The curiosity concerning the salary of an IAS officer is, of course, quite natural. It only indicates an IAS aspirant’s concern for everything that is practical concerning his career. The Indian Administrative Services provide various opportunities to serve the nation.
The IAS officers play a great role towards the alleviations of the problems being suffered by various sections of the society. Thus, an IAS officer gains a heart-felt satisfaction for having contributed towards the well-being of the society. Thus,, he serves the nation at large.
However, the point to be noted is that an IAS officer, like any other individual feels answerable towards the well-being of his near and dear ones. And that’s where the salary comes into the picture.
If you read carefully what follows, a great many of your queries concerning an IAS officer’s salary would be solved automatically. Apart from quoting the salaries as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, you would also get familiarized with the career path of an IAS officer.
An IAS officer begins with a basic monthly salary of Rs. 56,100. (It is worth noting that the salary figures that are quoted here do not include HRA, TA, and DA). However, as far as a Cabinet Secretary is concerned, the figure would reach up to Rs. 2,500,00.
And it should never be forgotten that IAS is the most coveted of all the services across India. Huge multitudes of the IAS aspirants, the number crossing many lakhs, apply for the Civil Services Exam every year. However, only a few are finally allowed by UPSC to join the Indian Administrative Services.
Yet IAS has a great aura that compels the educated youths of India to study hard, prepare well and compete in order to clear the CSE to join IAS. And the Indian Administrative Service does pay handsomely to the IAS officers when we talk of the salary, apart from the inter-related benefits.
An IAS officer’s salary as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission
It should be noted that the 7th Central Pay Commission has introduced the Consolidated Pay Levels rather than following the earlier system comprising the Pay Grades for the Civil Services. Consequently, the pay scale is based upon the basic pay and the HRA, DA and TA.
Salaries for the IAS Officers
| 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 |
The DA, Dearness Allowance starts at 0%. Its value gets increased only with the passage of time. Also, salaries for all of the IAS officers start at the same level. They are increased with the tenure, apart from the promotions.
The Table given below specifies the monthly salaries for the IAS officers at the entry levels reaching the apex.
| Level | Basic Pay | Total IAS Salary |
| Entry level (starting salary) | 56100 | 56100 – 132000 |
| Maximum Pay (cabinet secretary level) | 250000 | 250000 |
Besides, the Table that follows specifies the earlier pay structure as used by 6th Central Pay Commission.
| 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 |
The basic pay is increased 3% at the beginning level. The increase is annual. It is fixed at the Cabinet Secretary’s level. The Dearness Allowance is increased by 0-14% annually at the entry level. There may be an increase in the DA at the highest levels.
But, it is worth noting that salary should not be the only criterion for aiming at joining the Indian Administrative Services. Joining IAS is a great opportunity for the educated youth of India to serve the nation. It should always be kept in mind that there are many careers that might help you earn well, but joining the IAS provides you with a brilliant opportunity to serve the nation as well, and that is what that should count the most!
IAS Salary: Some of the Frequently Asked Questions
Do the IAS officers get a salary when they are on training?
Yes, they do. They are provided with a stipend/salary while they are on training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
What powers does an IAS officer enjoy?
It depends on if he has been working at the State Cadre/Centre Deputation. The administrative machinery at the district level falls under the control of the IAS officer at the time of the beginning of his career. Given an excellent record, they are provided with the opportunity to represent the nation at the International platform, function as the heads of the Public Sector Undertakings, and be Cabinet Secretary, etc.
What are the responsibilities of an IAS officer?
An IAS officer is responsible for:
- Collection of revenue and function as Courts in revenue matters,
- revenue administration and general administration in the area under him, and
- maintenance of law and order, etc.
What is the salary provided to an IAS officer after the recommendations made by the 7th Pay Commission?
It was on 29th June, 2016 that the Cabinet had approved of the recommendations made by the 7th Pay Commission. At the junior level, an IAS officer draws Rs. 56100. The salary increases as the time goes on. The Tables given below provide you with the details.
What is better – IAS or IPS?
UPSC allows only the highest of the rank holders to join the IAS. IPS is widely considered as the next best option. The salary that an IAS officer draws is higher than what is drawn by the IPS officers. Besides, you would find only one IAS officer at an area whereas the number of the IPS officers varies as per the requirement.
What is the qualification required for joining IAS?
The candidates are allowed to join IAS by UPSC after they clear the Civil Services Exam. However, it should be noted that you should be among the highest of the rank holders when CSE result is declared if you aim at being an IAS officer.
The eligibility criteria to apply for the Civil Services Exam require you to be a graduate from a Deemed University as per the University Grants Commission. Besides, you should be 21 or above.
Is being an IAS officer imply doing a stressful job?
Yes. There is a lot to be attended to including:
- Calls
- messages
- e-mails
- public grievances
- public meetings
- emergency situations
- meetings with the seniors and the juniors
- daily routine work, etc.
Are the IAS officers provided with any holidays?
Yes, they are. An IAS officer gets all the holidays that are declared by the Central and the State Governments under the Negotiable Instruments Act. And the IAS officers are provided with the holidays depending on whether they are appointed at the Central or the State Level. Quite a few holidays are common to both the levels.
Does an IAS officer hold a gun?
They are not the uniformed employees. Though an Executive Magistrate can exercise administrative control over police, they are not required to carry arms.
What about the daily routine life of an IAS officer?
It varies as the various stages do. At the District Level, an IAS officer can be seen working from 9 in the morning till the lights are on at 9 or 9:30 in the late evening hours! Besides, an IAS officer studies the reports in order to supervise numerous tasks. There is field work, inspections, meetings etc.
Can an IAS officer earn Rs.1000 Crores?
He of course draws a handsome salary, but it is not possible to earn Rs. 1000 Crores.
Can an IPS be suspended by an IAS?
It is only the officer in charge of Jurisdiction (an Inspector) and in charge of zone (Sub Inspector) that can be suspended by an IAS officer.
Who has the power to suspend an IAS officer?
An IAS/IPS can be suspended only by the President of India. The State Government, though is equipped with the power to suspend, is supposed to submit the letter within the 48 hours to the Central Government.
Is it possible for an IAS officer to become an IPS?
No. Both are different services.
Can I join IAS after 12th std.?
No, you should be a graduate and 21 at least.
Is Tattoo allowed in IAS?
Yes. But it is far from being appropriate.
Can an IAS marry a foreigner?
Yes. However, there are some rules to be followed in the case of an IFS.
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