), is ₹44,425 – ₹83,700 per month, with an approximate in-hand salary of ₹48,000 – ₹58,000 after allowances and deductions.
Q2. What is FDA and SDA salary in Karnataka?
FDA’s revised scale is ₹44,425–₹83,700, while SDA’s revised scale is ₹34,100–₹67,600. FDA requires a bachelor’s degree while SDA requires only PUC/12th pass, and FDA carries higher responsibilities and a slightly faster promotion track.
Q3. Is the FDA salary figure shared on Quora accurate?
Quora answers on FDA Salary in Karnataka are often shared by actual employees and are generally close to the real numbers, but they reflect one person’s specific posting, DA rate at that point in time, and personal deductions (like KGID slab). Treat Quora figures as a helpful real-world reference point rather than an official number — always cross-check against your own department’s pay order.
Q4. Is FDA salary in Karnataka the same across KPSC, KEA, and departmental recruitment?
Yes. KPSC and KEA both recruit FDAs onto the same state pay scale. The only real difference is the exam pattern and which vacancies are bundled into the notification — pay is identical.
Q5. Does the FDA salary in Karnataka differ for High Court postings?
Potentially yes. The Karnataka High Court recruits and fixes pay for its own FDA/SDA staff under separate service rules, which have historically referenced the Central 7th CPC pay-matrix levels rather than the state master scale. Always check the official High Court notification for the exact current figure.
Q6. How much does FDA salary increase after 10 years in Karnataka?
With regular annual increments and at least one likely promotion (commonly to Assistant Section Officer), a 10-year FDA can expect a gross monthly salary roughly in the ₹70,000–₹90,000+ range, though this varies by department and promotion timeline.
Q7. Is Kannada language knowledge compulsory for FDA in Karnataka?
Yes, reading, writing, and speaking Kannada is a mandatory eligibility requirement, and one full exam paper is conducted in Kannada.
Disclaimer: The salary figures, pay scales, and allowance percentages mentioned in this article are based on publicly available information and the Karnataka 7th State Pay Commission implementation and are meant for general informational purposes only. Actual pay may vary based on posting location, department, DA revisions, and individual pay fixation. Please refer to the official KPSC (kpsc.kar.nic.in), KEA (kea.kar.nic.in), Karnataka Finance Department, or Karnataka High Court notifications for the most accurate and updated figures before making any career or financial decisions.
— Team SalaryBatao
