Authority! This is the word that strikes the mind everytime the word IAS is mentioned. The Indian Administrative Services (IAS) is indeed one of the highest and most powerful bureaucratic levels one can achieve in India; the other two being the IPS and IFS. So much so, IAS officers has been glorified in popular movies as the symbol of power and authority.
IAS officers actively participate in policy formulation and implementation, governance and administrative assistance to the Central and State government. Of course IAS selection is done by the apex government recruiter; the Union Public Service Commission.
UPSC conducts the Civil Services examination for the selection of IAS officers. Undoubtedly, IAS examination is considered one of the toughest competitive examinations for government recruitment in India. Predictably, it is also one of the highest paying government jobs in India. Not to mention the range of other benefits that an IAS officer receives in exchange for the bureaucratic services.
UPSC IAS Examination
The Civil Services examination is one of the most difficult competitive examinations in India. While many apply to appear in the examination conducted by the UPSC every year, only the better among the best are able to crack the exam. Besides, cracking the IAS exam in the first attempt is a rare occurrence. Even the most meritorious students are not able to get past the three stage selection process in one go.
Undoubtedly, IAS officers receive enviable compensation in the form of monthly salary, allowances and various other benefits. Besides, they also receive entitlements as gazetted government officials engaged in ministerial roles. At present, the compensation package of IAS officers is governed by the provisions of the latest i.e. 7th Central Pay Commission.
Salary of IAS in India per month
IAS officers are entitled to receive a basic salary of more than Rs 50,000 per month. However, they are not entitled to receive the Housing Rent Allowance (HRA) during the period of probation. As the 7th Central Pay Commission eliminated the principle of Grade Pay (GP) for IAS officers, therefore, these officers receive the basic salary without any grade pay. However, at the Cabinet Secretary level, monthly salary of IAS officers can reach on to Rs 2.5 lacs per month.
Similar to the compensation package of any other public servant in India, the basic salary is only the tip of the iceberg. IAS officers are entitled to receive monthly emoluments in the form of Travelling Allowance (TA), Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA).
IAS basic monthly salary is incremental at the rate of 3% per year in the early stages and rises up to a fixed percentage when the officer reaches to the Cabinet secretary level.
Similar to the basic pay, an IAS officer is also entitled to receive increments anywhere between 0 to 14% starting from the initial stages. Furthermore, the DA can increase even after the officer reaches the Cabinet Secretary level.
Now that you have a fundamental idea about the minimum and maximum monthly salary of IAS officers, check out the various pay levels at which IAS officers serve and the basic pay at each level.
| Rank | Pay Level | Basic Salary |
| Under/Asst Secretary | 10 | Rs 56100 |
| Dy/Under Secretary | 11 | Rs 67700 |
| Joint/Dy Secretary | 12 | Rs 78800 |
| Special Secretary/Director | 13 | Rs 118500 |
| Secretary/Joint Secretary | 14 | Rs 144200 |
| Divisional Commissioner/Principal Secretary/Additional Secretary | 15 | 182200 |
| Principal Secretary/Additional Secretary | 17 | 225000 |
| Cabinet Secretary of India | 18 | 250000 |
Constitutional Morality of IAS
Being an IAS is more than just a government job in India. An IAS officer commands power, authority and respect wherever they go. Some officers have been so noteworthy during their tenures that they have even made the headlines. Besides, the constitutional morality of an IAS officer is what is expected and needed to fulfil their duties with integrity. No surprise that IAS aspirants are more interested about the position compared to the monetary compensation.
