If you are preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, one of the most searched topics is IAS Officer Salary 2025. Apart from the pride and authority that comes with the Indian Administrative Service, the attractive pay scale, allowances, and perks make IAS one of the most sought-after careers in India.
In this article, we will break down the IAS salary per month, grade pay, promotions, in-hand salary after the 7th Pay Commission, and other benefits.
IAS Officer Salary 2025 Overview
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Starting Basic Pay: ₹56,100 per month (Level 10)
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Highest Basic Pay: ₹2,50,000 per month (Cabinet Secretary of India)
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Average In-Hand Salary: ₹75,000 – ₹2,30,000 (including allowances)
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Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), Medical benefits, official residence, and security
IAS Salary Per Month in 2025
The IAS salary per month depends on the officer’s rank and years of service. An entry-level IAS officer earns ₹56,100 as basic pay. With allowances like DA, HRA, and TA, the in-hand salary goes up to ₹75,000 – ₹90,000 per month.
At the highest level, the Cabinet Secretary of India draws a salary of ₹2,50,000 per month.
IAS Salary After 7th Pay Commission
The 7th Pay Commission replaced the old grade pay system with a Pay Matrix (Level 10 – Level 18). Here’s the IAS Officer Salary 2025 structure:
| Post / Designation | Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹) | Approx. Years of Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) / Undersecretary | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | 0–4 years |
| Additional District Magistrate (ADM) / Deputy Secretary | Level 11 | ₹67,700 | 4–9 years |
| District Magistrate (DM) / Joint Secretary | Level 12 | ₹78,800 | 9–12 years |
| Director / Selection Grade | Level 13 | ₹1,18,500 | 12–16 years |
| Divisional Commissioner / Special Secretary | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 | 16–25 years |
| Principal Secretary / Additional Secretary | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 | 25–30 years |
| Chief Secretary | Level 17 | ₹2,25,000 | 34–36 years |
| Cabinet Secretary (Top Post) | Level 18 | ₹2,50,000 | 37+ years |
IAS Salary After 10 Years
After 10 years of service, an IAS officer usually holds posts like District Magistrate or Joint Secretary. At this stage, the salary ranges between:
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₹78,800 (Level 12) to ₹1,18,500 (Level 13) per month (excluding allowances).
With DA, HRA, and TA, the take-home salary becomes much higher, often ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,30,000 per month.
IAS Grade Pay (Before 7th Pay Commission)
Earlier, IAS salaries were calculated with grade pay. After the 7th Pay Commission, grade pay was merged into the pay matrix. Still, here’s how it looked before:
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₹5400 (Entry-level SDM/Undersecretary)
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₹6600 (ADM / Deputy Secretary)
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₹7600 (District Magistrate / Joint Secretary)
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₹8700 – ₹10,000 (Director / Senior Posts)
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₹67,000 – ₹80,000 (Principal Secretary / Chief Secretary)
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₹90,000 (Cabinet Secretary of India)
Allowances & Perks of IAS Officers in 2025
In addition to the basic salary, an IAS officer enjoys multiple perks:
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Dearness Allowance (DA): Adjusted twice a year, currently around 50% of basic pay.
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House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8% to 24% of basic pay depending on posting (metro, city, or rural).
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Travel Allowance (TA): Covers official and personal travel expenses.
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Medical Benefits: Free healthcare for officer & family.
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Government Residence & Staff: Spacious official residence, domestic help, and security.
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Pension & Retirement Benefits: Lifetime pension, gratuity, and medical cover after retirement.
IAS Salary Based on Posting Location
HRA differs depending on whether the IAS officer is posted in a metro city, smaller town, or rural area:
| City Category | HRA (% of Basic Pay) |
|---|---|
| X (Metro Cities) | 24% |
| Y (Smaller Cities) | 16% |
| Z (Rural Areas) | 8% |
For example, an entry-level IAS officer with ₹56,100 basic pay in a metro city gets ₹13,464 as HRA.
Total In-Hand IAS Salary in 2025
After adding allowances and subtracting deductions (PF, income tax, etc.), the approximate in-hand IAS salary looks like this:
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Probationary IAS Officer: ₹75,000 – ₹90,000
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District Magistrate (DM): ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,20,000
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Divisional Commissioner: ₹1,30,000 – ₹1,50,000
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Chief Secretary: ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,30,000
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Cabinet Secretary: ₹2,50,000
IAS Officer Career Growth
The IAS career path is structured and rewarding. Officers get promotions based on experience and seniority:
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Probationary Officer (Training)
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Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
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District Magistrate (DM) / Collector
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Divisional Commissioner
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Secretary / Principal Secretary
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Chief Secretary (State Level)
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Cabinet Secretary of India (Top Bureaucrat)
IAS vs IPS Salary 2025
Both IAS and IPS officers start with the same basic pay of ₹56,100 per month.
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IAS Highest Salary: ₹2,50,000 (Cabinet Secretary)
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IPS Highest Salary: ₹2,25,000 (Director General of Police)
While salaries are similar, IAS officers generally hold higher administrative authority.
FAQs on IAS Officer Salary 2025
Q1. What is the starting salary of an IAS officer in 2025?
👉 An IAS officer starts with ₹56,100 basic pay (₹75,000 – ₹90,000 in-hand with allowances).
Q2. What is the highest salary of an IAS officer?
👉 The Cabinet Secretary earns ₹2,50,000 per month.
Q3. Do IAS officers get free housing?
👉 Yes, IAS officers are provided official residences, staff, and security.
Q4. What is the IAS salary after 10 years?
👉 Around ₹78,800 – ₹1,18,500 basic pay per month, excluding allowances.
Q5. Do IAS officers get pensions after retirement?
👉 Yes, they receive lifetime pension, gratuity, and post-retirement perks.
Conclusion
The IAS Officer Salary 2025 is one of the most attractive pay structures in India’s government sector. Starting from ₹56,100 per month, the salary rises with promotions and experience, going up to ₹2,50,000 for the Cabinet Secretary. Along with salary, IAS officers enjoy unmatched perks such as government housing, vehicles, medical facilities, and pension benefits.
For UPSC aspirants, the IAS salary is only one motivation—the real reward lies in serving the nation and making a lasting impact on society.
