India’s Top Constitutional Offices: Monthly Salaries and Allowances
If you are wondering what the salaries of India’s political leaders are, take a look at the remuneration and other benefits that they receive.
Indian President, Vice President, The Prime Minister of India and the Members of Parliament also called MPs receive a pay out that includes a Basic Salary, allowances, and other.
1. President of India
The President of India who is the head of the country receives Rs, 5 lakh per month. In addition to this, the President gets allowances like rent free house (Rastrapati Bhawan), house helps, medical facilities, free official vehicles and a special travel right. In 2018 amendment there was a major hike in services that were included in the offerings.
2. Vice President of India
The Vice President of India gets Rs 4 lakh per month, besides facilities like medical services, free official residence, security, travel privilege and house help. As the Vice President also chairs Rajya Sabha, the salary and other facilities are provided via Rajya Sabha Chairmanship and there is no provision of salary and facilities for the Vice President. When the Vice President retires, they get a pension equal to 50% of their basic pay. They also get official residence and secretarial support.
3. Prime Minister of India
The salary of the Prime Minister of India is Rs 1 lakh 66 thousand. There are a large number of other services that the Prime Minister is entitled to. For example, like the President and the Vice President, the Prime Minister is also provided official residence which is 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The Prime Minister of India is entitled to travel privileges, security services, medical services, daily allowances, parliamentary allowances and more.
4. Members of Parliament (MPs)
The Members of Parliament receive a salary of Rs 2 lakh 30 thousand per month. This includes a basic pay of Rs 1 lakh, office expense allowance, 60 thousand, and constituency allowance Rs 70 thousand. There are other fixed allowances as well that the MPs receive. In 2021 during the covid rise, the salary of the MPs were reduced for a year as a gesture of support to the country. They also receive official accommodation, security, travel advantage, pension and more.
Summary Table
| Position | Monthly Salary (Approx.) | Components & Perks |
| President | ₹500,000 | Allowances + Rx. Bhavan, staff, travel, security, medical |
| Vice President | ₹400,000 | Through Rajya Sabha Chairmanship, plus residence, travel, staff; 50% pension after office |
| Prime Minister | ₹166,000 | Basic pay + allowances; security, staff, residence, travel |
| Member of Parliament | ₹230,000 | Basic pay, constituency & office allowances; housing, travel, staff, pension |
Conclusion
There is often a debate on the salary of the Indian political leaders. Some believe it is unjustified in the country living under poverty, others believe India is a growing nation and this salary justifies their position. The salary and other remuneration that these leaders receive is a structure that promotes and attracts the younger generation to think of building a career in politics which is somehow not a choice among educated Indians. This mindset shift can result in better leaders, better decision makers and better problem solvers coming into politics which the nation needs desperately.
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