The IAS post list has nine grades, starting from the Time Scale at Level 10 and ending at the Cabinet Secretary Grade at Level 18. Every officer moves through state field postings and central government roles as their career progresses. 

Promotions depend on years of service, performance, and screening committee approvals under the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016. 

This article covers each grade in order, with the pay level, the designation, and the scope of work at every stage.

IAS Rank Wise Post With Salary & Promotion Timeline

Here is the list of every IAS grade in sequence, from probation to the highest office in Indian administration.

Years of Service	Rank / Grade	Common Designation	Pay Level
0–2 Years	Entry Level	IAS Probationer	Level 10
2–4 Years	Time Scale	SDM / Assistant Collector	Level 10
4–9 Years	Senior Time Scale	Additional District Magistrate	Level 11
9–13 Years	Junior Administrative Grade	Special Secretary / DM	Level 12
13–16 Years	Selection Grade	Secretary to the Government	Level 13
16–25 Years	Super Time Scale	Commissioner / Secretary to the Government	Level 14
25–30 Years	Higher Administrative Grade	Principal Secretary	Level 15
30+ Years	Fixed Scale	Chief Secretary / Financial Commissioner	Level 17
Top Post	Cabinet Secretary Grade	Cabinet Secretary (GoI)	Level 18

Source: IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016| IAS Promotion Guidelines

The IAS officer’s salary ranges from Level 10, with a basic pay of Rs. 56,100, to Level 18, with a fixed pay of Rs. 2,50,000. Pay and responsibility grow at every grade. The sections below explain what each post actually involves.

1. Entry Level (0–2 Years)

Post	IAS Probationer
Training Location	LBSNAA, Mussoorie
Basic Pay	Rs. 56,100/month
Type of Posting	Foundation + District Field Training

Training begins at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. Officers study public administration, constitutional law, revenue management, and disaster response. 

After the foundation course, the officer joins their assigned state cadre for district-level field training under a senior officer. 

This is where administrative instincts take shape, away from classrooms and close to ground-level governance.

2. Time Scale (2–4 Years)

Post	Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) / Assistant Collector
Basic Pay	Rs. 56,100/month
Type of Posting	State Government
Key Work	Land revenue, public records, law and order

The SDM posting is the first time an officer takes independent charge of a territory. The role covers land revenue collection, public records, and law and order across an entire sub-division. 

Officers manage land disputes, election duties, flood relief, and citizen grievances, often at the same time and under direct public pressure. Accountability at this stage is total. Every decision lands immediately on real people.

3. Senior Time Scale (4–9 Years)

Post	Additional District Magistrate (ADM)
Basic Pay	Rs. 67,700/month
Type of Posting	State Government
Key Work	Revenue appeals, scheme monitoring, steps in as DM when required

The ADM works directly under the District Magistrate and takes charge of the district’s most demanding administrative tasks. Revenue appeals, development scheme oversight, and law and order coordination all fall within this role. 

When the DM is absent or on deputation, the ADM runs the district. Officers also work with block-level officials to track welfare delivery at the last mile.

4. Junior Administrative Grade (9–13 Years)

Post	Special Secretary / District Magistrate (DM)
Basic Pay	Rs. 78,800/month
Type of Posting	State Government
Key Work	District administration, revenue, and disaster management

The DM post is the most powerful field role in the IAS. The officer holds full authority over revenue, law and order, welfare programmes, and disaster response across the entire district. 

A DM in Lucknow, Pune, or Patna manages thousands of government staff and controls hundreds of crores in public funds. Decisions at this level reach every village, every block, and every department within the district.

5. Selection Grade (13–16 Years)

Post	Secretary to Government
Basic Pay	Rs. 1,23,100/month
Type of Posting	State or Central Government
Key Work	Policy drafting, departmental coordination

Officers at this grade hold Secretary-level roles in state government or shift to central postings as Director or Deputy Secretary. 

A Deputy Secretary in a central ministry prepares policy notes, coordinates between departments, and supports Joint Secretaries on legislative and budget work. 

This grade marks the point where many officers move away from direct field command and into policy-driven roles.

6. Super Time Scale (16–25 Years)

Post	Commissioner / Secretary to Government
Basic Pay	Rs. 1,44,200/month
Type of Posting	State or Central Government
Key Work	Division oversight, national programme delivery

The Commissioner oversees multiple districts within a state division. At the central level, officers serve as Joint Secretaries and lead national programmes in health, infrastructure, or education. 

The scope of work at this grade is wide. A single decision here can reshape how an entire state division or a national scheme operates on the ground.

7. Higher Administrative Grade (25–30 Years)

Post	Principal Secretary / Additional Secretary (Central)
Basic Pay	Rs. 1,82,200/month
Type of Posting	State or Central Government
Key Work	Heads a government department, provides senior policy advice

The Principal Secretary leads a major state government department and advises the Chief Minister on policy matters. At the central level, officers serve as Additional Secretaries heading key ministry divisions. 

Performance at this grade determines eligibility for empanelment to the apex levels. Officers who reach this stage have spent over two decades building a career in both field administration and central policy work.

8. Fixed Scale (30+ Years)

Post	Chief Secretary / Financial Commissioner
Basic Pay	Rs. 2,25,000/month (Fixed)
Type of Posting	State Government
Key Work	Heads state administration, manages state-centre coordination

The Chief Secretary is the senior-most IAS officer in any state. This officer chairs state-level coordination meetings, resolves interdepartmental disputes, and serves as the formal liaison between the state government and the GOI. 

Pay at this grade is fixed at Rs. 2,25,000 per month. There are no further increments beyond this point.

9. Cabinet Secretary Grade (Top Post)

Post	Cabinet Secretary
Basic Pay	Rs. 2,50,000/month (Fixed)
Type of Posting	Central Government
Appointed By	Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
Key Work	Heads the Cabinet Secretariat, coordinates all ministries, and advises the PM

The Cabinet Secretary heads the Cabinet Secretariat, prepares Cabinet agendas, coordinates all central ministries, and advises the Prime Minister on administrative matters. 

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, makes this appointment. The officer also serves as ex officio Chairperson of the Civil Services Board. Pay is fixed at Rs. 2,50,000 per month.

IAS Post List in State vs Central Government

State postings focus on field administration and public service delivery. Central postings focus on policy, legislation, and cross-ministry coordination. The table below maps each grade across both tracks.

Level	State Post	Central Equivalent	Nature of Work
Time Scale	SDM / Assistant Collector	Under Secretary	Field revenue, public order
Senior Time Scale	ADM	Deputy Secretary	Revenue appeals, policy support
JAG	Special Secretary / DM	Director	District administration / ministry section lead
Selection Grade	Secretary to Government	Deputy Secretary / Director	State administration/policy drafting
Super Time Scale	Commissioner	Joint Secretary	Division oversight/programme delivery
HAG	Principal Secretary	Additional Secretary	Department head/policy adviser
Fixed Scale	Chief Secretary	Secretary to GoI	State administration head/ministry head
Cabinet Secretary Grade	No state equivalent	Cabinet Secretary	Coordinates all central civil services

Most officers alternate between state and central postings throughout their career. A central deputation typically runs three to five years. For current deputation and cadre rules, refer to the DoPT official website.

Conclusion: IAS Post List Is a Structured Path Probationer To Cabinet Secretary

The IAS post list covers nine grades, from a probationer at Pay Level 10 to the Cabinet Secretary at Pay Level 18. Each grade carries a defined role, a pay level, and responsibilities that build on the one before it.

State postings develop experience in revenue, law, and welfare delivery. Central postings build the capacity to draft and implement national policy. The DM post remains the most complete field command in the service. 

Every aspirant who understands this structure prepares with a realistic picture of the career ahead.

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