IAS OFFICER: 2016 SALARY, PERKS, AND OTHER FACILITIES

IAS vs. Private Sector Salary

Working for IAS (Indian Administrative Services) is not only the most well-known government job, it is also one of the most prestigious jobs in India. Many Indian job seekers wonder how much an IAS employee makes since some believe the salary is lower than private sector jobs. As a result, many bright students don’t want to join government service.

The reality is that after the 6th pay commission, the IAS salary is quite good. When you add to it the many perks you get as an IAS officer, the result is comparable to private-sector jobs. In addition, IAS is not just about the salary and it's more than just a job for making money. It’s also about serving the nation and its billions of people.

In this article, I’m going to discuss the salary and facilities of an IAS officer.

IAS Grades and Pay Scales

In government services in India, the pay scale is not the total salary. It only indicates the minimum and maximum base pay of an employee, which is supplemented with grade pay, D.A., and other perks. The IAS are promoted to pay scales according to service seniority.

These scales are:

• Junior Scale
• Senior Time Scale
• Junior Administrative Grade
• Selection Grade
• Super Time Scale
• Above Super Time Scale
• Apex Scale
• Cabinet Secretary Grade

Summary of Pay Scales, Salary Ranges, and Grade Pay

Grade	Pay Scale	Grade Pay	Years of Service Required	Post
Junior or Lower Time Scale	15,600 - 39,100	5,400	n/a	Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), SDO, or Sub-Collector (after 2 years probation)
Senior Time Scale	15,600 - 39,100	6,600	5	District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government Ministry
Junior Administrative	15,600 - 39,100	7,600	9	Special Secretary or the Head of Various Government Departments
Selection Grade	37,400 - 67,000	8,700	12 - 15	Secretary to a Ministry
Super Time Scale	37,400 - 67,000	8,700	17 - 20	Principal Secretary of a Very Important Department of the Government
Above Super Time Scale	37,400 - 67,000	12,000	(varies)	(varies)
Apex Scale	80,000 (fixed)	--	(varies)	Chief Secretary of States, Union Secretaries in charge of various ministries of Government of India
Cabinet Secretary Grade	90,000 (fixed)	--	(varies)	Cabinet Secretary of India

Keep in mind that this information can change and varies based on location and position. Currency is Indian rupees.

Junior or Lower Time Scale

Summary:

• Pay Band: Rs 15,600 - 39,100
• Grade Pay: Rs 5,400 (compensates for training and learning)
• Post: Sub-Divisional Magistrate or Sub-Collector (SDM or SDO) in a subdivision of a district

In Junior Scale, the new recruit joins at Pay Band 3, which is Rs: 15,600 – 39,100.

He also gets a Grade Pay of Rs 5,400 to compensate for training and learning. After that, the new recruit is placed in a probation period for two years after which he is posted as an SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate), also known as SDO or Sub-Collector.

Senior Time Scale

Summary:

• Years of Service Required to Reach Level: 5
• Pay Band: Rs 15,600 - 39,100
• Grade Pay: Rs 6,600
• Post: District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government Ministry

After at least 5 years of service, the IAS employee is promoted to Senior Time Scale at the pay band of 15,600 - 39,100 with a grade pay of Rs 6,600. At that time, he may be posted as a District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government ministry.

Junior Administrative Grade

Summary:

• Years of Service Required to Reach Level: 9
• Pay Band: Rs 15,600 - 39,100
• Grade Pay: Rs 7,600
• Post: Special secretary or head of various government departments

The IAS is promoted to this scale after nine years of service and could get the post of special secretary or the head of various government departments.

Selection Grade

Summary:

• Years of Service Required to Reach Level: 12-15
• Pay Band: Rs 37,400 - 67,000
• Grade Pay: Rs 8,700
• Post: Secretary of a ministry

To reach this grade, you need to contribute a minimum of 12 - 15 years in the service. The post for Selection Grade is that of the secretary to a ministry.

Super Time Scale

Summary:

• Years of Service Required to Reach Level: 17 - 20
• Pay Band: Rs 37,400 - 67,000
• Grade Pay: Rs 8,700
• Post: Principal secretary of a very important department of the government

After completing a minimum 17 to 20 years of service, the officer reaches the Super Time Scale salary and he becomes Principal Secretary of a very important department of the government.

Above Super Timescale

Summary:

• Years of Service Required to Reach Level: (varies)
• Pay Band: Rs 37,400 - 67,000
• Grade Pay: Rs 12,000
• Post: (varies)

A limited number of bright individuals are selected for Above Super Time Scales.

Apex Scale

Summary:

• Years of Service Required to Reach Level: (varies)
• Pay Band: Rs 80,000 (fixed)
• Grade Pay: n/a
• Post: Chief Secretary of States, Union Secretaries in charge of various ministries of Government of India

The highest base salary is Rs 80,000 (fixed) for an IAS.

Cabinet Secretary Grade

Summary:

• Years of Service Required to Reach Level: (varies)
• Pay Band: Rs 90,000 (fixed)
• Grade Pay: n/a
• Post: Cabinet Secretary of India

Only the central Cabinet Secretary is given the base salary of Rs 90,000 (fixed).

Total Starting Salary and Maximum Salary of IAS

IAS Level	Basic Pay	D.A. (at 125%) 2016	Total Salary
New Recruit	21000 (increases 3% per year)	26250 (increases 10-14% per year)	47250
Level at Maximum Pay	90,000 (fixed)	112500(could increase)	202500

What Is the Total Starting Salary of an IAS ?

Now, I know you shall want to know how much total money officers get after joining the service, since it is difficult to understand the jargon of pay band, grade scale, and other government terms.

Keep in mind that total pay can change with time. At the moment, the total payment of an IAS recruit can be roughly estimated as below: (Updated in April 2016)

• Basic Pay: Rs 21,000
• D.A. (at 125%): Rs 24,990
• Total: Rs 47,225 (updated according to the latest central D.A.)

This is the average salary of an IAS officer in India at the beginning of his career.

The base pay will increase at a rate of 3% per annum and you can expect a D.A. increase of an average of 10% to 14% per year. As such, an IAS officer can hope to double his salary every seven to nine years.

The Maximum Salary of an IAS Officer

Of all IAS, the Cabinet Secretary gets the highest salary. He has a fixed base pay of Rs 90,000. Since it is fixed, he does not get any further raises.

His estimated salary is as follows:

• Base Pay: Rs 90,000
• D.A.: Rs 1,12,500
• Total: Rs 2,02,500

This salary may increase with an increase of D.A.

IAS Officer: Salary and Perks

If you compare this job with a top job in the private sector, you'll discover it has comparatively nice facilities and perks.

• Officers are often given superb accommodation for very low rent, usually a big bungalow with its own security guards, gardeners, servants, and cooks.
• An IAS officer gets government cars, usually with red lights.
• Officers receive free electricity and telephone.
• During official travel for duty, IAS officers get accommodation in very good government bungalows and rest houses.
• Power and prestige is obviously one of the greatest perks for an IAS officer.
• IAS positions are much more secure than private sector jobs. In fact, it is very, very tough even for a chief minister to terminate an IAS officer’s job since they are protected by legal safeguards.
• IAS officers can apply for a study leave for 2 to 4 years in a reputable foreign university, the cost of which will be paid by the government.
• Officers get lifetime pensions and other retirement benefits.

There are many more facilities and perks which are impossible for a private sector employee to get.

Moreover, an IAS officer is behind the formation and implementation of the policies of the central and various state governments. The work you do is for the good of the people, which is the greatest perk of all.

Source: http://hubpages.com/business/ias-officer-salary-and-facilities