BharatNotes Interactive Tool
Civil Services Salary & Career Comparison
Compare salary, career trajectory, and perks of IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and 9 other Group A Central Services. All data based on 7th CPC pay matrix with DA 60% (effective 1 Jan 2026).
7th CPC Pay Matrix — All Career Stages
Same pay matrix applies to all Group A Civil Services. Career velocity (years to reach each stage) is what differs across services.
| Stage | Level | Basic (Min) | Typical Year | In-hand (X-city, DA 60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Time Scale (JTS) | 10 | ₹56,100 | 0–4 | ₹95k – ₹1.05L |
| Senior Time Scale (STS) | 11 | ₹67,700 | 5–8 | ₹1.15L – ₹1.25L |
| Junior Admin Grade (JAG) | 12 | ₹78,800 | 9–13 | ₹1.30L – ₹1.45L |
| Selection Grade | 13 | ₹1,23,100 | 14–16 | ₹2.05L – ₹2.20L |
| Super Time Scale (NFSG/SAG) | 14 | ₹1,44,200 | 17–20 | ₹2.35L – ₹2.55L |
| HAG | 15 | ₹1,82,200 | 21–25 | ₹2.95L – ₹3.10L |
| HAG+ | 16 | ₹2,05,400 | 25–29 | ₹3.25L – ₹3.40L |
| Apex (Secy/DG) | 17 (fixed) | ₹2,25,000 | 30+ | ₹3.55L+ |
| Cabinet Secretary | 18 (fixed) | ₹2,50,000 | 35+ | ₹3.90L+ |
Apex/HAG+ officers usually get Type-VII govt bungalow in lieu of HRA. IFS abroad gets Foreign Allowance (tax-exempt u/s 10(7) IT Act) often 2–4× basic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary of an IAS officer in 2026?
IAS officer entry salary (JTS, Pay Level 10): Basic ₹56,100 + DA 60% (₹33,660) + HRA 30% in X-city (₹16,830) + TA ₹7,200 + DA on TA ₹4,320 = ~₹1,18,110 gross per month. After NPS deduction (~₹8,990) and CGEGIS (~₹3,000), in-hand ≈ ₹95,000–1,05,000/month in metro. Plus government accommodation/Type IV-V bungalow worth ~₹40–60k/month market rent.
How does IAS salary compare to IPS, IFS, and IRS?
Basic pay is identical across all 13 services at the same Pay Level (all follow 7th CPC matrix). What differs:
Career velocity: IAS reaches Secretary (L17) at ~30 yrs; IPS reaches DGP (L17) at ~25-30 yrs; IFS reaches Foreign Secretary (L17) at ~34 yrs; IRS officers may take longer to reach Member/Chairman levels.
Perks differ significantly: IFS has tax-exempt Foreign Allowance abroad (often 2-4x basic); IPS has personal security; IAS gets sumptuary at DM+ level.
What is the Cabinet Secretary's salary?
Cabinet Secretary (Pay Level 18, fixed): Basic ₹2,50,000 + DA 60% (₹1,50,000) = ₹4,00,000 base gross. With no HRA (Type-VIII bungalow provided), TA, and post deductions, in-hand is ~₹3,90,000–4,10,000/month. Plus official residence, car with security, sumptuary allowance, and other perks worth ~₹2-3 lakh/month notional. Highest-ranked civil servant in India.
Why is IFS considered lucrative despite same basic pay?
Foreign Allowance for IFS officers posted abroad is tax-exempt under Section 10(7) of Income Tax Act 1961. Depending on country/city, it can be ₹2–4 lakh/month equivalent in USD/EUR — usually 2-4 times the basic pay. Plus diplomatic passport, posh embassy housing, household staff abroad. Effective in-hand for IFS abroad can match or exceed Apex-level domestic salary.
Are these salary figures accurate?
Basic pay and DA are exact — based on 7th CPC Pay Matrix (Notification 25 Jul 2016) and DA 60% effective 1 Jan 2026 (Finance Ministry OM 22 Apr 2026). HRA is exact per city class. In-hand estimates are approximate ranges because they depend on: (1) NPS opt-in vs opt-out, (2) tax regime chosen (old vs new), (3) special allowances (hard area, NE, Siachen), (4) whether govt housing is taken in lieu of HRA. Use as indicative ranges.
What perks does an IAS officer get beyond salary?
Government bungalow (Type IV-VIII depending on grade), chauffeur-driven vehicle, 2-4 domestic staff (sanctioned), sumptuary allowance at DM+ level, medical (CGHS), LTC, study leave with pay (for foreign degrees), pension (under NPS for post-2004 entrants). Notional perk value at Senior levels can exceed ₹1.5–2 lakh/month.
