UPNL Salary 2026: Pay Scale, In-Hand Salary & Equal Pay Update

Quick Answer: UPNL salary for 2026 is determined by the Uttarakhand government’s “equal pay for equal work” order. Eligible personnel who completed 10 years of continuous service as on 25 November 2025 are covered by the equal-pay framework, subject to the applicable government order and implementation conditions. Eligible personnel are entitled to the minimum basic pay of the corresponding government pay level plus dearness allowance (DA). The applicable DA rate was 58% at the time the order was issued and was subsequently revised to 60% effective 1 January 2026. Estimated gross monthly remuneration ranges from approximately ₹31,840 for semi-skilled (Level 2) to ₹89,760 for officer-level (Level 10) personnel — before EPF and ESI deductions. Actual in-hand salary will be lower.

Important note on EPF: The statutory EPF wage ceiling was raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month effective 17 September 2026. For employees whose EPF contributions are restricted to the statutory ceiling, the 12% employee contribution could increase from ₹1,800 to ₹3,000 per month, subject to the applicable EPF provisions and payroll treatment. The illustrative in-hand figures in this article assume a ₹1,800 monthly EPF deduction based on the pre-September 2026 ceiling. If UPNL payroll applies the revised ₹25,000 ceiling, the in-hand salary would be lower by approximately ₹1,200 per month. UPNL personnel should verify the applicable PF contribution basis with their department.

UPNL Salary 2026 at a Glance

Category	Pay Level	Minimum Basic Pay (₹)	Gross at 60% DA (₹)	Illustrative In-Hand* (₹)
Semi-Skilled (अर्द्धकुशल)	Level 2	19,900	31,840	~29,801
Skilled (कुशल)	Level 4	25,500	40,800	~39,000
Highly Skilled (उच्च कुशल)	Level 7	44,900	71,840	—
Officer (अधिकारी)	Level 10	56,100	89,760	—

Notes:

• Basic Pay figures are the minimum of the corresponding Uttarakhand government pay levels, verified from official pay matrix references.
• Gross at 60% DA is an editorial calculation based on the DA rate effective 1 January 2026. The basic pay figures are official; the gross salary calculation is our own.
• Illustrative In-Hand figures are editorial estimates after applicable EPF and ESI deductions. Actual deductions vary depending on the EPF contribution basis used by UPNL payroll and individual circumstances.
• “ — ” = Not shown because actual in-hand depends on the applicable EPF contribution basis and department-level payroll deductions.

What is UPNL?

UPNL stands for Uttarakhand Purv Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (उत्तराखंड पूर्व सैनिक कल्याण निगम लिमिटेड). It is a public undertaking of the Uttarakhand government, incorporated on 1 March 2004, with the primary objective of providing employment and self-employment opportunities to ex-servicemen and their dependents.

According to the UPNL Citizen Charter, UPNL is the largest outsourcing agency in Uttarakhand, providing employment to more than 21,000 personnel, including over 8,000 ex-servicemen and their dependents. UPNL timely deposits both employee and employer shares of EPF and ESI contributions, and the ESI scheme has been applicable since 1 October 2011 for all its employees, wherever applicable.

UPNL full form is often confused with UPL (United Phosphorus Limited), a private agrochemical company. They are entirely different entities.

UPNL Salary Structure: The Traditional Honorarium Model

Historically, UPNL personnel were not paid a regular “salary” in the conventional sense. They received a fixed monthly honorarium based on their skill category. The Uttarakhand High Court in the Kundan Singh vs State of Uttarakhand judgment (Writ Petition No. 116 of 2018) noted that UPNL workmen were being paid an honorarium of ₹8,400 per month, from which GST and service tax were also being deducted.

In August 2020, the Uttarakhand government issued an order increasing UPNL honorarium by approximately 20%. The revised monthly in-hand amounts (after all deductions) were:

Category	Revised Monthly In-Hand (₹)	Previous Monthly In-Hand (₹)	Increase (₹)
Unskilled (अकुशल)	9,922	8,296	1,626
Semi-Skilled (अर्द्धकुशल)	11,330	9,458	1,872
Skilled (कुशल)	12,516	10,439	2,077
Highly Skilled (उच्च कुशल)	13,859	11,548	2,311
Officer (अधिकारी)	35,610	29,675	5,935

Source: Uttarakhand government order dated 21 August 2020. These were cash-in-hand amounts after deductions.

These amounts did not follow the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) matrix that regular state government employees receive.

The Shift to Equal Pay for Equal Work: Complete Timeline

12 November 2018 — Uttarakhand High Court Order (Writ Petition No. 116/2018 PIL)

The Nainital High Court, in Kundan Singh v. State & Others, directed the state government to regularise UPNL personnel in a phased manner within one year and ensure payment of minimum pay-scale with dearness allowance along with arrears.

15 October 2024 — Supreme Court Upholds High Court Order

The Supreme Court dismissed the state government’s Special Leave Petition (SLP), affirming equal pay for approximately 25,000 Uttarakhand workers engaged through UPNL. The Court directed that UPNL employees should receive the minimum of the applicable pay scale plus DA, consistent with the High Court’s directions.

25 November 2025 — CM Dhami’s Announcement (12-Year Threshold)

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that UPNL personnel who had completed 12 years or more of continuous service would be granted the minimum basic pay of the corresponding post plus DA.

2–3 February 2026 — Government Order Issued (10-Year Threshold)

The state government issued a formal Government Order extending equal pay benefits to UPNL personnel who had completed 10 years of continuous service as on 25 November 2025, covering approximately 11,000+ personnel in the first phase. Secretary Sainik Kalyan Dipendra Chaudhary issued the order on behalf of the Uttarakhand government. The order provided that unskilled workers would be entitled to pay at Level 1, semi-skilled workers at Level 2, skilled workers at Level 4, highly skilled workers at Level 7, and officers at Level 10 of the basic pay scale.

18 June 2026 — Cabinet Approves Revised Cut-Off Date

The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved revising the eligibility cut-off date from 12 November 2018 to 15 October 2024, in accordance with directions issued by the Supreme Court. This significantly expanded the pool of eligible personnel.

⚠️ Important Clarification: Why 12 Years vs 10 Years?

• The 25 November 2025 announcement by the CM referenced a 12-year service threshold. This was the initial policy statement.
• The formal Government Order issued on 2–3 February 2026 reduced the threshold to 10 years of continuous service as on 25 November 2025, based on recommendations of the Ministerial Sub-Committee constituted after the Supreme Court judgment.
• The cut-off date for determining eligibility was initially fixed as 12 November 2018 (the date of the High Court order).
• In June 2026, the state Cabinet approved revising this cut-off date to 15 October 2024, expanding eligibility to a larger pool of personnel.

In summary: The operative eligibility criterion for Phase 1 is 10 years of continuous service as on 25 November 2025.

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UPNL Salary 2026: Level-Wise Pay Structure (Equal Pay)

Under the equal pay framework, eligible UPNL personnel are entitled to the minimum basic pay of the corresponding government pay level, plus applicable dearness allowance. The following table uses the minimum basic-pay figures for the corresponding Uttarakhand pay levels; the resulting gross figures are editorial calculations based on the stated DA rate.

Level	Category	Minimum Basic Pay (₹)	DA @ 60% (₹)	Estimated Gross Monthly (₹)
Level 10	Officer (अधिकारी)	56,100	33,660	89,760
Level 07	Highly Skilled (उच्च कुशल)	44,900	26,940	71,840
Level 04	Skilled (कुशल)	25,500	15,300	40,800
Level 02	Semi-Skilled (अर्द्धकुशल)	19,900	11,940	31,840

Sources for basic pay figures: Uttarakhand government 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. The Level 10 basic pay of ₹56,100 is confirmed by the UKMSSB Medical Officer salary structure under Pay Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission. The Amar Ujala report of 3 February 2026 references Level 10 officer basic pay at ₹56,000 with 58% DA, which is consistent with the minimum of the Level 10 pay scale.

DA rate clarification: The Government Order issued in February 2026 referenced DA at 58%, which was the prevailing rate at that time. The Uttarakhand government subsequently approved a DA hike from 58% to 60% effective 1 January 2026 for state government employees and pensioners. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved the revision, and the Finance Department was directed to issue the formal order. The figures above use 60% to reflect the current applicable rate for employees.

Important: These figures represent gross monthly remuneration (Basic Pay + DA). They are not in-hand salary. EPF and ESI deductions will apply. See the illustrative in-hand salary calculation below.

Illustrative In-Hand Salary Calculation

The figures above show gross remuneration, not what actually reaches a bank account. The in-hand calculation depends on the EPF contribution basis applied by UPNL payroll, which has been affected by the September 2026 EPF wage ceiling revision.

Deductions Applicable

EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund):

• Employee contribution: 12% of applicable PF wages
• The statutory wage ceiling for mandatory EPF coverage was raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month with effect from 17 September 2026.
• For employees whose EPF contributions were previously restricted to the ₹15,000 ceiling, the wage ceiling for monthly contributions is now ₹25,000 per month or the actual salary/wages, whichever is lower, subject to the applicable statutory provisions and scheme rules.
• For employees whose EPF contributions are restricted to the statutory ceiling, the 12% employee contribution could increase from ₹1,800 to ₹3,000 per month, subject to the applicable EPF provisions and payroll treatment.
• For UPNL personnel, the Citizen Charter confirms that UPNL deposits both employee and employer shares of EPF in a timely manner.
• The illustrative calculations below assume a ₹1,800 monthly EPF deduction based on the pre-September 2026 ceiling. If UPNL payroll now applies the revised ₹25,000 ceiling, the in-hand salary would be lower by approximately ₹1,200 per month.

ESI (Employees’ State Insurance):

• Employee contribution: 0.75% of gross wages
• Employer contribution: 3.25% of gross wages
• ESI has been applicable to UPNL since 1 October 2011, wherever applicable.
• Coverage applies up to ₹21,000 per month gross wages. For personnel receiving gross remuneration above ₹21,000, ESI may not be applicable.

Professional Tax: Uttarakhand does not levy professional tax.

Illustrative Example: Level 4 (Skilled) — Estimated In-Hand

Component	Amount (₹)
Basic Pay	25,500
DA @ 60%	15,300
Gross Monthly	40,800
Less: Employee EPF (assuming ₹1,800 basis)	–1,800
Less: Employee ESI (0.75%) — not applicable if gross > ₹21,000	Nil
Illustrative In-Hand	~39,000

Illustrative Example: Level 2 (Semi-Skilled) — Estimated In-Hand

Component	Amount (₹)
Basic Pay	19,900
DA @ 60%	11,940
Gross Monthly	31,840
Less: Employee EPF (assuming ₹1,800 basis)	–1,800
Less: Employee ESI (0.75% of gross)	–239
Illustrative In-Hand	~29,801

Disclaimer: These in-hand calculations are illustrative estimates based on standard EPF and ESI rules as of October 2026. The actual EPF contribution basis applied by UPNL payroll may differ, particularly following the September 2026 wage ceiling revision. Actual deductions may also vary based on the specific department and individual employment terms. UPNL personnel should verify with their department or the UPNL head office.

UPNL Salary Slip: How to Access

UPNL does not currently have a centralized public portal for employees to download salary slips.

What to do:

1. Contact your UPNL department office: Salary slips are generally issued by the department where the UPNL personnel is deployed.
2. UPNL Head Office: For issues related to salary credits, PF, or ESI, contact the UPNL head office at Andaman Road, Garhi Cantt, Dehradun.
3. Bank Statement: According to UPNL’s official website, salaries are transferred directly to all personnel accounts through bank orders passed by the government. The bank statement serves as proof of salary credit.

There is no official “UPNL salary slip download” link on the UPNL website (upnl.co.in). Be cautious of third-party websites claiming to offer UPNL salary slip downloads — they may not be authentic.

Who is Eligible for Equal Pay?

Phase 1 — applicable from 1 March 2026, subject to implementation:

• UPNL personnel who completed 10 years of continuous service as on 25 November 2025
• Approximately 11,000+ personnel covered in this phase

Subsequent Phases:

• The Cabinet approved a phased implementation framework. Personnel who have not yet completed 10 years will be covered in subsequent phases.
• Personnel appointed between 13 November 2018 and 15 October 2024 and currently working will have the equal pay process initiated from 1 April 2027.

Cut-Off Date:

• The original cut-off for determining eligibility was 12 November 2018 (date of the High Court order).
• In June 2026, the Cabinet approved revising this to 15 October 2024, expanding eligibility to a larger pool of personnel.

UPNL Salary vs. Regular Government Salary

Aspect	Regular Government Employee	UPNL Personnel (Post-Equal Pay)
Pay Structure	Full pay matrix with annual increments	Minimum of the pay level only (no increments yet)
DA	Applicable	Applicable (60% effective Jan 2026)
HRA	Applicable based on city category	Not confirmed in current orders
PF/ESI	EPF and ESI contributions	EPF and ESI contributions (UPNL deposits both shares)
Job Security	Permanent	Contractual (being phased toward regularisation)
Promotion	Structured promotion channels	Limited; regularisation process ongoing
Gratuity	Applicable	As per contract terms

The equal pay order ensures UPNL personnel receive the minimum basic pay of the post, but does not yet grant them the full pay matrix with annual increments or all allowances that regular employees receive. Full parity with regular government employees remains a work in progress.

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UPNL Recruitment and Vacancies

UPNL does not conduct open recruitment drives like regular government exams. Enrollment is limited to ex-servicemen and their legal dependents.

Key points about UPNL enrollment:

• Enrollment in UPNL does not guarantee employment. UPNL acts as a sponsoring agency and deploys personnel based on department requirements.
• The Kumaon Division office was recently inaugurated in Haldwani.
• For current vacancies and enrollment updates, monitor the official UPNL website: upnl.co.in

UPNL Salary 2026: Key Takeaway

The UPNL salary story in 2026 is one of transition and expansion. After years of advocacy and multiple court orders, eligible UPNL personnel are covered by the equal-pay framework and are entitled to the minimum pay scale and DA of the posts they hold — a substantial improvement over the previous fixed honorarium structure. The eligibility threshold was expanded from 12 years to 10 years, and the cut-off date was revised from November 2018 to October 2024, bringing thousands more personnel into the fold. However, full parity with regular government employees (including increments, HRA, and promotion channels) remains a work in progress. The September 2026 EPF wage ceiling revision also introduces a new factor that may affect actual in-hand salary. For the most accurate and current information about your specific salary, always verify with your department or the UPNL head office.

Frequently Asked Questions

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