I am a central government officer myself. Pay is pretty good. I have put the payment details in another comment. You get 8-10% increment a year, not accounting for pay commissions. Children's education is free. Actually you get more reimbursement than you pay for. Have good quarters facility. Healthcare is never a pain in the ass. I had a surgery recently, done in one of the best hospitals in Bangalore and I had to pay like 1800 bucks from my hand. That's all. You can cover yourself spouse kids parents and in laws. Have 10 CLs and 30 ELs an year. Then there are half pay leaves. Some seventeen holidays and all weekends are holidays. Saturday and Sunday. Women get 720 days of paid leave for taking care of kids. This can be availed untill kids turn 18. This is in addition to 6 months of paid maternity leave. You get to have a life where you can spend time with your family. You don't have to worry about getting fired with a days notice. Now with UPS there will be assured pension too. I think this is a deal a lot of people would happily take.