IAS probation and first posting sequence:

Phase I — LBSNAA, Mussoorie (~16 weeks):

• Foundation Course (shared with IPS, IFS, and other Group A services)
• Introduction to administration, governance, law, and management

District Field Training (~52 weeks):

• Posted to an allocated cadre state district
• Works under a Collector (District Magistrate) as a trainee
• Exposed to: revenue settlement, law and order, block-level development programs, courts, police coordination

Phase II — LBSNAA (~8 weeks):

• Returned to Mussoorie for advanced governance modules after field experience

Total probation: approximately 2 years

First substantive posting:

• Typically: Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) — Level 10 in pay matrix (₹56,100 basic)
• In some states: Assistant Collector, Additional Collector, or even a District posting in smaller states
• The posting is decided by the state government of the allocated cadre

Source: Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), All India Services (Conduct) Rules; LBSNAA Annual Reports; IAS (Pay) Rules 2016