Reverse CTC Calculator (Target → CTC)
Most calculators go from CTC → take-home. This one goes the other way: "I want ₹X in my bank every month — what CTC should I negotiate?" Useful for job offers and salary negotiations.
What I want
Solver converged in 17 iterations.
Use this number when negotiating. Round up by 5-10% for room to negotiate down. Variable pay (bonus, RSU) is NOT included — ask for a higher fixed if your offer has variable.
How it works
We use bisection search: try a CTC, compute take-home, adjust up or down, repeat ~20 times until the target take-home matches within ₹1. Same FY 2025-26 tax engine, PF rules, and statutory deductions as the take-home calculator — just inverted.
Use cases
- You need ₹1.5 L/month in hand — what CTC to ask for?
- Comparing two offers — both quote different CTCs but you want to know which gives more in hand
- Negotiating with HR — they ask "what's your expectation?"; you can answer in CTC terms backed by your real desired take-home
Frequently asked questions
Why is my required CTC so much higher than my target × 12?▾
Because CTC includes employer-side costs you never see — employer PF (12% of basic), gratuity provisioning (4.81% of basic), EDLI, admin charges. Plus your own PF (12%), professional tax, and income tax come out before take-home. Typical leakage: 20-35% of CTC.
Old vs new regime — does it change the answer?▾
Yes — old regime allows HRA, 80C (₹1.5L), 80D (₹25k) to reduce taxable income. If you have those investments, old regime needs less CTC for the same take-home. Try both regimes here.
Does this account for variable pay / bonus?▾
No — this assumes 100% fixed CTC. If your offer has 80% fixed + 20% variable, the variable part isn't guaranteed and isn't included in monthly take-home. Compute on fixed portion only for a conservative ask.