IAS Officer Salary 2026: Starting Pay, Allowances, Promotions & Cabinet Secretary Pay

Eligibility

No specific recruitment eligibility is stated in this post.

Publication and Updated Dates

• Updated on: 18-02-2026 (original text: "Updated February 18, 2026 4:14 PM").

Application Fees

No application fees information is provided in this post.

Overview

• The IAS salary structure follows the 7th Pay Commission. Entry-level basic pay is ₹56,100 per month (Pay Level 10), rising to ₹2,50,000 per month for Cabinet Secretary (Pay Level 18), excluding allowances.

Pay Levels and Basic Pay (Examples)

• 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
• DM / 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, ₹2,05,400
• Additional Chief Secretary: Level 16, ₹2,25,000 (approx.)
• Chief Secretary / Secretary: Level 17, ₹2,25,000
• Cabinet Secretary: Level 18, ₹2,50,000

In-Hand Salary and Allowances

• In-hand salary is higher than the basic pay due to DA, HRA, TA, and other allowances.
• Entry-level in-hand estimates commonly range from ₹70,000 to ₹1,00,000+ depending on city and allowances.
• Senior levels (Levels 14-18) typically exceed ₹2,00,000-₹3,00,000+ in-hand after allowances.

Allowances and Perks

• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA)
• Transport Allowance (TA)
• Other allowances and facilities such as official residence, medical facilities, and pension benefits.

Promotion and Career Progression

• Promotions upgrade pay levels (e.g., from Level 10 to higher levels over 15-20 years).
• Career milestones include progression through SDM, DM, Divisional Commissioner, and up to Cabinet Secretary.

FAQ

• The Cabinet Secretary earns ₹2,50,000 per month at Pay Level 18, the highest IAS salary.
• District Magistrates typically fall in Pay Level 12 with basic pay around ₹78,800 plus allowances.

Notes

• All figures are indicative estimates based on the 7th Pay Commission framework and can vary with revised government announcements.
• For the latest exam details, refer to the UPSC notification.