IAS Officer Average Salary

• Updated on  Jul 30, 2025, by Anusmita Bhatta

IAS full form is Indian Administrative Service (IAS), it is one of the three All-India services, with the other two being IPS and IFoS. The salary of an IAS after a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and clearing the UPSC exam begins with a basic salary of INR 56,100/ month based on the 7th Pay Commission structure.

 

The additional allowances in this entry-level salary are Dearness Allowance (D.A.), House Rent Allowance (H.R.A.), and Travel Allowance (T.A.). With these allowances, a total amount of INR 80,000 – 1,00,000/ month can be added to the in-hand salary. The remuneration of an IAS officer gradually increases with experience and promotions and can reach up to INR 67,700 – 1,30,000 at the Senior Scale and beyond with additional authority and responsibility.

 

IAS officers may receive the highest salary of INR 2,50,000 per month in the upper positions like the Cabinet Secretary after long service and professional progress. The remuneration structure is based on years of service, job grade, and postings, with seniors having better remuneration and benefits. Several other benefits, such as constant employment in the job, government housing, and official vehicles, are other gains of becoming an IAS officer. This is one of the reasons why the IAS is a very respected and well-paying profession for those BA students who receive admission into the civil services.

 

Table of Contents
  1. IAS Officer Salary after Experience
  2. IAS Officer Salary after different levels of study
  3. IAS Officer Salary as per Designation
  4. IAS Officer Salary in Some Top Cities
  5. IAS Officer Salary Abroad Countries
  6. Skills Acquired after BA
  7. FAQs

 

IAS Officer Salary after Experience

An IAS officer’s salary increases significantly with years of service, promotions, and seniority in administrative roles and their salary can range from INR 20 to 25 LPA.

Job Role

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

IAS Trainee (During Training)

0 years

INR 6.2 LPA (Approx. stipend)

Sub-Divisional Magistrate

1 - 4 years

INR 8 - 10 LPA

District Magistrate / Collector

5 - 9 years

INR 10 - 15 LPA

Divisional Commissioner

10 - 16 years

INR 15 - 20 LPA

Principal Secretary / Chief Secretary

20+ years

INR 20 - 25+ LPA

 

IAS Officer Salary after different levels of study

The minimum qualification for IAS Officers is a graduation degree (like a BA degree); having a higher degree not only changes pay scales but may offer a better position.

Education Qualification

Experience Required

Job Role

Average Salary (per annum)

BA (Any Stream)

0 - 3 years

IAS Officer

INR 8 - 10 LPA

BA + MA

3 - 6 years

IAS Officer (Mid Level)

INR 10 - 15 LPA

BA + MA + MPhil / PhD

6 - 12 years

Senior IAS Officer

INR 15 - 20 LPA

BA + MBA

8 - 15 years

Commissioner / Secretary

INR 18 - 24 LPA

BA + Foreign Degree

10+ years

IAS (Central Deputation)

INR 20 - 25+ LPA

Read more: BA Criminology and Police Administration

 

IAS Officer Salary as per Designation

The salary structure of an IAS Officer is aligned with official posts and corresponding Pay Matrix levels, as per the 7th Pay Commission.

Designation

Pay Level

Average Monthly Salary

Average Annual Salary

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)

Level 10

INR 67,700

INR 8.1 LPA

District Magistrate / Collector

Level 11/12

INR 78,800 - 1,18,500

INR 9.5 - 14.2 LPA

Divisional Commissioner

Level 13

INR 1,23,100

INR 14.7 LPA

Principal Secretary

Level 15

INR 1,82,200

INR 21.8 LPA

Chief Secretary of State

Level 17

INR 2,25,000

INR 27 LPA

Cabinet Secretary (India)

Apex Scale

INR 2,50,000

INR 30 LPA

 

IAS Officer Salary in Some Top Cities

Salaries of IAS Officers are uniform across cities such as Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, etc, but additional perks (like official housing, vehicles, staff) vary slightly by posting.

Designation

City

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

SDM

Kolkata

1 - 3 years

INR 8 - 10 LPA

District Collector

Delhi NCR

4 - 8 years

INR 10 - 14 LPA

Divisional Commissioner

Mumbai

8 - 15 years

INR 15 - 20 LPA

Chief Secretary

Bangalore

20+ years

INR 25 - 30 LPA

 

IAS Officer Salary Abroad Countries

While IAS officers don’t work abroad in traditional roles, they are posted in embassies or UN missions on central deputation.

Job Role

Country

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

First Secretary (Embassy Posting)

USA

8 - 12 years

USD 80,000 - 110,000

Economic Adviser (UN Mission)

Switzerland

10 - 15 years

CHF 1,00,000 - 1,30,000

Administrative Attaché

UK

5 - 10 years

GBP 60,000 - 85,000

IAS Officer (UNDP Deputation)

Global

10 - 20 years

USD 90,000 - 1,20,000

 

Skills Acquired after BA

During the completion of a Bachelor of Arts, students acquire some skills that can assist them in finding careers such as an IAS Officer. Some of those skills are discussed below:

  • Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills- BA degree holders are well equipped to think critically and analytically, which is important in decision-making in governance.
  • Developed Communication and Writing Skills- They are taught the art of expressing well and convincing, which is of utmost importance in drafting policies, writing reports and communicating to society.
  • Research and Data Interpretation- The Ability to carry out both qualitative and quantitative research assists in the development of policy and administrative analysis.
  • Knowledge of Society and Governance- It is commonly heard that most BA courses cover political science, public administration, history, and economics, which provide a sense of knowing about the systems of governance.
  • Interpersonal and Leadership Skills- BA students tend to work in groups and discuss various topics that enhance their team management and leadership skills which are relevant when performing administrative tasks.
  • Problem Solving and Adaptability- The graduates are taught to be flexible and creative in solving problems, and this is of the essence in the dynamic administration operational fields.

 

FAQs

How does an IAS officer's pay rise with time?

Promotions are also periodical after every few years and through levels of pay: Junior Scale to Apex Scale (Cabinet Secretary), as officers and directors of IAS become directors (IAS grade). The basic pay increases based on tenure to as high as INR 2,50,000 per month at the top level. Similarly, benefits and perks are also raised, which raises the overall compensation.

How much is the in-hand salary of an IAS officer during probation?

The in-hand salary during probation will be around INR 75,000 to 85,000 per month, but including allowances. The basic in hand salary also depends on the city or the state of posting.

What is the difference between IAS officers salaries in metropolitan and non-metro postings?

HRA is one of the allowances that are very high in ranges depending on the classification of cities; higher classification of cities means higher rates of HRA and in-hand pay is higher compared to smaller cities or rural places.

Do IAS officers get annual increments?

Yes, once the IAS officer joins, the salary increases every year according to the rules of 7 th Pay Commission thus ensuring that their salary increases gradually over a period of time.

Do the IAS officers have any other benefits and perks other than pay?

Officers have many perks such as official residence of the government, government car with driver, medical facilities, pension, gratuity, leave travelling allowances, subsidized loans.

How does the salary of IAS officers compare with the other All India Services?

Pay scale structure of IAS, IPS (Indian Police Service) or IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officers is almost the same, though may slightly vary in allowances according to postings.

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