West Bengal Police Constable salary 2026 starts at ₹22,700 basic pay on Level 6 of the state’s ROPA 2019 pay matrix, and it’s about to change sharply. Right now, state employees draw DA at just 18%, which leaves a new Constable with roughly ₹28,700 in hand. From 1 October 2026, four days from now, DA jumps to 38%, lifting that figure to around ₹33,000.
That single revision, announced in the new state government’s first budget on 22 June 2026, adds about ₹4,540 a month to every Constable’s DA. It’s the biggest one-step raise West Bengal’s police have seen in years.
| WB Police Constable Pay 2026 | Details |
| Pay matrix | West Bengal ROPA 2019, Level 6 |
| Pay scale | ₹22,700 – ₹58,500 |
| DA (until 30 September 2026) | 18% |
| DA (from 1 October 2026) | 38% |
| Approx. in-hand now | ~₹28,700 |
| Approx. in-hand from October | ~₹33,000 |
| Central DA, for comparison | 60% |
West Bengal Pays on Its Own Matrix
“Level 6” here doesn’t mean what it means for central employees. West Bengal uses its own pay rules, ROPA 2019, with its own level numbering. A WB Constable at state Level 6 starts on ₹22,700. A central government employee at central Level 6, such as a Delhi Police Sub-Inspector, starts on ₹35,400.
Compare like with like. In central terms, a WB Constable’s ₹22,700 sits closest to a CAPF Constable’s ₹21,700 at central Level 3. The basic pay is similar. What’s different is DA.
WB Police Constable Salary In Hand: Before and After 1 October
Allowance rates below follow figures cited in several salary guides: HRA around 12% of basic in Kolkata-type postings, a fixed medical allowance, and ration allowance reported at ₹1,500. Confirm exact amounts on your own payslip.
| Component (₹) | Until 30 Sept (DA 18%) | From 1 Oct (DA 38%) |
| Basic pay | 22,700 | 22,700 |
| DA | 4,086 | 8,626 |
| HRA (~12%) | 2,724 | 2,724 |
| Medical allowance | ~500 | ~500 |
| Ration allowance | ~1,500 | ~1,500 |
| Gross | ~31,510 | ~36,050 |
| Less: GPF, professional tax, group insurance | ~2,800 | ~2,800 |
| Approx. in-hand | ~28,710 | ~33,250 |
Postings in rural districts generally carry lower HRA, trimming the figures by a few hundred rupees. Income tax doesn’t apply at these levels under the new regime.
Even after October, a WB Constable’s DA remains 22 percentage points behind the Centre’s 60%. Unions have asked for the remaining gap to be closed by December, but no decision has been announced.
The DA Fight Behind the Numbers
West Bengal’s DA story explains why Constables here earn less than peers elsewhere, and why that’s starting to change.
- The gap. Before October, WB employees drew 18% DA against 60% at the Centre, a 42-point gap on identical basic pay.
- The unnotified hike. The outgoing government announced a 4-point increase to 22% in February 2026, but it was never formally notified before the state election.
- The Supreme Court ruling. On 5 February 2026, the Supreme Court held that DA is a legally enforceable right and directed the state to pay arrears for April 2008 to December 2019. A committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra was formed to set amounts and payment schedules.
- The arrears plan. The state has since decided to pay those arrears in multiple phases.
For Constables who were in service during 2008–2019, that means lump-sum arrears are also on the way. New recruits won’t qualify for those, but they benefit fully from the October increase.
No NPS in Bengal
Here’s a detail that sets West Bengal apart. Unlike most states, West Bengal never shifted its employees to the National Pension System. State employees, including police, remain under the older pension arrangement, with contributions to the General Provident Fund.
In practice, that means:
- No 10% NPS deduction on basic plus DA, which is why in-hand pay looks closer to gross than in NPS states
- A GPF subscription deducted instead, which you can raise above the minimum to save more
- A defined pension after qualifying service, calculated under state rules
For a young Constable, that pension security has real long-term value, even if the monthly salary looks modest now.
Kolkata Police or WBP?
The state has two separate forces:
- West Bengal Police (WBP) covers districts across the state, recruited through WBPRB.
- Kolkata Police (KP) covers the city of Kolkata, with its own Constable recruitment.
Both start at Level 6 with ₹22,700 basic. Kolkata Police postings may carry city-linked allowances, while WBP postings range from urban centres to remote districts, sometimes with extra allowances in difficult areas.
Promotions
WBPRB has run departmental promotion exams for Constables moving up to ASI/LASI (Unarmed Branch) and ASI (Armed Branch). Clearing them lifts pay to higher ROPA levels, and every step up also raises the DA calculated on basic pay.
The new government’s budget also promised one lakh government jobs. Watch WBPRB and Kolkata Police notices for upcoming Constable recruitment.
FAQs
Q. What is the West Bengal Police Constable salary per month in 2026?
About ₹28,700 in hand at the current 18% DA, rising to roughly ₹33,000 once DA increases to 38% on 1 October 2026. Basic pay starts at ₹22,700.
Q. When will West Bengal DA increase to 38%?
From 1 October 2026. The 20-point increase was announced in the state budget presented on 22 June 2026.
Q. Why is WB Police salary lower than central police salary?
Mainly because of DA. West Bengal employees drew 18% DA against 60% at the Centre. Even at 38%, the state remains 22 points behind.
Q. Do West Bengal Police Constables get NPS?
No. West Bengal didn’t move its employees to NPS. Constables contribute to the General Provident Fund and receive a pension under state rules.
Q. Is Kolkata Police Constable salary different from WBP?
Both start at ROPA Level 6 with ₹22,700 basic pay. Differences come from posting-related allowances, with Kolkata Police serving only in the city.
