The IAS Salary 2026-27 is based on the 7th Pay Commission and varies according to the officer’s pay level, years of service, posting and promotion. An IAS officer starts with a basic salary of ₹56,100 per month, while the basic pay can go up to ₹2,50,000 per month for the Cabinet Secretary of India. Apart from basic pay, officers receive allowances such as DA, HRA and TA along with several government facilities.
What is the Salary of IAS Officer 2026-2027?
The starting salary of an IAS officer in 2026-27 is ₹56,100 per month as basic pay. This is the entry-level pay under Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission. The actual monthly earnings are higher after adding applicable allowances.
IAS Salary Structure and Pay Scale 2026
The IAS Salary Structure is organised according to the Pay Matrix under the 7th Pay Commission. As officers gain experience and take on higher responsibilities, they move to higher pay levels.
| IAS Salary Structure and Pay Scale 2026 | ||
|
Years of Service |
Pay Level |
Basic Pay |
|
1-4 years |
Level 10 |
₹56,100 |
|
5-8 years |
Level 11 |
₹67,700 |
|
9-12 years |
Level 12 |
₹78,800 |
|
13-16 years |
Level 13 |
₹1,18,500 |
|
16-24 years |
Level 14 |
₹1,44,200 |
|
25-30 years |
Level 15 |
₹1,82,200 |
|
30-33 years |
Level 16 |
₹2,05,400 |
|
34-36 years |
Level 17 |
₹2,25,000 |
|
37+ years |
Level 18 |
₹2,50,000 |
IAS In-Hand Salary 2026
The IAS in-hand Salary 2026 is different from the basic or gross salary. Basic pay is the fixed amount attached to the officer's pay level, while gross salary includes applicable allowances. In-hand salary is calculated after deductions such as taxes and other applicable contributions.
At the entry level, the basic pay is ₹56,100 per month, while the gross monthly salary can reach around ₹1.5 lakh in some circumstances, depending on allowances and posting. The actual in-hand amount will vary from officer to officer.
For example:
Basic Pay + DA + HRA + TA/other applicable allowances = Gross Salary
Gross Salary - Applicable Deductions = In-Hand Salary
Therefore, there is no single fixed in-hand salary applicable to every IAS officer.
IAS Salary During Training
IAS Salary During Training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), IAS officer trainees receive a basic pay of ₹56,100 per month under Pay Level 10. After adding applicable allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA) and deducting expenses such as mess bills, hostel charges and NPS contributions, the in-hand amount may generally range between ₹35,000 and ₹55,000 per month.
IAS Officer Perks and Allowances
Along with basic pay, IAS officers receive DA, HRA, transport allowance, medical facilities and several government-provided benefits, depending on their posting, rank and applicable service rules.
| IAS Officer Perks and Allowances | |
|
Perk & Allowance |
Details |
|
Dearness Allowance (DA) |
Helps compensate for inflation and is revised periodically by the government. |
|
House Rent Allowance (HRA) |
Provided based on the city of posting when eligible government accommodation is not availed. |
|
Transport Allowance (TA) |
Helps cover commuting and transportation expenses, subject to applicable rules. |
|
Government Accommodation |
Eligible officers may receive official residential accommodation, subject to availability and entitlement. |
|
Official Vehicle |
Depending on rank and posting, officers may receive a government vehicle and driver for official duties. |
|
Medical Facilities |
Medical coverage/facilities are available for the officer and eligible family members under applicable government schemes. |
|
Travel Benefits |
Officers can receive official travel-related benefits and applicable Leave Travel Concession (LTC). |
|
Communication Benefits |
Certain communication and telephone expenses may be reimbursed as per government rules. |
|
Security |
Security arrangements may be provided depending on the officer's post, responsibilities and threat perception. |
|
Retirement Benefits |
Officers receive retirement-related benefits according to the applicable government pension and service rules. |
Rank-wise IAS Salary in India
Rank-wise IAS Salary in India increases with experience, seniority and promotion under the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. An IAS officer starts with a basic pay of ₹56,100 per month and can reach ₹2,50,000 per month at the Cabinet Secretary level.
| Rank-wise IAS Salary in India | ||
|
IAS Post |
Pay Level |
Basic Salary per Month |
|
SDM / Under Secretary / Assistant Secretary |
Level 10 |
₹56,100 |
|
ADM / Deputy Secretary / Under Secretary |
Level 11 |
₹67,700 |
|
District Magistrate / Joint Secretary / Deputy Secretary |
Level 12 |
₹78,800 |
|
District Magistrate / Director |
Level 13 |
₹1,18,500 |
|
Divisional Commissioner / Secretary-cum-Commissioner / Joint Secretary |
Level 14 |
₹1,44,200 |
|
Divisional Commissioner / Principal Secretary / Additional Secretary |
Level 15 |
₹1,82,200 |
|
Additional Chief Secretary |
Level 16 |
₹2,05,400 |
|
Chief Secretary / Secretary |
Level 17 |
₹2,25,000 |
|
Cabinet Secretary of India |
Level 18 |
₹2,50,000 |
IAS Salary Growth With Experience
IAS Salary increases progressively with years of service, annual increments, promotions and higher administrative responsibilities. Under the 7th Pay Commission, the basic pay starts at ₹56,100 at Level 10 and can rise to ₹2.50 lakh at Level 18.
- 1-4 Years: An IAS officer starts at Pay Level 10 with a basic pay of ₹56,100 per month. At this stage, officers may serve as Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) in district administration or Assistant Secretaries in the Central Secretariat.
- 5-8 Years: Officers generally move to Pay Level 11, where the basic pay starts at ₹67,700 per month. They may work as Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) or Deputy Secretaries.
- 9-12 Years: At Pay Level 12, the basic pay rises to ₹78,800 per month. Officers can hold important positions such as District Magistrate (DM) or Joint Secretary in a state government.
- 13-16 Years: Officers generally reach Pay Level 13, with a starting basic pay of ₹1,18,500 per month. Their responsibilities increase as they take up senior administrative and policy-related roles.
- 16-24 Years: At Pay Level 14, the basic pay starts at ₹1,44,200 per month. Officers may serve as Divisional Commissioners, Secretaries-cum-Commissioners or Joint Secretaries.
- 25-30 Years: At Pay Level 15, the basic pay can reach ₹1,82,200 per month. Officers at this stage may hold positions such as Principal Secretary or Additional Secretary.
- 30-33 Years: Officers moving to Pay Level 16 receive a basic pay of ₹2,05,400 per month and may serve as Additional Chief Secretaries.
- 34-36 Years: At Pay Level 17, the basic pay is ₹2,25,000 per month. This level includes senior positions such as Chief Secretary of a State or Secretary to the Government of India.
- 37+ Years: The highest level is Pay Level 18, with a fixed basic pay of ₹2,50,000 per month for the Cabinet Secretary of India, the highest-ranking civil servant in the country.
IAS vs IPS Salary
Both IAS and IPS officers follow the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix, with the entry-level basic pay starting at ₹56,100 per month. The main difference is in their roles, career progression and senior-most posts, while allowances and in-hand salary vary based on posting and applicable rules.
| IAS vs IPS Salary | ||
|
Parameter |
IAS |
IPS |
|
Starting Basic Pay |
₹56,100/month |
₹56,100/month |
|
Entry Pay Level |
Level 10 |
Level 10 |
|
Senior Pay Levels |
Up to Level 18 |
Up to Level 17/18, depending on post |
|
Highest Basic Pay |
₹2,50,000/month |
Up to ₹2,25,000/month for Level 17 posts |
|
Major Senior Posts |
Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary |
DGP, Director General-level posts |
|
Allowances |
DA, HRA, TA and other applicable benefits |
DA, HRA, TA and other applicable benefits |
|
In-Hand Salary |
Depends on allowances, posting and deductions |
Depends on allowances, posting and deductions |
Last updated on August, 2026
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IAS Salary 2026 FAQs
Q1. What is the starting salary of an IAS Officer?+
Q2. What is the salary of IAS after 5 years?+
Q3. What is the highest post in IAS?+
Q4. Who will pay IAS salary?+
Q5. What is DM salary?+



