A career in the Indian Administrative Services is a dream for many who are looking to serve nation. However, as it is also a full-time occupation and like every other job, UPSC aspirants also wonder what is the salary of an IAS Officer that they are going to get. Every year lakhs of students give this exam but only few of them clear this exam and only fraction of them get Indian Administrative Service.
The career of an IAS officer attracts many youths due to pride attached to it and moto of serving the nation. An IAS officer work for the public and leaves a shadow in society by doing the great work. Apart from this, the salary structure, perks and benefits provided in the service are also very attractive which make the students to join the service.
In this article we will discuss about the salary of an IAS Officer and also the other benefits and allowance given to him/her.
- Salary of an IAS Officer: Basic Pay
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.2,500,00 for a Cabinet Secretary after the 7th Pay Commission recommendation. After this Commission, the IAS pay scale is decided only on the ‘Basic Pay’ along with TA, DA, and HRA.
Following is the salary structure of IAS and career growth:
| Grade | Post | Number of Years Required in service | Old Version
| New Version
| ||
| Grade Pay | Pay Scale | Pay Level | Basic Pay | |||
| Junior or Lower Time Scale | ADM/SDM/Asst.Commissioner | 1-4 | 5400 | 15600-39100 | 10 | 56100 |
| Senior Time Scale | ADM/Deputy Secretary/Undersecretary | 5-8 | 6600 | 15600-39100 | 11 | 67700 |
| Junior Administrative | DM/Joint Secretary/Deputy Secretary | 9-12 | 7600 | 15600-39100 | 12 | 78,800 |
| Selection Grade | DM/Special Secretary cum director/Director | 13-16 | 8700 | 37400-67000 | 13 | 1,18,500 |
| Selection Grade | Divisional Commissioner/ Secretary Cum Commissioner/ Joint Secretary | 16-24 | 8700 | 37400-67000 | 14 | 1,44,200 |
| Super Time Scale | Divisional Commissioner/ Principal Secretary/ Additional Secretary | 25-30 | 12000 | 37400-67000 | 15 | 1,82,200 |
| Above Super Time Scale | Additional Chief Secretary | 30-33 | NA | 80000 | 16 | 2.05,400 |
| Apex Scale | Chief Secretary | 34-36 | NA | 90000 | 17 | 2.25.000 |
| Cabinet Secretary Grade | Cabinet Secretary of India | 37+ years | NA | 90000 | 18 | 2,50,000 |
Salary of an IAS Officer: Allowances
- As per 7th Pay Commission, the HRA allowance of the IAS Officer is 24 percent, 16 percent and 8 percent. It depends on the city in which you are posted. There is increase of HRA allowance.
- As per 7th Pay Commission recommendation, DA crossed 50% and 100%.
- There is no increase in Transport Allowance.
- DA which is 125% has been merged with existing Transport Allowance.
- 7th Pay Commission has discontinued the Pay Band – Grade Pay System which existed before.
In the following table we have mentioned the different allowances:
| HRA Distribution | |
| Class X | 8 Cities only- 24% HRA (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune) |
| Class Y | Around 100 Towns (With a Population above 5 Lakhs) – 16% HRA |
| Class Z | Rural Areas – 8% HRA |
| Dearness Allowance | |
| DA | DA now crosses 50 to 100 % |
| Transport Allowance | |
| The Transport allowance is not included in the DA which can reach upto 125% now | |
It is very important that, candidates who are planning to prepare for UPSC IAS exam and want to become an IAS, should not join this service on the basis of these high salary structure, perks and benefits. Rather their ultimate aim behind joining this service should be to serve the nation and serve the public and fulfill the demand of the post.
