What is Gross Salary?

Gross salary is your total salary before any deductions (tax, EPF, NPS, professional tax). It is usually the sum of basic, HRA, allowances, and other taxable pay. Net salary (in-hand) is what you get after deductions.

Gross vs net salary

Gross = before deductions. Net = after deductions (take-home). Net = Gross − Income tax − EPF − NPS − Professional tax − other deductions.

Gross salary vs CTC

CTC includes employer-side costs (employer EPF, gratuity, etc.). Gross salary is typically the employee’s taxable salary component (before your own deductions). So CTC ≥ Gross; your in-hand is derived from gross after deductions.

Why it matters

Loan eligibility, rent affordability, and financial planning use gross or net depending on the lender. Knowing both helps you plan. Use a salary calculator to see gross and net from your CTC.