India Income Tax | Exempt Income Reference

Section 10 Income Tax Exemptions in India: Complete Guide and List

Section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 identified categories of income that are excluded from total income, subject to the wording, limits and conditions of each clause. This guide explains the main exemptions and retains a comprehensive directory of individual Section 10 articles.

Law update for 2026: The Income-tax Act, 2025 took effect on 1 April 2026. Section numbers below refer to the Income-tax Act, 1961 and are useful for historical tax years and interpreting earlier records. For tax years governed by the 2025 Act, verify the corresponding provision, rules, rates and notifications in the current legislation. Some exemptions in the historical directory have been withdrawn or changed.

What is exempt income under income tax law?

Exempt income is income that a provision of law excludes from the computation of total taxable income. The exemption may apply to all qualifying receipts or only to a prescribed portion. An exemption is different from a deduction under Chapter VI-A, which generally reduces gross total income subject to eligibility rules.

Common exemptions and key conditions

Income category	Historical Section 10 reference and key limitation
Agricultural income	Section 10(1): qualifying agricultural income, subject to the statutory definition; may be considered for rate purposes in specified cases.
HUF receipts and firm profit share	Section 10(2) for qualifying HUF receipts; Section 10(2A) for a partner's share of profit from a separately assessed firm (not HUF profit).
Leave travel concession	Section 10(5): qualifying domestic travel fare under prescribed conditions, including tax-regime restrictions.
Gratuity and leave encashment	Section 10(10) and Section 10(10AA): eligibility and ceilings differ for government and non-government employees; prescribed non-government leave-encashment limit increased to Rs. 25 lakh from 1 April 2023.
Life insurance proceeds	Section 10(10D): exemption depends on policy date, premiums, policy category and exclusions, including rules for high-premium policies.
Provident funds	Section 10(11) and Section 10(12): conditions on fund type, service and interest attributable to high employee contributions may apply.
House rent allowance	Section 10(13A): computed under Rule 2A where eligible; generally unavailable under the new tax regime.
Special allowances	Section 10(14): only qualifying allowances and amounts within applicable rules.
Scholarships	Section 10(16): scholarships granted to meet the cost of education.
Specified charitable, educational and medical bodies	Section 10(23C): institution-specific conditions, approval, application of income and other compliance requirements; old thresholds must not be reused without verification.
Notified authorities and infrastructure funds	Section 10(46) and Section 10(47): government notification and prescribed eligibility requirements apply.

Important exclusions and changes to older exemptions

Dividends: the former general exemption for domestic-company dividends under Section 10(34) does not apply to ordinary dividends after the dividend distribution tax system was abolished from 1 April 2020.
Mutual fund distributions: historical Section 10(35) treatment must not be treated as a general current exemption.
Listed equity gains: the former Section 10(38) exemption has been replaced by capital gains taxation rules for relevant transfers; check the applicable period, holding period and rates.
Insurance, provident fund and retirement receipts: an apparent exemption may be restricted by contribution or premium limits, service conditions and notification requirements.
Institutional exemptions: qualifying bodies may need approval, registration, notifications, audit, income application and timely returns.

How to determine whether income is exempt

Identify the relevant tax year and the law governing it.
Classify the receipt and confirm the eligible assessee.
Read the precise statutory clause and definitions, rather than relying on a short exemption list.
Check monetary ceilings, tax-regime restrictions, government notifications and prescribed rules.
Retain proof such as employer certificates, fund statements, approvals, policy documents and notifications.
Report exempt income in the applicable return schedules where required.

Section 10 exemptions: complete article directory

The following links preserve the original website's detailed Section 10 references. Some entries describe historical provisions or exemptions available only for specified periods or persons; their presence here does not establish present-day eligibility.

Section 10(1) — Agricultural income. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(2) — Receipts by a member of a Hindu undivided family. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(2A) — Partner share of profit from a firm. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(4) — Certain non-resident interest and investment receipts. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(4) — Certain non-resident interest and investment receipts. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(4) — Certain non-resident interest and investment receipts. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(5) — Leave travel concession. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(6) — Specified remuneration and payments to non-residents. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(7) — Government allowances for Indian citizens serving abroad. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(8) — Specified foreign-aid and technical-assistance remuneration. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(8A) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(8B) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(9) — Certain foreign income of family members. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10) — Gratuity and specified retirement benefits. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10AA) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10B) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10BB) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10BC) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10C) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10CC) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(10D) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(11) — Specified provident fund payments. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(12) — Recognised provident fund accumulated balance. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(13) — Approved superannuation fund payments. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(13A) — House rent allowance. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(14) — Specified employee allowances. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15) — Interest on specified securities and bonds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15) — Interest on specified securities and bonds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15) — Interest on specified securities and bonds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15) — Interest on specified securities and bonds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15) — Interest on specified securities and bonds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15) — Interest on specified securities and bonds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15) — Interest on specified securities and bonds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(15A) — Certain aircraft leasing income under historical provisions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(16) — Scholarships for education. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(17) — Legislative allowances. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(17A) — Notified awards and rewards. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(18) — Specified gallantry-award pension. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(19) — Certain armed-forces family pensions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(19A) — Annual value of specified palaces. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(20) — Income of qualifying local authorities. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(21) — Approved research associations. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(22B) — Notified news agencies. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23A) — Specified professional associations. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23AA) — Regimental and non-public funds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23AAA) — Notified employee welfare funds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23AAB) — Approved pension funds of insurers. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23B) — Specified khadi and village industry institutions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23BB) — Khadi and village industry authorities. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23BBA) — Certain statutory bodies. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23BBB) — Specified international institutional income. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23BBC) — SAARC regional projects fund. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23BBE) — Insurance regulatory authority. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23BBG) — Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23C) — Specified funds, educational and medical institutions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23D) — Specified mutual funds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23EA) — Investor protection funds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23EC) — Commodity exchange investor protection funds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(23FB) — Eligible venture capital funds under applicable rules. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(24) — Certain registered trade unions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(25) — Specified provident fund and gratuity funds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(26) — Specified income of Scheduled Tribe members in designated areas. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(26A) — Specified income of Sikkimese individuals. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(26AAA) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(26AAB) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(26B) — Corporations promoting specified disadvantaged groups. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(26BB) — Minority community development corporations. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(26BBB) — Specific statutory exemption and conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(27) — Co-operative society income in specified cases. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(29A) — Registered political parties subject to conditions. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(30) — Specified subsidy income. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(31) — Specified plantation subsidies. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(32) — Minor child income up to statutory limit. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(33) — Specified unit scheme transfers. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(34) — Historical dividend exemption (generally no longer applicable to ordinary dividends). Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(35) — Historical mutual fund distribution exemption. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(36) — Specified old equity capital gains. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(37) — Capital gains on compulsory acquisition of agricultural land. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(38) — Historical listed equity capital gains exemption. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(39) — Specified sports awards and receipts. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(40) — Specified subsidiary and holding company income. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(42) — Specified international treaty bodies. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(43) — Reverse mortgage receipts. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(44) — Specified pension fund income. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(45) — UPSC chairperson and members: specified allowances. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(46) — Notified public-purpose authorities. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.
Section 10(47) — Notified infrastructure debt funds. Check the linked provision, qualifying assessee, income and conditions for the relevant period.

Official sources for current tax law

Frequently asked questions

Is every receipt listed in Section 10 fully exempt?

No. Some exemptions are limited by ceilings, specified conditions, dates, notifications, income type or tax regime.

Does house rent allowance remain exempt under the new tax regime?

The historical Section 10(13A) house rent allowance exemption is generally not available under the concessional new tax regime. Check the rules for the relevant year.

Are dividends and listed equity capital gains exempt?

Ordinary dividends are generally taxable in shareholders hands and most listed equity capital gains are governed by capital gains provisions. Historical exemptions must not be assumed to apply.

Are life insurance maturity proceeds always tax free?

No. Exemption is subject to policy type, issue date, premium limits, specified exclusions and other conditions.

What is the difference between an exemption and a deduction?

An exemption excludes qualifying income from the computation of taxable income; a deduction generally reduces income after it has been computed, subject to statutory limits.

Which income-tax law applies in 2026?

The Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from 1 April 2026. Historical Section 10 references concern the Income-tax Act, 1961; consult the corresponding provisions for the relevant tax year.

This is an educational overview. Exemption claims depend on the applicable law, the facts of each case and the relevant tax year.