Latest update — 6 October 2026
IAS entry basic pay is ₹56,100 under the applicable pay matrix. Gross and take-home pay vary with allowances and deductions. No unimplemented future pay revision is included in these figures.
Salary scope at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry Level 10 basic pay | ₹56,100 per month in the cited 2016 IAS pay matrix |
| Gross salary | Basic pay plus applicable allowances |
| Net payment | Gross less applicable deductions |
| Future revisions | Not included without an effective notified rule |
IAS starting basic pay is ₹56,100 per month at Level 10 under the Indian Administrative Service (Pay) Rules, 2016. Basic pay is only one part of a salary statement: an officer’s gross and in-hand amounts depend on applicable allowances and deductions. A single take-home figure cannot describe every posting.
This guide explains the official pay matrix and how to read a salary estimate. It does not treat an estimated future pay revision as an implemented salary.
IAS salary: basic pay by level
The figures below are the first cells of the relevant levels in Appendix I of the DoPT IAS Pay Rules. They are monthly basic pay, not a promise of net salary or a promotion timetable.
| Grade | Pay level | Starting basic pay |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Scale | 10 | ₹56,100 |
| Senior Time Scale | 11 | ₹67,700 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | 12 | ₹78,800 |
| Selection Grade | 13 | ₹1,18,500 |
| Super Time Scale | 14 | ₹1,44,200 |
| Higher Administrative Grade | 15 | ₹1,82,200 |
| Apex Scale | 17 | ₹2,25,000 |
| Cabinet Secretary grade | 18 | ₹2,50,000 |
Source: Rule 3 and Appendix I. The Cabinet Secretary grade is attached to that specific post; it is not the salary every IAS officer reaches at retirement. Advancement is governed by the service rules and relevant promotion requirements.
Basic, gross and in-hand salary: what is the difference?
- Basic pay: the amount in the officer’s applicable pay-matrix cell.
- Gross salary: basic pay plus the allowances actually payable for the relevant month and posting.
- In-hand salary: gross salary after the deductions shown on the pay statement.
When comparing estimates, first check whether both figures use the same pay level, month, posting and accommodation situation. A figure headed “IAS salary per month” is not useful if it silently mixes basic pay with an assumed allowance package.
How to assess an IAS salary estimate
- Identify the pay level and cell rather than relying on years of service alone.
- Record the month and effective date of each allowance order.
- Use only allowances applicable to the actual posting.
- List deductions separately, including any applicable tax, retirement contribution and accommodation or other recovery.
- Label the result as an illustration unless it comes from an authentic pay statement.
DA, HRA and allowances: use the applicable order
Do not calculate a 2026 salary using an undated DA or HRA percentage. Check the effective date, the category of employee covered and the authority that applies the order to the posting. Consult the Department of Expenditure’s published orders and circulars; an officer should also check the relevant cadre or payroll instructions.
This article does not certify a single current DA/HRA rate for every IAS officer. Government accommodation, travel facilities and other entitlements should be checked against the applicable rules; they should not be advertised as an unconditional personal package of a bungalow, staff and a car.
Worked illustration without assumed allowance rates
If an officer’s applicable basic pay is ₹56,100, gross pay equals ₹56,100 plus only the allowances actually payable for that posting and month. Net payment then subtracts the deductions on the pay statement. Without those inputs, a precise take-home amount would be an estimate rather than a verified salary.
How to estimate your actual monthly pay
Start with the basic-pay cell applicable to your grade and increment. Add only the allowances payable for your posting and month, then subtract pension contributions, taxes and other deductions shown on the pay statement. Without those inputs a precise net-salary figure is an estimate.
Official sources
Checked on 6 October 2026. Later official amendments take precedence. Preparation plans are GovtAdhikari editorial guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Is ₹56,100 the amount paid into every new officer’s bank account?
No. It is entry basic pay in the cited matrix. Applicable allowances and deductions determine net payment.
Is Cabinet Secretary pay a guaranteed retirement salary?
No. It belongs to that specific grade/post, not every IAS officer.