This article talks about how much money Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers make in India. The basic monthly salary for an IAS officer starts at Rs.56,100, and it can go up to Rs.2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. Many people want to become IAS officers because it’s a respected job in India. The salary and other benefits are attractive, and it’s a tough exam to pass. If you’re interested in becoming an IAS officer, you can download a book list for IAS preparation.
IAS Officer Income – 7th Pay Commission
IAS Income Structure Comparison
New IAS Income Structure (7th Central Pay Commission):
The pay structure has shifted from ‘Pay Grades for Civil Services’ to ‘Consolidated Pay Levels.’
| Pay Level | Basic Pay (INR) | Years in Service | Post |
| 10 | 56,100 | 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 |
All IAS officers start at the same level and progress with tenure and promotions.
Comparison with Old IAS Income Structure (6th Central Pay Commission):
| Grade | Pay Scale | Grade Pay of IAS officer | Years in Service | Post |
| Junior or Lower Time Scale | 15,600 – 39,100 | 5,400 | — | Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), SDO, or Sub-Collector (after 2 years of probation) |
| Senior Time Scale | 15,600 – 39,100 | 6,600 | 5 | District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government Ministry |
| Junior Administrative | 15,600 – 39,100 | 7,600 | 9 | Special Secretary or the Head of Various Government Departments |
| Selection Grade | 37,400 – 67,000 | 8,700 | 12 – 15 | Secretary to a Ministry |
| Super Time Scale | 37,400 – 67,000 | 8,700 | 17 – 20 | Principal Secretary of a Very Important Department of the Government |
| Above Super Time Scale | 37,400 – 67,000 | 12,000 | Varies | Varies |
| Apex Scale | 80,000 (Fixed) | NA | Varies | Chief Secretary of States, Union Secretaries in charge of various ministries of Government of India |
| Cabinet Secretary Grade | 90,000 (Fixed) | NA | Varies | Cabinet Secretary of India |
- Grade of pay for IAS officers varies from junior grade to above super time scale, and it is fixed at the Cabinet Secretary level.
- Dearness Allowance (DA) is revised half-yearly based on the inflation index, increasing each year.
IAS Income – Perks & Other Benefits
As we talked about earlier, the salary of an IAS officer is categorized into different levels, and the final salary depends on the officer’s grade. This overall salary includes basic pay, grade pay, and additional perks and allowances that an IAS officer can enjoy. Let’s briefly discuss some of these:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): This is a crucial part of an IAS officer’s salary, regularly increased by the Government. It can go up to 103% of the basic pay, directly boosting the IAS Salary.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): The amount varies from city to city and is based on the officer’s posting location. Typically, it ranges from 8% to 24% of the basic pay.
- Medical Allowance: IAS Salary also covers medical expenses, allowing reimbursement for medical treatments.
- Other Benefits: Various additional benefits and allowances include transport allowance, house help benefits, coverage for mobile bills, travel expenses, and pension and retirement benefits.
It’s important for young aspirants to note that the IAS pay scale should not be the sole reason to join the services. The civil service provides an opportunity to serve the nation and positively impact people’s lives. Your primary motivation should be the desire to contribute to the country and improve the lives of its citizens.
Now that you have the details about the monthly salary of an IAS officer, it’s time to gear up and start preparing for the UPSC Exam.
What is the IAS income?
| IAS Income Details | Amount |
| IAS Starting Income | ₹56,100 |
| IAS Income During Training | Approx. ₹33,000–35,000 (varies with deductions) |
| IAS Income after 8 Years of Service | ₹1,31,249 per month or ₹15.75 lakh per year |
| Maximum IAS Income | ₹2,50,000 |
| IAS Income Pay Commission | 7th Pay Commission |
| IAS Income & Allowances | DA, HRA, TA (Travel Allowances) |
In addition to the competitive IAS income , the allure of pride, honor, and the opportunity to serve the country makes the civil service an attractive career for young individuals in India. The IAS position comes with significant power, responsibilities, and opportunities to contribute to the nation.
IAS income per Month
As per the latest 7th Pay Commission, the starting monthly Income for an IAS Officer is ₹56,100. IAS Income can increase over the years with promotions and experience, reaching up to ₹1,32,000 per month. The highest position, that of the Cabinet Secretary of India, has a monthly Income of approximately ₹2,50,000 after 37+ years of service. The monthly IAS Income also includes Dearness Allowance (DA), which is 9%, making it around Rs 2.5 lakh + 9% per month or approximately Rs 32.7 lakh per year.
IAS Post List with income
| IAS Rank Wise Post | IAS Basic Pay | IAS Pay Level | Total Years of Service |
| SDM, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary | ₹56,100 | 10 | 1-4 years |
| ADM, Deputy Secretary, Undersecretary | ₹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 |
- The entry-level IAS officer’s Income is ₹56,100 without allowances like HRA, DA, and TA.
- The maximum IAS Income per month is ₹2,50,000 for the Cabinet Secretary.
- Salaries increase with years of service and promotions.
- The Cabinet Secretary Salary is the highest at ₹2,50,000.
- Chief Secretary Salary is at level 17, approximately ₹2,25,000.
- District Magistrate Salary, a commonly known post, starts at ₹1,18,500 in level pay 13.
IAS Income and Facilities
An IAS officer enjoys unique powers and perks that set the profession apart. In addition to the attractive IAS salary per month, here’s a list of the facilities an IAS officer gets:
- Security: Given the high-profile and sometimes risky nature of the job, officers are provided with a security guard for themselves and their families. In case of life threats, they may also have STF commandos.
- Residence: IAS officers are allocated residences at very low or no rent. They also benefit from services like cooks, maids, security guards, and gardeners.
- Transport: Officers are provided with vehicles and drivers for official purposes.
- Subsidized Bills: Officers generally enjoy highly subsidized rates for water, electricity, phone, and gas connections.
- Trips: When visiting Delhi, officers can stay at government guest houses at subsidized rates. Accommodation in state Bhavans is also available.
- Job Security: IAS officers have strong job security, and dismissing an officer is a complex process that requires extensive investigation and inquiry as per constitutional mandates.
- Study Leaves: IAS officers can take 2 to 4 years of official study leave. They can pursue courses at reputed foreign universities, and the government covers the costs. To be eligible, an officer must have completed a minimum of 7 years of service and sign a bond committing to a minimum service period upon return.
- Post-Retirement Benefits: After retirement, IAS officers can be appointed to commissions and tribunals. Private consulting companies also seek their expertise. Officers enjoy lifetime pensions and other retirement benefits.
While the power and facilities for an IAS officer are unmatched, they also bear immense responsibilities. They often oversee administration for an entire district, state, department, or ministry. The life of an IAS officer is dedicated to bringing positive changes and influencing policymaking on various social and economic issues. The combination of IAS salary, power, facilities, perks, and prestige makes it a worthwhile profession to strive for.
IAS vs IPS Income
The IAS and IPS Income are pretty much alike. Both IAS and IPS officers begin with an Income of INR 56,100, not including TA, DA, and HRA. The top monthly Income for an IAS officer can reach INR 2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. Likewise, the highest Income for an IPS officer can go up to INR 2,50,000 for a DGP. So, the Incomes are equal, but they vary based on experience and position.
IFS vs IAS Income
An IAS officer’s Income varies from 56,100 to 2,50,000 based on experience. On the other hand, an IFS officer’s pay starts at 15,600-39,100, with the highest Income reaching INR 90,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. It’s important to note that IFS officers’ salaries are influenced by the country of their posting. Those serving abroad receive a foreign allowance, significantly impacting their overall earnings. However, within India, the IAS Income is indeed higher than that of an IFS officer.
Changes in IAS Officer Income Structure
| Years in Service | Grade | Post | IAS Pay Scale |
| — | Junior or Lower Time Scale | Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), SDO, or Sub-Collector (after 2 years of probation) | 15600 – 39100 |
| 5 | Senior Time Scale | District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government Ministry | 15600 – 39100 |
| 9 | Junior Administrative | Special Secretary or the Head of Various Government Departments | 15600 – 39100 |
| 12 – 15 | Selection Grade | Secretary to a Ministry | 37400 – 67000 |
| 17 – 20 | Super Time Scale | Principal Secretary of a Very Important Department of the Government | 37400 – 67000 (Varies) |
| Varies | Above Super Time Scale | Varies | 37400 – 67000 (Varies) |
| Varies | Apex Scale | Chief Secretary of States, Union Secretaries in charge of various ministries of the Government of India | 80000 (Fixed) |
| Varies | Cabinet Secretary Grade | Cabinet Secretary of India | 90000 (Fixed) |
Note: This table reflects the old structure of IAS Income as per the 6th Pay Commission. The current structure is based on the 7th Pay Commission.
IAS Grade Pay
| Post | Grade Pay of IAS Officer |
| Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), SDO, or Sub-Collector (after 2 years of probation) | 5400 |
| District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government Ministry | 6600 |
| Special Secretary or the Head of Various Government Departments | 7600 |
| Secretary to a Ministry | 8700 |
| Principal Secretary of a Very Important Department of the Government | 8700 |
| Varies | 12000 |
| Chief Secretary of States, Union Secretaries in charge of various ministries of the Government of India | NA |
| Cabinet Secretary of India | NA |
Note: This grade pay structure is based on the old system and has been updated in accordance with the 7th Pay Commission IAS pay scale.
Frequently Asked Questions about IAS Income
Q1: What is the Income of an IAS officer?
A: The basic Income of an IAS is Rs 56,100, according to the 7th Pay Commission. In addition to the Income, IAS officers receive allowances like Travel Allowance and Dearness Allowance. A Cabinet Secretary can earn up to Rs. 2,50,000 per month.
Q2: What is the IAS take-home Income?
A: The take-home income of an IAS officer depends on their years of service. Entry-level IAS officers receive Rs 56,100 + DA + House Rent Allowance + Transport Allowance.
Q3: Is the IAS exam difficult?
A: Yes, the IAS exam has a low success rate. Only around a thousand candidates are selected out of approximately 10 lakh aspirants. However, with hard work, planning, practice, patience, perseverance, and dedication, the IAS exam can be cracked.
Q4: Do IAS officers get a Income during training?
A: Yes, IAS officers receive a stipend during training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. The monthly stipend is around Rs. 55,000, after deducting expenses for mess bills, apparels, and other activities.
Q5: What are the powers of an IAS officer?
A: IAS officers have the authority to control the district administrative machinery at the state level. With experience, they can represent India abroad, head PSUs, and become the Cabinet Secretary. For more details, check the article on Facilities Provided to an IAS Income, Benefits, and Powers.
Q6: Is the IAS Income more than the IPS Income?
A: The basic IASIncome starts at Rs. 56,100 and can reach Rs. 2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. The IPS Income varies from Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,25,000, depending on the rank. For a detailed comparison, visit the article on the Difference between IPS and IAS Income.
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