This guide explains what BPS grades mean in Pakistan, from BPS-1 to BPS-22, and how to read them in a government job advertisement. It is for job seekers who see “BPS-11” or “BPS-17” in an ad and want to know what kind of post it is before they apply.
What does BPS mean?
BPS stands for Basic Pay Scale. It is the federal government’s system of 22 numbered pay scales for civil employees. Each scale has a minimum pay, a yearly increment and a maximum. A higher number means a more senior scale. The current set, Basic Pay Scales 2026, was notified by the Ministry of Finance on 21 July 2026, took effect from 1 July 2026 and replaced the Basic Pay Scales 2022.
Scales belong to posts, not to people. A department sets the BPS for each post, and an employee is appointed or promoted to a post that carries that scale.
BPS grades in Pakistan: BPS-1 to BPS-22 in plain terms
The Finance Division’s own history of pay scales shows that the old national pay scales split staff into two groups, and the BPS system kept that structure.
- BPS-1 to BPS-15: non-gazetted staff. This range covers support and clerical posts such as drivers, dispatch riders and typists. Before 1972 these posts were grouped into Class IV (lowest scales) and Class III, but that class system was abolished.
- BPS-16 to BPS-22: gazetted officers. These are the officer-level posts, and the most senior scales carry a Senior Post Allowance.
Examples from recent notices on this site: the PMS Officer post advertised by KPPSC was BPS-17, the ASF Balochistan quota posts ran from BPS-01 to BPS-11, and the Pak Navy civilian apprentice seats were BPS-07.
How to read the BPS in a job advertisement
- Find the post and its BPS. Ads list the BPS next to the post name, for example “Assistant (BPS-16)”.
- Check the qualification for that exact post. The required degree, age limit and experience are set per post, not per scale. Read the ad, not a general list.
- Look at pay only in the official notification. Pay for each scale is published by the Finance Division. Ads often add allowances, so read what the ad says.
- Note the type of appointment. A regular post, a contract post and a project post can all carry a BPS, but the terms differ.
- Apply through the official portal. Our guides on FPSC, PPSC and KPPSC jobs show the steps.
Where to see the actual pay figures
Pay amounts change with each pay revision, so this guide does not list them. The 2026 notification gives the minimum, increment and maximum for every scale from BPS-1 to BPS-22, and you can read it on the Finance Division website linked below. Provincial governments issue their own notifications, so check the one that applies to your employer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating BPS as a qualification. A scale does not tell you the degree needed. Only the ad does.
- Using old pay charts. Charts from earlier years or from other websites can be out of date. Use the notification.
- Comparing posts by BPS alone. Two posts in the same scale can have different duties and allowances.
- Assuming a higher scale means an easier or harder test. The selection process is set by the hiring body for each post.
Current openings and related posts
- How to pay a government job application fee online (PSID)
- How to apply for the CSS exam
- KPPSC PMS written exam 2026 postponed
- More openings in our Jobs section
Frequently asked questions
How many BPS grades are there in Pakistan?
There are 22 scales, BPS-1 to BPS-22, in the Basic Pay Scales 2026 notified by the Ministry of Finance.
Which BPS grades are officer posts?
According to the Finance Division’s account of the pay scale schemes, gazetted officer posts start at scale 16, and scales 1 to 15 are non-gazetted staff. Always confirm the status of a specific post in its advertisement.
Is BPS the same as salary?
No. BPS is the scale. Pay is the amount drawn within that scale, plus any allowances. The official notification lists the scale’s minimum, increment and maximum.
Note: Always confirm details on the official website before you apply or pay any fee. Great Pak Times is not affiliated with any government body.
Source: Ministry of Finance, Revision of Basic Pay Scales 2026 and Various Schemes of Pay Scales. Checked 5 November 2026.