UPSC CSE Salary 2025 – Post-Wise Pay Structure, Perks & Benefits
Are you wondering what is the salary of an IAS officer or other UPSC civil services posts? If you're preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), it's important to understand the complete UPSC CSE Salary structure, including pay levels, allowances, and benefits for top-ranking positions like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and more.
In this guide, you’ll find a complete breakdown of the UPSC posts and salary list from entry-level to apex scale.
What is Salary
Salary is the money that a person earns every month for doing a job. It is a fixed amount paid by the employer to the employee for their work. Salary is usually decided when a person joins the job and is mentioned in the job contract.
A salary has different parts like basic pay, house rent allowance (HRA), dearness allowance (DA), and travel allowance (TA). The total before any cuts is called gross salary, and the amount received after cuts (like tax or PF) is called net salary or in-hand salary.
In government jobs like IAS, IPS, IFS, the salary also includes special benefits such as free housing, official cars, medical help, and pensions. That's why many people aim for such jobs -the salary is good, and the respect is even better.
IAS – Indian Administrative Service
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the most prestigious and powerful services in India. Selected through the UPSC Civil Services Examination, IAS officers start their career at the post of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and gradually rise to top-level positions like District Magistrate (DM), Divisional Commissioner, Principal Secretary, and even Cabinet Secretary the highest post in Indian bureaucracy.
Rank-wise Grade Pay & Basic Salary
The IAS salary structure follows the 7th Pay Commission, and the pay increases with rank and years of service. The basic salary starts at ₹56,100 per month (Level 10 pay matrix) and can go up to ₹2,50,000 per month for the Cabinet Secretary of India. Along with the basic pay, IAS officers receive various allowances and benefits such as HRA, DA, travel allowance, official residence, and staff support.
This rank-wise salary progression ensures that as an officer gains experience and responsibilities, their pay and perks grow accordingly making the IAS not just a respected job, but also a financially rewarding career.
| Post / Years of Service | Grade Pay | Basic Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| SDM, Under Secretary (1–4 years) | ₹5,400 | ₹56,100 |
| Additional DM, Deputy Secretary (5–8 years) | ₹6,600 | ₹67,700 |
| DM / Collector, Joint Secretary (9–12 years) | ₹7,600 | ₹78,800 |
| DM, Director, Special Secretary (13–16 years) | ₹8,700 | ₹1,18,500 |
| Divisional Commissioner, Joint Sec. (16–24 years) | ₹8,700 | ₹1,44,200 |
| Principal Secretary, Additional Chief Sec. (24–30 years) | ₹12,000 | ₹1,82,200 |
| Chief Secretary (30–33 years) | – | ₹2,05,400 |
| Secretary / Cabinet Secretary (34–36 years) | – | ₹2,25,000 |
| Cabinet Secretary (37+ years) | – | ₹2,50,000 |
IPS – Indian Police Service
The Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the tops All India Services selected through the UPSC Civil Services Exam. IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, crime control, and leading police forces at district, state, and national levels. The salary of an IPS officer depends on their rank and years of service, and it increases with promotions over time.
Rank-wise Basic Salary
The basic salary of an IPS officer starts at ₹56,100 per month when they join as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). As they move up the ranks to Superintendent of Police (SP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Inspector General (IG), and Director General of Police (DGP), their salary increases significantly going up to ₹2,25,000 per month for top-level officers like the DGP or heads of agencies like CBI and IB.
In addition to the basic pay, IPS officers receive allowances and benefits such as official residence, government vehicle with driver, personal security, travel allowance, and post-retirement pension.
| Rank | Basic Pay (₹) |
|---|---|
| Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) | ₹56,100 |
| Additional SP | ₹67,700 |
| Superintendent of Police (SP) | ₹78,800 |
| Deputy Inspector General (DIG) | ₹1,31,100 |
| Inspector General (IG) | ₹1,44,200 |
| Additional Director General (ADG) | ₹2,05,400 |
| Director General of Police / CBI / IB | ₹2,25,000 |
IFS – Indian Foreign Service
The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is a prestigious Group A service chosen through the UPSC Civil Services Exam. IFS officers represent India in foreign countries and work in embassies, consulates, and international organizations. Their salary in India is based on the designation and experience, as per the 7th Pay Commission.
Designation-wise Salary (IN INDIA)
An IFS officer’s basic salary starts at ₹56,100 per month as an Under Secretary. With experience and promotion, they rise to higher posts like Deputy Secretary, Director, Joint Secretary, and eventually Ambassador or Foreign Secretary, where the salary can reach up to ₹2,25,000 per month.
Along with the basic pay, they receive HRA, DA, and other government allowances. When posted abroad, they get foreign allowances in US dollars, which makes their total income significantly higher, depending on the country of posting.
| Designation | Grade Pay / Band | Basic Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Under Secretary (Junior Time Scale) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 |
| Under Secretary (Senior Time Scale) | Level 11 | ₹67,700+ |
| Deputy Secretary (Jr Administrative Grade) | Level 12 | ₹78,800+ |
| Director / Counsellor (Selection Grade) | Level 13 | ₹1,18,500+ |
| Joint Secretary (Senior Administrative Grade) | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200–₹1,82,200 |
| Ambassador / High Commissioner | Apex Level | ₹2,25,000+ |
Note: IFS officers posted abroad receive extra allowances—housing, education, foreign allowance (USD-based), car, and domestic help.
IRS – Indian Revenue Service (IT & Customs)
The Indian Revenue Service (IRS) is one of the major Group A civil services under the UPSC CSE, with two main branches: Income Tax and Customs & Indirect Taxes (GST). IRS officers are responsible for tax collection, investigation, and enforcement related to income tax, customs, and GST laws.
Designation-wise Grade Pay & Salary
The basic salary of an IRS officer starts at ₹56,100 per month as an Assistant Commissioner. As they gain experience and get promoted to Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Principal Commissioner, their salary rises steadily. Senior officers in top positions can earn up to ₹2,25,000 per month.
In addition to basic pay, IRS officers enjoy benefits such as government accommodation, official vehicle, laptop/phone allowance, medical facilities, and pension. Officers involved in tax raids and investigations may also receive performance-based incentives or rewards.
| Designation | Grade Pay | Basic Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Commissioner (Initial Post) | ₹5,400 | ₹56,100 |
| Deputy Commissioner | ₹6,600 | ₹67,700 |
| Joint Commissioner | ₹7,600 | ₹78,800 |
| Additional Commissioner | ₹8,700 | ₹1,18,500 |
| Commissioner | ₹10,000 | ₹1,44,200 |
| Principal Chief Commissioner | Apex Level | ₹2,05,400–₹2,25,000 |
Other Group A Services (Similar Pay Structures)
IAAS (Audit), IRTS (Railway), IDAS (Defence), IIS (Information) etc. follow almost identical pay levels:
- Entry Level: ₹56,100
- Entry Level: ₹56,100
- Entry Level: ₹56,100
Summary – Salary Insights Across Services
| Service | Starting Pay | Maximum Basic Pay | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAS | ₹56,100 | ₹2,50,000 | Bungalow, Staff, Car, Power |
| IPS | ₹56,100 | ₹2,25,000 | Security, Official Residence, Govt Vehicle |
| IFS | ₹56,100 | ₹2,25,000+ (in ₹) + Foreign Allowances | Diplomatic Passport, House Abroad, Intl. Schooling |
| IRS | ₹56,100 | ₹2,25,000 | Housing, Car, Raiding Power |
| Others | ₹56,100 | ₹2,25,000 | Department-specific perks |
What is the 7th Pay Commission?
The 7th Pay Commission is the latest salary revision system set up by the Government of India to revise the pay, allowances, and benefits of its central government employees, including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other civil services. Implemented in January 2016, it replaced the 6th Pay Commission and brought major changes in how government salaries are calculated.
Under the 7th Pay Commission, the Grade Pay system was removed, and a new Pay Matrix was introduced. This matrix clearly shows salary levels based on position and years of service, starting from Level 1 to Level 18. The minimum basic pay was fixed at ₹18,000, and for Group A services like IAS/IPS, the entry-level basic pay became ₹56,100 (Level 10).
It also increased Dearness Allowance (DA) and restructured HRA, medical, and travel benefits, making government jobs more competitive and rewarding. The 7th Pay Commission plays a key role in ensuring fair and consistent salary growth for lakhs of government employees across India.
Conclusion
The UPSC Civil Services offer not just prestigious roles like IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS, but also come with attractive salary structures, steady promotions, and powerful perks. Starting with a basic pay of ₹56,100 per month, officers can rise to earn up to ₹2.5 lakh per month along with lifelong benefits such as housing, transport, staff support, and pensions.
Whether serving in administration, diplomacy, law enforcement, or finance, these officers enjoy job security, national respect, and the opportunity to make a real difference. For aspirants, understanding the UPSC CSE salary structure adds both motivation and clarity on what lies ahead after clearing one of India’s toughest exams.
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