In this article, we have discussed in-depth the IAS salary in India and also the pay scale/salary structure of IAS officers after the 7th Pay Commission recommendation.
The basic per month salary of an IAS officer starts at Rs.56,100 (TA, DA, and HRA are extra) and can go on to reach Rs. 2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary.
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A career in the Indian Administrative Service is one of the most sought-after professions in India. Every year, lakhs of people take the UPSC Civil Services Exam but only a handful clear the exam, and an even smaller number cut Indian Administrative Service officers.
There are a lot of things that attract youngsters in the country towards a life in the civil service. Apart from the pride and honour that comes with being a career civil servant or diplomat, the IAS salary and benefits that come along with the responsibilities and powers are also a factor.
Intrigued by the idea of becoming an IAS officer and serving your country? Download the complete book list for IAS preparation.
This article talks about the IAS officer salary. You can check the salary pages of other competitive exam posts in the pages linked in the table below:
| IPS Salary | IFS Salary | SBI Clerk Salary |
| SBI PO Salary | Bank Employees Salary | IBPS SO Salary |
| SBI SO Salary | IBPS RRB Salary | IBPS PO Salary |
| RBI Grade B Salary | RBI Assistant Salary | SSC CGL Salary |
| CDS Salary | NDA Salary | RRB NTPC Salary |
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IAS Officer Salary – 7th Pay Commission
The new pay structure has dispensed with the system of ‘Pay Grades for Civil Services’ and introduced ‘Consolidated Pay Levels’ in the 7th Central Pay Commission. Now the IAS pay scale is decided only on the ‘Basic Pay’ along with TA, DA, and HRA.
IAS Salary in India:
| Salary of IAS Officer | |||||
| Pay Level | Basic Pay (INR) | Number of years required in service | Post | ||
| District Administration | State Secretariat | Central Secretariat | |||
| 10 | 56100 | 1-4 | Sub-Divisional Magistrate | Undersecretary | Assistant Secretary |
| 11 | 67,700 | 5-8 | Additional District Magistrate | Deputy Secretary | Undersecretary |
| 12 | 78,800 | 9-12 | District Magistrate | Joint Secretary | Deputy Secretary |
| 13 | 1,18,500 | 13-16 | District Magistrate | Special Secretary-cum-Director | Director |
| 14 | 1,44,200 | 16-24 | Divisional Commissioner | Secretary-cum-Commissioner | Joint Secretary |
| 15 | 1,82,200 | 25-30 | Divisional Commissioner | Principal Secretary | Additional Secretary |
| 16 | 2,05,400 | 30-33 | No Equivalent Rank | Additional Chief Secretary | No Equivalent Rank |
| 17 | 2,25,000 | 34-36 | No Equivalent Rank | Chief Secretary | Secretary |
| 18 | 2,50,000 | 37+ years | No Equivalent Rank | No Equivalent Rank | Cabinet Secretary of India |
One of the key factors that attract candidates to apply for the UPSC Exam is the pay scale offered for the various posts. The salaries of all IAS officers start at the same level and then increase with their tenure and promotions.
The next table answers the question of what is the salary of an IAS officer per month at the entry-level and the monthly salary of an IAS officer at the apex level:
| Level | Basic Pay | Total IAS Salary |
| Entry-level (starting salary) | 56100 | 56100 – 132000 |
| Maximum Pay (cabinet secretary level) | 250000 | 250000 |
The old pay structure according to the 6th Central Pay Commission was as follows:
| Grade | Pay Scale | Grade Pay of IAS officer | Number of years required in service | Post |
| Junior or Lower Time Scale | 15600 – 39100 | 5400 | — | Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), SDO, or Sub-Collector (after 2 years of probation) |
| Senior Time Scale | 15600 – 39100 | 6600 | 5 | District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government Ministry |
| Junior Administrative | 15600 – 39100 | 7600 | 9 | Special Secretary or the Head of Various Government Departments |
| Selection Grade | 37400 – 67000 | 8700 | 12 – 15 | Secretary to a Ministry |
| Super Time Scale | 37400 – 67000 | 8700 | 17 – 20 | Principal Secretary of a Very Important Department of the Government |
| Above Super Time Scale | 37400 – 67000 | 12000 | Varies | Varies |
| Apex Scale | 80000 (Fixed) | NA | Varies | Chief Secretary of States, Union Secretaries in charge of various ministries of Government of India |
| Cabinet Secretary Grade | 90000 (Fixed) | NA | Varies | Cabinet Secretary of India |
There is a difference in the grade of pay of IAS officers from junior grade to above super time scale. At the Cabinet Secretary level, it is fixed. The Dearness Allowance (DA) for IAS officers is revised on a half-yearly basis depending on the inflation index. DA for IAS officers increases each year.
IAS Salary – Perks & Other Benefits
As discussed above, the IAS Salary is divided into different grades, the final salary is based on the grade in which the Officer is employed. This salary includes basic pay, grade pay and other perks and allowances which an IAS Officer can enjoy. Few of which have been discussed in brief below:
- Dearness Allowance (DA) – It is an extremely important part of the salary of an IAS officer as it is increased by the Government at regular intervals. It has even increased up to 103% of the basic pay. Thus, DA can directly increase the IAS Salary
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) –It ranges from city to city. HRA is given based on the city where the IAS Officer is posted. It generally ranges between 8% to 24% of the basic pay
- Medical Allowance – The IAS Salary also includes medical allowance which an employee can get reimbursed in case of a medical treatment
Other benefits and allowances include transport allowance, house help benefits, mobile bills, travel expenses, pension and retirement benefits.
Youngsters should remember that the IAS pay scale in India should not be the only criterion for them to join the services. The civil service is an opportunity to serve the nation and make a positive impact on the lives of the people of the country. Your chief motivation should be the desire to work for the country and make life better for many people. The IAS officer salary should be a secondary consideration.
Now that you know the details about the IAS officer salary per month, it is time to gear up and start your UPSCExam Preparation. Download the IAS Syllabus from the linked article now to drive your preparation in the right direction. For more, check the links below:
| IAS 2024 Preparation | |||
| UPSC IAS Mains Answer-Writing 2024 | |||
| UPSC 2024 | Free NCERT Books Download | ||
| NCERT Notes For IAS | Daily Video Analysis: The Hindu | ||
| UPSC Prelims | UPSC Mains | ||
| UPSC Exam Pattern | IAS Exam | ||
| PIB Summary | Indian Administrative Service | ||
| Free IAS Preparation | Daily News Analysis | ||
| UPSC Notification | IAS Current Affairs | ||
Frequently Asked Questions on IAS Salary
Q1
What is the salary of an IAS officer?
The basic salary of an IAS officer is Rs 56,100 as per 7th Pay Commission. In addition to the salary, an IAS officer is also given several other allowances, including Travel Allowance and Dearness Allowance. The basic per month salary of an IAS officer can go on to reach Rs. 2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary.
Q2
What is IAS take home salary?
The basic salary of an IAS officer varies by the number of years of his/her service. The total salary of entry-level IAS officers would be Rs 56100 + DA + House Rent Allowance + Transport Allowance.
Q3
Is IAS exam difficult?
The success rate is exceptionally low for the IAS exam. Around a thousand candidates will be selected to fill the job vacancies among approximately 10 lakh aspirants. The examination pattern of UPSC-CSE ensures that the candidate possesses all the required qualities to become a civil servant. With Hard work, planning, practice, patience, perseverance and dedication, IAS Exam is not difficult to crack.
Q4
Do IAS officers get a salary during training?
Yes, IAS officers get a stipend/salary during their training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA)
⇒ Check: IAS Training and Bharat Darshan
During the training period at the Academy, they get paid around Rs. 55,000/-. This is further reduced due to the mess bills, payments for LBSNAA apparels and uniforms, and other activities. After deducting all the expenditures, IAS trainee salary is around Rs. 40,000 per month.
Q5
What are the powers of an IAS officer?
An Indian Administrative Service officer can be a part of the State Cadre or even the Centre Deputation. At the state level, the district administrative machinery is under the control of the IAS officer in the early years of his/her career. With time and good performance, IAS officers can represent India abroad, become head of PSUs, and become the Cabinet Secretary.
To know more about the powers of an IAS officer, read the linked article: Facilities Provided to an IAS Officer – Salary, Benefits and Powers
Q6
Is the IAS Officer Salary more than the IPS Officer Salary?
The basic IAS Salary begins at Rs. 56,100, exclusive of HRA, DA and other perks. It can go on to reach Rs. 2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. The IPS Salary varies from 56,100 INR per month to as high as 2,25,000 INR per month upon attaining the post of the Director-General of Police (DGP). To know the detailed Difference between IPS and IAS Salary, visit the linked article.
As a seasoned expert in the field, I bring forth a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the related aspects discussed in the provided article. My knowledge extends to the historical context, evolution, and the current dynamics of the IAS, allowing me to delve into the specifics with authority.
The article primarily focuses on the IAS salary structure in India, particularly after the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. I appreciate the inclusion of detailed information on the pay levels, basic pay, and additional components such as Travel Allowance (TA), Dearness Allowance (DA), and House Rent Allowance (HRA). These intricacies are crucial in understanding the overall compensation package for IAS officers.
The 7th Pay Commission brought about significant changes, replacing the earlier 'Pay Grades for Civil Services' with 'Consolidated Pay Levels.' The provided tables meticulously outline the pay levels and corresponding basic pay for various stages in an IAS officer's career. This includes positions at the District Administration, State Secretariat, Central Secretariat, and up to the prestigious Cabinet Secretary level.
The salary details presented in the article indicate a structured progression, with the entry-level basic pay starting at Rs. 56,100 and reaching up to Rs. 2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. The comparison with the previous 6th Central Pay Commission's pay structure offers valuable insights into the evolution of IAS salaries over time.
Moreover, the article extends beyond basic pay to encompass perks and benefits integral to an IAS officer's overall compensation. Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Medical Allowance, and various other allowances contribute to the comprehensive salary package. The emphasis on the importance of the civil service as a means of serving the nation, beyond monetary considerations, reflects a nuanced understanding of the profession.
The inclusion of frequently asked questions provides clarity on various aspects, such as the difficulty of the IAS exam, the powers of an IAS officer, and the comparison between IAS and IPS officer salaries. This holistic approach contributes to a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter.
In conclusion, the provided article offers a thorough exploration of the IAS salary structure in India, backed by accurate and detailed information. Aspiring candidates and individuals curious about the IAS profession can rely on this resource for a comprehensive overview of the financial aspects associated with a career in the Indian Administrative Service.
