Salary of an IAS Officer

The article below contains details about the salary of an IAS officer, the perks of being an IAS officer, and the other facilities provided.

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the most prestigious professions in India.  Along with the pride, respect, and responsibilities what attracts people towards this profession is the salary and additional facilities given to an IAS officer. Only a few UPSC aspirants are able to become an IAS officer every year.

UPSC Posts List

Union Public Service Commission offers 24 different Civil Services posts including IAS, IPS, and IRS.

UPSC Posts under All Indian Services

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

• Indian Police Service (IPS)

• Indian Forest Service (IFS)

Group “A” UPSC Posts

• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

• Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)

• Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)

• Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)

• Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)

• Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)

• Indian Information Service (IIS)

• Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)

• Indian Communication Finance Services (ICFS)

• Indian Postal Service (IPS)

• Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)

• Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)

• Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)

• Indian Revenue Service (IRS)

• Indian Trade Service (ITS)

• Railway Protection Force (RPF)

Group A UPSC Posts

• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service

• DANICS

• Pondicherry Civil Service

• Pondicherry Police Service

• DANIPS

Warren Hastings is laid the foundation of the Civil Services in India. Charles Cornwallis reformed the workings of the Civil Services. Charles Cornwallis is known as the ‘Father of Civil Service in India’. Satyendranath Tagore was the First IAS Officer of India.

IAS Officer- Salary Structure

The salary of an IAS officer varies on the basis of designation and seniority, the salary is determined by 7^th Pay Commission. The basic pay starts from INR 56,100 per month without adding the additional allowances. However, with various allowances and perks, the gross monthly salary of an IAS officer can range from Rs. 56,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 (approx.).Based on the rank and experience an increment in the salary is expected. The highest-earning IAS officer, the Cabinet Secretary, can receive a monthly income of up to INR 2, 50, 000. The position of Cabinet Secretary of India is attainable after more than 37 years of dedicated service in the civil services. During the training session, the salary of an IAS officer is approximately INR 33,000- 35,000 (subject to variation).

Perks and other benefits:

The final pay consists of the base salary as well as additional allowances like DA, HRA, and TA.

➢ Dearness Allowance (DA) – It is increased by the Government at regular intervals. It has even increased up to 103% of the basic pay. Thus, DA gives a good increment in the IAS Salary.

➢ House Rent Allowance (HRA) – It varies from city to city. HRA is given based on the city where the IAS Officer is posted. In big cities it can be as much as 24% of their basic pay. In smaller cities, officers can get up to 16% of their basic pay as HRA.

➢ Travel Allowance (TA) – IAS Officers are given TA for official tours and deputations. 

Apart from these allowances, there are some additional perks provided to IAS officers. Some of the common perks are-

• Residence- An official accommodation or HRA is provided if residence is not available to the IAS officers.

• House Help- A cook, a gardener and a helper is provided to an IAS officer.

• Security- IAS officer is provided with security guards.

• Medical Facilities- At government hospitals IAS officer and their dependants are provided medical facilities.

• Retirement benefits- IAS officer is entitled with pension and other retirement benefits.

• Study leave- In case an IAS officer wants to pursue any other higher education or training programs they are given leave.

Rank Wise Salary-

The salary of IAS officers depends on their rank of seniority.According to the 7th Pay Commission, in the beginning an IAS officer is designated at the Junior Scale Level (Pay Level 10) with an initial pay of Rs. 56,100. As the working years and experience increases they get promoted to higher ranks with an increased salary.

IAS OFFICER PROMOTIONS-

The promotions are based on the year of experience and performance.

It should be noted that these salaries are subject to change.

Main Duties of an IAS officer

They include:

• Handling government affairs which also include policy framing and its successful implementation.

• Managing public funds for various schemes.

• Coordinating relief operations in response to emergencies such as natural disasters and riots

The functional roles of IAS officers depend on the type of assignments and postings-

1. Field assignments: After training an IAS officer’s first job is usually a field work. 

➢ Functions at the Subdivision level: As a sub divisional officer, law and order maintenance, development and administrative management in the sub-division are supervised.

➢ Functions at a District level: As a district officer, collector or deputy commissioner, an IAS performs the same functions as an SDM.

For most IAS officers, fieldwork normally ends at the district level. Many of them work in the State Secretariat and take positions in the State Government.

2. State Secretariat: Postings from the State Secretariat involves advising elected representatives to formulate policies and make decisions on government processes.

3. Central Secretariat : Secretarial level posts for different ministries at the central government level deal with policy formulation, and implementation.

This prestigious job brings a lot of responsibilities along with the pride. An aspirant should not only focus on the perks but also should have a strong zeal to serve the nation. 

What are the different ranks in the IAS? 

The IAS rank hierarchy decides the position, salary and responsibilities of the officers.

o Junior Scale (Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Assistant Collector)

o Selection Grade (Deputy Collector/Deputy Secretary)

o Super Time Scale (Joint Secretary)

o Higher Administrative Grade (Special Secretary)

o Higher Administrative Grade+ (Additional Secretary)

o Secretary

o Special Secretary to the Government of India

o Chief Secretary

o Cabinet Secretary

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