Metro cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai. All others are non-metro.
HRA Exemption for Hyderabad Employees
For HRA exemption, only four cities qualify as metro: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad — all major cities — are classified as non-metro, meaning the HRA exemption limit is 40% of basic salary instead of 50%.
This is particularly relevant for IT employees in Hyderabad's HITEC City, Gachibowli, and Financial District where rents are high but HRA exemption is capped at 40% of basic — unlike Delhi or Mumbai employees who get 50%.
Note: HRA exemption is only available under the old tax regime. Under the new regime, entire HRA is taxable.
HRA Exemption Formula for Hyderabad
1. Actual HRA received
2. Rent paid − 10% of Basic
3. 40% of Basic (Hyderabad — non-metro)
Example — Hyderabad IT employee
Basic: ₹40,000/month. HRA received: ₹16,000. Rent paid: ₹20,000.
1. HRA received: ₹16,000
2. Rent − 10% basic: ₹20,000 − ₹4,000 = ₹16,000
3. 40% of basic: ₹16,000
Exemption = Min(₹16,000, ₹16,000, ₹16,000) = ₹16,000/month
Example Calculation
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyderabad is non-metro for HRA exemption purposes. Only Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai are classified as metro. For Hyderabad employees, HRA exemption is limited to 40% of basic salary (vs 50% for metro employees).
HRA exemption in Hyderabad is the minimum of: actual HRA received, rent paid minus 10% of basic, and 40% of basic salary. For a ₹50,000 basic, maximum exemption is ₹20,000/month. Actual amount depends on your specific HRA and rent figures.
Under the new tax regime, HRA exemption is not available — all HRA received is taxable. Under the old regime, you can claim HRA exemption. For Hyderabad employees, compare your total old regime deductions (HRA + 80C + 80D) against the new regime flat benefit. If deductions exceed ~₹3.5L, old regime may save more tax.
Related Calculators
Disclaimer: Results are for informational and educational purposes only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax slabs, rates (EPF, PPF, home loan), and rules shown are based on data available in 2025 and may change. Always verify with a qualified professional or official government sources before making financial decisions.