An IAS officer, or Indian Administrative Services officer, holds one of the most prestigious and sought-after positions in India. This role serves as a gateway to the upper echelons of the country’s bureaucracy, offering a life filled with significant respect and authority. Naturally, many aspiring candidates are curious about the salary of an IAS officer. In this article, we will delve into the details of the IAS officer’s salary. Besides the salary, an IAS officer also receives various perks and allowances, enhancing their overall compensation. Let’s explore the financial benefits associated with this esteemed career.
How much is the salary of an IAS?
Below is an overview of the salary structure for IAS officers in India, along with additional pertinent details. Beyond the attractive salary, the role of an IAS officer is highly esteemed, offering pride, honor, and a significant opportunity to serve the nation. The power, responsibilities, and the ability to make impactful changes also contribute to its appeal.
| IAS Salary | Salary details of an IAS officer |
| IAS Starting Salary | ₹56100 |
| IAS Officer Salary During Training | Deduction varies around ₹33,000-35,000 |
| IAS Salary After Eight Years of Service | ₹1,31,249 per month or ₹15.75 lakh per year |
| Maximum Salary of IAS officer | ₹2,50,000 |
| IAS Pay Commission | 7th pay commission |
| IAS Salary and Allowances | DA, HRA, TA (Travelling Allowance) |
IAS officer salary after 7th pay commission
Previously, the compensation for IAS officers was determined by the “Pay Grades for Civil Services” system. However, with the introduction of the 7th Central Pay Commission, a new “Consolidated Pay Levels” system is now in place. Under this structure, the IAS salary and pay scale in India are based on the ‘Basic Pay’ combined with DA, TA, and HRA. Consequently, the salary of an IAS officer, even at the entry level, is now exceptionally attractive.
Also Read:-IPS Officer Salary Per Month 2024
IAS Grade Pay
The monthly salary for an IAS officer in India is structured into eight grades, each with its own pay scale and grade pay, which correspond to the years of service.
- Junior Scale: This entry-level grade has a pay scale of Rs 50,000 – 1,50,000 with a Grade Pay of Rs 16,500. No years of service are required.
- Senior Time Scale: With a pay scale of Rs 50,000 – 1,50,001 and a Grade Pay of Rs 20,000, this level requires 5 years of service.
- Junior Administrative Grade: The pay scale for this grade is Rs 50,000 – Rs 1,50,002, with a Grade Pay of Rs 23,000. It necessitates 9 years of service.
- Cabinet Secretary Grade: This is the highest level, with a fixed pay scale of Rs 2,50,000 and varying years of service requirements.
IAS Salary Per Month
According to the latest 7th Pay Commission, the initial salary for an entry-level IAS officer starts at ₹56,100 per month, ranging up to ₹1,32,000 monthly. With time and successive promotions, the IAS officer’s salary in India increases monthly. The apex position, Cabinet Secretary of India, receives about ₹2,50,000 per month after over 37 years of service. Additionally, the monthly IAS salary includes a 9% Dearness Allowance (DA), making the total approximately ₹2.5 lakh plus 9%, or around ₹32.7 lakh annually.
UPSC IAS salary and allowances
The IAS salary for 2023 includes several allowances and components in addition to the basic pay. Under the Seventh Pay Commission guidelines, the House Rent Allowance (HRA) is set at 24%, 16%, or 8%, depending on the city of posting. Additionally, per the 7th Pay Commission, the HRA will increase when the Dearness Allowance (DA) exceeds 50% and 100%. However, there has been no adjustment to the transport allowance for IAS officers in this pay structure. The DA, which stands at 125%, has been combined with the transport allowance.
IAS post list with salary
After the UPSC exam, an entry-level IAS officer earns a basic salary of Rs 56,100 per month, excluding allowances like HRA, DA, and TA. The highest monthly salary for an IAS officer is that of the Cabinet Secretary, which is ₹250,000 INR. All newly appointed IAS officers receive the same starting salary, which increases with experience and promotions. The table below outlines the IAS salary in India based on years of experience and grade pay. Upon completing the recruitment process, candidates receive salaries according to this structure.
| How much is the salary of IAS? | |||
| IAS rank wise posts | ias basic pay | IAS Pay Level | total years of service |
| SDM, Under Secretary, Assistant Secretary | ₹56100 | 10 | 1-4 years |
| ADM, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary | ₹67,700 | 11 | 5-8 years |
| District Magistrate, Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary | ₹78,800 | 12 | 9-12 years |
| District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary, Director | ₹1,18,500 | 13 | 13-16 years |
| Divisional Commissioner, Secretary-cum-Commissioner, Joint Secretary | ₹1,44,200 | 14 | 16-24 years |
| Divisional Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Additional Secretary | ₹1,82,200 | 15 | 25-30 years |
| Additional Chief Secretary | ₹2,05,400 | 16 | 30-33 years |
| Chief Secretary and Secretary | ₹2,25,000 | 17 | 34-36 years |
| Cabinet Secretary of India | ₹2,50,000 | 18 | 37+ years |
IAS salary and facilities
The privileges and amenities an IAS officer enjoys are unparalleled by any other career. In addition to a competitive monthly IAS salary, the following facilities are provided:
Security: Due to the prominent and occasionally perilous nature of their role, an officer receives a personal security guard for themselves and their family. If there are threats to their life, they may also be assigned STF commandos.
Housing: IAS officers are given accommodations at minimal or no cost. They also have access to the services of cooks, maids, butlers, security guards, and gardeners.
Transport: They are provided with official vehicles and drivers for their duties.
Subsidized Utilities: Officers typically receive significantly subsidized water, electricity, phone, and gas services.
Travel: Officers benefit from discounted stays in government guest houses when visiting Delhi. They can also use accommodations in their respective state buildings.
Job Security: IAS officers benefit from strong job security, as the dismissal process is stringent, requiring extensive investigation and questioning as per constitutional mandates.
Study Leave: Another notable advantage for IAS officers is the provision of study leave for 2 to 4 years. This allows them to pursue courses in prestigious foreign universities, with the government bearing the expenses. To qualify, an officer must have served for at least 7 years and must commit to serving the government for a minimum of 3 years upon return.
Post-Retirement Opportunities: IAS officers can be appointed to various commissions and tribunals. Their extensive administrative experience also makes them highly sought-after by private consulting firms. Additionally, they receive lifetime pensions and other retirement benefits.
IAS Promotion
Candidates who successfully complete all stages of the UPSC selection process become IAS officers. They receive promotions and serve throughout their careers, with each promotion leading to an increase in salary. After recruitment, IAS officers undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. Following training, they begin working as SDMs and interact with various government departments. With time and based on their skills, officers are promoted to higher positions.
| IAS Officer Posts | Years of Work |
| ASP/Assistant Commissioner/SDM | 1-4 |
| Deputy Secretary (State) / Under Secretary / ADM (Centre) | 5-8 |
| DM/Joint Secretary (State)/Deputy Secretary (Centre) | 9-12 |
| DM/Special Secretary cum Director (State)/Director (Centre) | 13-16 |
| Divisional Commissioner/Joint Secretary (Centre)/Secretary cum Commissioner (State) | 16-24 |
| Principal Secretary (State)/Additional Secretary/Divisional Commissioner (Centre) | 25-30 |
| Additional Chief Secretary | 30-33 |
| Chief Secretary | 34-36 |
| Cabinet Secretary of India | 37+ |
IAS salary during training period
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), which prepares them effectively for their future roles and responsibilities. This training period is crucial in an IAS officer’s career, and they receive stipends during this time. The starting salary is Rs 56,000, but after various deductions, it typically amounts to around Rs 33,000-35,000, as per the 7th Pay Commission guidelines. The attractive salary package is a major incentive for many aspiring individuals to pursue a career as an IAS officer.
This summarizes the salary, perks, and allowances that IAS officers receive throughout their careers.