IAS Salary 2026 - Salary Structure, Pay Scale, Basic Pay, Grade Pay & Benefits

IAS Salary 2026 - Salary Structure, Pay Scale, Basic Pay, Grade Pay & Benefits

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Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 18 Sep 2025, 10:02 AM IST
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Union Public Service Commission mentions the details about the IAS salary 2026, the perks and allowances in the official CSE notification. The IAS 2026 salary has been mentioned in the notification at upsc.gov.in. Candidates qualifying the UPSC civil services exam will be recruited as IAS officers. Based on the seniority, the IAS officer salary can reach up to Rs 2,50,000 (approx.) if the candidate reaches the highest post i.e. Cabinet Secretary.

This Story also Contains

  1. IAS Salary - Highlights
  2. IAS Salary Pay Scale career-wise posts
  3. IAS salary - Formula for salary calculation
  4. IAS salary - Components of IAS salary
  5. IAS salary 2026 - Basic pay
  6. IAS salary - Dearness Allowance (DA)
  7. UPSC IAS salary - House Rent Allowance (HRA)
  8. IAS salary - Travel Allowance (TA)
IAS Salary 2026 - Salary Structure, Pay Scale, Basic Pay, Grade Pay & Benefits
UPSC IAS Salary (Source-Shutterstock)

As per the 7th pay commission, the salary of IAS 2026 has been revised and based on the new compensation, the in-hand salary of an IAS officer is Rs 56,100 plus various allowances and perks. The IAS salary consists of various components like basic pay, HRA, TA, DA, medical allowance and more. The salary of an IAS officer is not that lucrative but the prestige and respect that this post is incomparable. Candidates wanting to clear as IAS, IPS, IFS, etc. through the exam can fill the IAS 2026 application form from the official website. To know more about the salary of IAS officer read the article below -

IAS Salary - Highlights

Aspirants can check the UPSC IAS exam highlights from the below table.

Exam Name

Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Exam

Commonly known as

UPSC CSE

Exam Conducting Authority

Union Public Service Commission

Official Website

upsc.gov.in/ upsconline.nic.in

Exam Level

National

Educational Qualification

Graduation

Minimum age limit

21 years

Stages of Exam

Preliminary

Mains

Personality Test

Exam Mode

Offline

Also read: Complete guide for UPSC CSE exam preparation

IAS salary - UPSC Civil Services Posts

Candidates clearing all three stages of the UPSC IAS 2026 selection process are eligible to be recruited to different Group A and B civil service posts in various government departments. The different civil services posts for which the UPSC CSE exam is conducted are mentioned in the table below.

UPSC civil services posts

  • Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

  • Indian Police Service (IPS)

  • Indian Foreign Services (IFS)

  • Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic), Group ‘A’

  • Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel), Group ‘A’

  • Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts), Group ‘A’

  • Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) Group ‘A’

  • Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Group ‘A’

  • Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)

  • Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)

  • Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS), Group ‘B’

  • Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’ (xxii) Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’

  • Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’

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Quick Links - UPSC IAS 2026 admit card

IAS Salary Pay Scale career-wise posts

Union Public Service Commission calculates the salary of an IAS officer based on the post and the level in that post. Check the table below to know the career-wise post and IAS 2026 salary.

IAS pay scale career-wise

Careers-wise (Posts)

IAS salary

District Administration

State Secretariat

Central Secretariat

Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM)

Under Secretary

Assistant Secretary

Rs 56,100

Additional District Magistrate (ADM)

Deputy Secretary

Under Secretary

Rs 67,700

District magistrate (DM)

Joint Secretary

Deputy Secretary

Rs 78,800

District magistrate (DM)

Special Secretary-cum-Director

Director

Rs 1,18,500

Divisional Commissioner (DC)

Secretary-cum-Commissioner

Joint Secretary

Rs 1,44,200

Divisional Commissioner (DC)

Principal Secretary

Additional secretary

Rs 1,82,200

No Equivalent Rank

Additional Chief Secretary

No Equivalent Rank

Rs 2,05,400

No Equivalent Rank

Chief Secretary

Secretary

Rs 2,25,000

No Equivalent Rank

No Equivalent Rank

Cabinet Secretary of India

Rs 2,50,000

IAS salary - Formula for salary calculation

The salary for different IAS posts is calculated taking various factors into account like basic pay, HRA, DA, TA and other allowances. The salary calculation formula according to the 7th pay commission is mentioned below:

  • Total IAS salary = Basic salary + HRA + TA + DA + Other allowances

Check Other Government Exam Salary Details

IAS salary - Components of IAS salary

The salary of an IAS officer has different components. When combined, it forms the total salary. Initially, the salary of all IAS officers is the same i.e. Rs 56,100. It increases with promotion, post and experience. The components of IAS 2026 salary are as follows:

  • Basic pay

  • HRA

  • DA

  • TA

  • Other allowances

Also read: Basic Information about category-wise government exams

IAS salary 2026 - Basic pay

At the start, the basic pay for an IAS officer salary increases 3% each year, for the number of years he/ she remains a Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM). At the Cabinet Secretary level, the basic pay remains fixed on an IAS salary.

Also read - UPSC IAS 2026 exam pattern

IAS salary - Dearness Allowance (DA)

In the starting, the DA is fixed at 0% for IAS officers and it increases with time. DA increase is dependent on inflation in IAS salary. It is calculated as per the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Level. IAS salary DA is revised on a half-yearly basis i.e. it is calculated in January and then in July every year. Generally, the IAS salary DA increases 0 - 14% each year at the entry level.

UPSC IAS salary - House Rent Allowance (HRA)

It is clear from the name itself that HRA is the compensation paid to IAS officers for the accommodation. The IAS HRA depends on the city of posting.

IAS salary - Travel Allowance (TA)

TA is given to meet various expenses related to travel. If an IAS officer has been provided with a government vehicle, then he/she cannot claim a travel allowance. Thus, the monthly salary of an IAS officer can range between Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,32,000 depending upon DA, HRA and TA.

UPSC IAS salary - Other Benefits

Some of the other benefits that are provided to IAS officers are as follows:

  • Resident

  • Security

  • Transport facility

  • Medical benefits

  • Telephone/ internet bills

  • Newspaper

  • Study leaves, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the salary of IAS officer in 2026 as per 7th pay commission?
A:

The in-hand 2026 salary of an IAS officer as per 7th pay commission is Rs. 56,100.

Q: What is the salary of IAS officer after 5 years?
A:

After 5 years, the IAS salary depends on the performance of the candidate. The IAS salary may range between Rs 80, 000 and Rs 1,20,000,

Q: What is the highest salary that an IAS officer can get through his/ her career as an IAS officer?
A:

The highest salary that an IAS officer can get is Rs 2,50,000, he/ she becomes cabinet secretary of India.

Q: Do IAS officers pay income tax on the IAS salary?
A:

Yes, IAS officers have to pay income tax on the IAS salary.

Q: What is the maximum salary that an IAS officer can get?
A:

The maximum salary that an IAS officer can get is Rs 2,50,000 (approx.) when becomes Cabinet secretary.

Q: What perks and allowances are given to an IAS officer?
A:

An IAS officer is entitled to HRA, DA, TA, medical allowance and perks government vehicle servants, government accommodation, and more.

Q: Does IAS get pension in 2026?
A:

Yes, an IAS officer will get pension and retirement benefits.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello Aspirant

As your question is not clear, you are asking how to become an IAS, which course or degree you should pursue, and all the related details regarding the IAS. So, I can suggest you choosing the right stream in Intermediate is important.
The Arts/Humanities stream is most helpful because many subjects match the UPSC syllabus.
You will study History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics—core topics for IAS. This stream also gives you more time to build the reading and writing skills needed for UPSC.

For more details and preparation tips, just click here: CLICK HERE

Hello Aspirant

All colleges are the best, and selection mainly depends on you and your consistency. But I can help you regarding this :

After the 10th, you can join PU (11–12th) colleges that offer strong academics and an early IAS foundation.
Some good options are Delhi’s Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya (Civil Services Wing), Bangalore’s BASE/Deeksha, Hyderabad’s Sri Chaitanya/Narayana, and Kota’s Allen Pre-Foundation programs.
Choose a college that gives a strong focus on NCERTs, writing skills, and current affairs along with your 11th–12th stream.
The best choice is the one that keeps you disciplined, consistent, and supported with IAS foundation classes.

ALL THE BEST!!!

Hello

If you want to become an IAS officer, you can choose any group CEC, MPC, or BiPC as IAS does not require a specific subject stream.
However, many students prefer CEC (Commerce, Economics, Civics) or MPC (Maths, Physics, Chemistry) because they help build analytical and general knowledge skills useful for the IAS exam.
CEC helps with subjects like economics and polity, which are important for the IAS syllabus.
MPC develops problem-solving skills and logical thinking, also useful for the exam. BiPC (Biology group) is less common for IAS aspirants, but still possible if you prefer life sciences.

Hello, it’s wonderful to see such clarity at such a young age. Becoming an IAS officer requires consistent preparation, strong general knowledge, and excellent analytical skills. Right now, your main focus should be building a strong base in academics, especially in subjects like History, Geography, and Economics. Start reading NCERT textbooks from class 6 to 12 for these subjects. Make it a habit to read a good newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express daily to improve your current affairs knowledge. Practice writing short essays on important topics it will help you in the Mains stage later. Participate in debates, quizzes, and discussions to improve your speaking and thinking skills. After 12th, choose a graduation subject that you enjoy but also overlaps with UPSC syllabus. Most importantly, stay consistent and avoid distractions. You have plenty of time to prepare, so start slowly and build steadily.

Wishing you success in your IAS dream, and thank you for sharing.


The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.

A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the most aligned with the CSE syllabus, covering crucial topics relevant to General Studies papers.

However, a science background, especially with a BTech CS degree, develops analytical and logical reasoning skills beneficial for the CSAT paper and could be advantageous for certain optional subjects like Mathematics or potentially Engineering disciplines.

Even if you choose a science or engineering stream, you can still select humanities-based optional subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers like Anthropology, Sociology, or Public Administration, which many engineers have successfully opted for.The integrated BSc BEd (Zoology) offers a strong foundation in science and a backup career in teaching, but the primary focus of the BEd component may not be directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus. The integrated BS-MS at IISER offers a strong research focus and academic excellence, potentially leading to diverse career paths in science, academia, industry, or even government agencies But still it is not connected with your ias dream.

Among all b.tech is best as many successful candidates from engineering backgrounds, have utilized their analytical skills and knowledge to crack the exam.