Wondering what the IAS Salary 2026 is? Well, you are not alone. It is one of the most common questions asked by UPSC aspirants.
The initial IAS salary is INR 56100 per month as per the 7th Pay Commission. It eventually increases over time with years of service, experience, and promotions.
The highest IAS officer salary is INR 250000 per month, which will be drawn by the Cabinet Secretary, the highest bureaucratic position. After the appointment, the IAS officers undergo district training with their home cadres and are then assigned their first posting.
Their initial role is as an assistant collector cum sub-divisional magistrate, where they are in charge of a district sub-division. Along with basic pay, IAS will also receive attractive allowances like DA, HRA, and TA, which differ based on the city of your posting.
In this article, we have compiled complete details of IAS salary per month, grade pay, benefits, job profile, and much more.
IAS Officer Salary 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most challenging examinations in the country.
It is conducted to recruit candidates for various posts, including IAS, IPS, IFS, and other reputed positions. It attracts a huge number of candidates every year due to lucrative pay, social recognition, and long-term benefits.
So, it’s natural to ask “What is the salary of IAS?” The starting basic pay of the IAS officer is INR 56100 with a grade pay of Rs 5400 under pay level 10.
They will also receive various benefits in their monthly IAS salary. As an assistant collector cum sub-divisional magistrate, they will be responsible for land revenue administration, handling law and order, general administration and development work of the sub-district.
Read on to learn more about the IAS officer salary and other relevant details.
IAS Officer Salary after 7th Pay Commission
The IAS Officer salary after 7th Pay Commission comprises Junior Scale, Senior Scale, Super Time Scale, and Above Super Time Scale.
Level 10 falls under Junior Scale, Level 11, 12 & 13 fall under Senior Scales, Level 14 falls under Super Time Scale, and Level 15, 17 & 18 fall under the above Super Time Scale. The IAS salary after the 7th Pay Commission comprises basic pay, pay band, grade pay, monthly pay, and other factors.
The pay scale for an IAS officer shall be INR 56100- INR 250000. Initially, the IAS officer will start with a basic pay of INR 56100, which can go up to a maximum of INR 250000 based on year of experience, seniority, and promotions.
Let’s discuss the detailed IAS Officer salary after the 7th pay commission, shared below for reference purposes:
Basic Pay (INR) | Years of Service | Field Posting | Position in State Governments | Position in the Government of India |
56,100 | 0-4 years | Assistant Collector cum Sub-Divisional Magistrate | Under Secretary | Assistant Secretary |
67,700 | 5-8 years | Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate | Deputy Secretary | Under Secretary |
78,800 | 9-12 years | Collector cum District magistrate | Joint Secretary | Deputy Secretary |
1,18,500 | 13-16 years | Collector cum District magistrate | Special Secretary/Director | Director |
1,44,200 | 16-24 years | Divisional Commissioner | Secretary/Commissioner | Joint Secretary |
1,82,200 | 25-30 years | Divisional Commissioner | Principal Secretary | Additional Secretary/Director General |
2,25,000 | 30+ years | – | Chief Secretary | Secretary |
2,50,000 | 37+ years | – | – | Cabinet Secretary of India |
IAS Salary Per Month 2026
The IAS salary per month is calculated after adding basic pay and allowances. It will then be deducted from applicable taxes, PF, and other crucial factors.
The starting IAS officer salary per month will be Rs 56100 under the pay band of INR 15600-39100 with a grade pay of Rs 5400.
The monthly salary for an IAS officer will also include allowances like DA, HRA, TA, and other perks.
Rank-Wise IAS Salary Structure 2026
An IAS officer will receive regular promotions based on the year of service, seniority, and work performance.
The IAS salary differs depending on the officer’s rank, pay level, and other factors. For example, the IAS Officer salary will be placed under pay level 10. The highest level of IAS service is Cabinet Secretary, which falls under pay level 18.
Check the rank-wise IAS salary structure 2026 shared below for reference purposes.
IAS Rank-Wise Post | Basic Pay (INR) | Pay Level | Year of Experience |
Assistant Collector cum Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Under Secretary, and Assistant Secretary | 56,100 | Level 10 | 0-4 years |
Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary | 67,700 | Level 11 | 5-8 years |
Collector cum District magistrate, Joint secretary, and Deputy secretary | 78,800 | Level 12 | 9-12 years |
Collector cum District magistrate, Special secretary/ Director, and Director | 1,18,500 | Level 13 | 13-16 years |
Divisional commissioner, Secretary/Commissioner, and Joint secretary | 1,44,200 | Level 14 | 16-24 years |
Divisional commissioner, Principal secretary, and Additional secretary/Director General | 1,82,200 | Level 15 | 25-30 years |
Chief secretary | 2,25,000 | Level 17 | 30+ years |
Cabinet Secretary | 2,50,000 | Level 18 | 37+ years |
IAS Officer Grade Pay
The starting grade pay for an IAS officer is INR 5400 under pay level 10 for Assistant Collector cum Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Under Secretary, or Assistant Secretary post.
The IAS Grade Pay eventually increases with the year of experience.
Check the detailed IAS Grade Pay for all posts in the table below:
Pay Band (INR) | Grade Pay (INR) | Level in Pay Matrix | Designations |
15600-39100 | 5,400 | Level 10 | Assistant Collector cum Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Under Secretary, and Assistant secretary |
15600-39100 | 6600 (STS) | Level 11 | Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate, Deputy secretary, and Under Secretary |
15600-39100 | 7600 (JAG) | Level 12 | Collector cum District magistrate, Joint secretary, and Deputy secretary |
37400- 67000 | 8700 (Selection Grade | Level 13 | Collector cum District magistrate, Special secretary/ Director, and Director |
37400- 67000 | 10,000 | Level 14 | Divisional commissioner, Secretary/Commissioner, and Joint secretary |
67000- 79000 | – | Level 15 | Divisional commissioner, Principal secretary, and Additional secretary/Director General |
80000 | – | Level 17 | Chief secretary |
90000 | – | Level 18 | Cabinet Secretary |
IAS Salary During Training Period
After the appointment, the IAS officers undergo district training with their home cadres and are then assigned their first posting.
The IAS salary during the training period will be INR 56100 per month, excluding all the admissible deductions. After subtracting accommodation and other charges, the trainees will receive remuneration between INR 35000 and INR 40,000 per month.
Upon successfully completing the training, the IAS officers will receive a salary according to their respective rank, pay level, and pay scale.
Highest IAS Officer Salary 2026
The highest IAS officer salary is INR 250000 per month. It falls under Pay Level 18 of the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix with a pay band of INR 90000.
This salary is drawn by the Cabinet Secretary of India, who holds the highest bureaucratic position. An IAS officer can reach this level after more than 37 years of service, based on promotions, experience, performance, and seniority.
IAS Salary Growth Over the Years (Approximate)
The IAS officer salary in India grew over the years according to the 7th Pay Commission guidelines. The salary figures will increase over time based on promotions and work experience.
Upon completing more than five years of service, an IAS officer moves to the Senior Time Scale and is promoted to key administrative roles such as Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary positions.
To help you understand the progression better, we have shared the expected IAS salary growth over the years for clarity.
IAS Salary Per Month At Start (0 Years Experience)
- Pay Level: 10
- Typical Basic Pay: INR 56,100 per month
- Gross Salary: INR 1,00,000+ with allowances
- IAS In-hand Salary: INR 70,000+ per month
- Note: This is the entry salary just after completing the training.
IAS Salary After 5 Years
- Typical Post: Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary
- Pay Level: 11
- Basic Pay Range: INR 67700
- Gross Salary: INR 1,19,000- INR 1,38,000+
- IAS In-hand salary: INR 1,00,00+ per month
- Note: Officers will move to higher posts and will be assigned higher responsibilities.
IAS Salary After 10 Years
- Typical Role: Collector cum District magistrate, Divisional commissioner, etc
- Pay Level: 12-14
- Basic Pay: INR 78,800- INR 1,44,200
- Gross Salary: INR 2,00,000+ per month
- IAS In-hand salary: INR 1,50,000+ per month
Note: IAS salary will receive a higher salary during promotions & periodic increments.
IAS Salary After 20 Years
- Typical Roles: Divisional Commissioner, Principal Secretary
- Pay Level: Level 14-15
- Basic Pay: INR 1,44,200-INR 1,82,200
- Gross Salary: INR 2,50,000+ per month
- IAS salary per month: INR 2,00,000+ per month
Note: Senior leadership positions with lucrative salaries and long-term benefits.
IAS Salary After 30 Years
- Typical Roles: Chief Secretary
- Pay Level: Level 17
- Basic Pay: INR 2,25,000
- Gross Salary: INR 3,00,000+ per month
- IAS In-hand salary: INR 2,50,000+ per month
IAS Salary After 50 Years
- Typical Top Role: Cabinet Secretary of India
- Pay Level: Level 18
- Basic Pay: iNR 2,50,000 (highest in IAS)
Note: The IAS salary figures shared above are approximate estimates. Its actual salary differs based on various factors such as the city of the posting, experience, and the IAS officer’s career growth over the years.
IAS Officer Job Profile
IAS Officers are entrusted with a wide range of roles and responsibilities. This involves land revenue collection, implementing government schemes, and policy formulation.
Check the duties and tasks involved in the IAS officer job profile:
Post Name | IAS Job Profile |
Sub-divisional magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, District Magistrate and Divisional Commissioner | Responsible for land revenue collections and acting as court officials in land revenue matters (for the revenue courts) To maintain law and order and implement union and state government policies at the grass-roots level. |
Director/Commissioner of a Directorate/Commissionerate/Department | Carry out government policies and execute official decisions. Look after the day-to-day administration of their department. Lead their department and ensure effective coordination with other departments and agencies. Represent their department in official matters. |
Principal Secretary/Additional Chief Secretary/Chief Secretary | Offers administrative assistance to state ministers. Ensure smooth coordination among various departments. Actively contribute to state policy-making. |
Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary/Secretary | Play a key role in formulating policies for the nation. Ensure proper implementation and management of central programs. |
Cabinet Secretary | Provide leadership to the country’s civil service and bureaucratic framework. Oversee the planning and implementation of key policies and reforms. |
IAS Officer Career Growth/Progression
After the appointment, the IAS officers undergo district training with their home cadres and are then assigned their first posting. An IAS officer with start with the role of assistant collector cum sub-divisional magistrate.
As assistant collector cum sub-divisional magistrate, they will be responsible for land revenue administration, managing law and order and development work of the sub-district. Upon completing probation, they will be assigned an executive role like the district collector cum district magistrate post.
After serving as a District Magistrate, District Collector, or Deputy Commissioner, IAS officers may be appointed to various positions within the state government.
These roles are secretary or principal secretary in various departments, director of a department, divisional commissioner, or chairman of a government corporation. The roles assigned to an officer vary according to their seniority, year of service and performance. The top-most roles for an IAS officer include serving as a state’s Chief Secretary or as India’s Cabinet Secretary.
IAS Perks & Allowances
Along with fixed pay, the IAS officer will also receive various perks and allowances in their monthly remuneration. It will increase their overall compensation package.
The perks and allowances involved in the IAS salary per month:
- Dearness Allowances
- House Rent Allowances
- Transport Allowances
- Medical Allowances
- Other Relevant Allowances
Who earns more, CA or IAS?
IAS salary is fixed and progressive as per the government pay scale and other guidelines. On the other hand, CA salary differs depending on the company type, industry, and career choices.
To put it simply, an IAS officer starts their career with a basic pay of INR 56100 per month, while the starting salary of a CA is nearly INR 6 LPA- INR 12 LPA (INR 50,000- INR 1,00,000 per month) in the private sector.
Is IAS salary more than IPS?
Both IAS and IPS will receive basic pay of INR 56100 per month as per the 7th Pay Commission. IAS officers can earn a maximum of INR 2,50,000 as Cabinet Secretary of India, while IPS officers reach a peak salary of INR 2,25,000 when posted as Director General of Police (DGP).
The pay structure of both IAS and IPS is almost similar; they differ in terms of the form of rank advancement and designations.
What is the SDM Salary?
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) is the entry-level role of the IAS officer post. The SDM salary is structured according to the 7th Pay Commission guidelines.
Here is the breakdown of the SDM in hand salary discussed below for reference purposes:
- Pay Level: Level 10
- Basic Pay: INR 56100
- Grade Pay: INR 5400
- Pay Band: INR 15600-39100
- Gross Salary: INR 1,00,000+ with allowances
- IAS In-hand Salary: INR 70,000+ per month
Frequently Asked Questions on IAS Salary 2026
Q) What is the salary of an IAS?
A) The initial IAS salary is INR 56100 per month as per the 7th Pay Commission. The actual IAS officer salary will include basic pay, allowances, and admissible deductions.
Q) What will be the IAS salary after 5 years?
A) The IAS salary after 5 years will include basic pay of INR 67,700 per month under pay level 11. This includes positions like Deputy Collector cum Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary.
Q) What allowances are included in the IAS salary per month?
A) Some allowances included IAS salary per month are DA, HRA, TA, medical allowances, and other benefits.
Q) What is the IAS Officer Job Profile?
A) The IAS job profile involves land revenue collection, implementing government schemes, and policy formulation.
Q) What is the highest IAS officer salary?
A) The highest IAS officer salary is INR 250000 per month, which will be drawn by the Cabinet Secretary.
