There are 5,577 IAS officers serving across India, working in both state cadres and central departments, out of 6,877 sanctioned posts.
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of officers at 571, while smaller states like Manipur (80), Nagaland (53), and Sikkim (36) have the least IAS officers.
In this article, we will look at the latest data, show how officers are distributed across states, and highlight the overall composition of India’s IAS workforce.
IAS Officers In India: Key Takeaways
- India currently has 5,577 IAS officers serving out of 6,877 sanctioned posts.
- About 180 new officers are selected each year through the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
- IAS officers are posted across 25 state cadres and central departments.
- Women make up roughly 21% of IAS officers, with West Bengal having the highest number, 84 officers in the State.
How Many IAS Officers in India: Current Sanctioned Strength
As of January 1, 2025, India has 6,877 IAS cadre strength. Currently, 5,577 officers are working across 25 state cadres and central departments.
A year earlier, there were 6,858 posts, with 5,542 officers in service, as shared in Parliament.
Over the year, 35 more officers joined or were promoted. This reflects steady recruitment and growth in the IAS workforce and adds strength to the administration across the country.
Source: PIB Press Release, The Hindu
IAS Officers In India by State
- As of January 2025, Uttar Pradesh has the largest IAS cadre with 571 officers, followed by AGMUT with 406 and Madhya Pradesh with 391.
- Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu come next, with 359 and 343 officers.
- Sikkim has only 36 IAS officers, making it a state with the least number of IAS officers.
Have a look at the table below showing the total IAS Officers by State:
| Rank | State / Cadre | Total IAS Officers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh (UP) | 571 |
| 2 | AGMUT (UT Cadre) | 406 |
| 3 | Madhya Pradesh (MP) | 391 |
| 4 | Maharashtra (MH) | 359 |
| 5 | Tamil Nadu (TN) | 343 |
| 6 | Bihar (BH) | 303 |
| 6 | West Bengal (WB) | 303 |
| 8 | Karnataka (KN) | 273 |
| 9 | Rajasthan (RJ) | 268 |
| 10 | Gujarat (GJ) | 255 |
| 11 | Assam–Meghalaya (AM) | 214 |
| 12 | Punjab (PB) | 198 |
| 13 | Andhra Pradesh (AP) | 195 |
| 14 | Odisha (OD) | 185 |
| 15 | Jharkhand (JH) | 177 |
| 16 | Haryana (HY) | 172 |
| 17 | Chhattisgarh (CG) | 164 |
| 18 | Kerala (KL) | 157 |
| 19 | Himachal Pradesh (HP) | 117 |
| 20 | Uttarakhand (UD) | 109 |
| 21 | Manipur (MN) | 80 |
| 22 | Tripura (TR) | 74 |
| 23 | Nagaland (NL) | 53 |
| 24 | Sikkim (SK) | 36 |
IAS Officers in India by Category
The 2025 category-wise data for IAS officers is not available yet, but the 2024 figures will give you a clear picture of how IAS officers are distributed across categories:
| Category of Officers | Number of IAS Officers | Share of Total IAS Officers |
|---|---|---|
| General | 382 | 46 % |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 243 | 29% |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 136 | 16 % |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 67 | 9 % |
IAS Officers In India By Gender
The exact distribution of male and female IAS officers in India for 2025 isn’t available yet. Still, according to some sources, women now make up about 21% of all serving IAS officers, and their numbers are rising each year.
- Women had very low representation in the IAS in the past, making up only 13% of recruits between 1951 and 2020.
- Their numbers have grown recently, with the 2023 batch seeing 41% women — 74 out of 180 recruits.
- This increase contributes to women now making up about 21% of all serving IAS officers.
- Among states, West Bengal has the most women IAS officers, with around 84 officers in the cadre.
- At the central level, women hold roughly 18% of secretary positions, while very few serve as chief secretaries.
Sources: esgtimes, The Print, The Secretariat, India MasterMinds
How Many IAS Officers in India Are Selected Every Year?
Every year, around 180 IAS officers are chosen through the UPSC Civil Services Exam. This number follows the Baswan Committee’s recommendations and ensures that enough officers join the administration.
The exact number can change depending on retirements, available vacancies, and the needs of central and state governments.
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Conclusion: There Are 5,577 IAS Officers In India
India has 6,877 IAS cadre posts, with 5,577 officers serving across 25 states and central departments.
Each year, about 180 new officers join through the UPSC exam, adding to the workforce. Women now make up around 21% of all officers, actively contributing to the bureaucracy.
With ongoing recruitments, promotions, and growing diversity, the IAS continues to strengthen India’s administration and build a more balanced and effective workforce.
FAQs
Officially, many IAS officers retire around age 60, but specific annual totals are not published; estimates suggest about 300–350 retire yearly.
Smaller states like Sikkim, Nagaland, and Manipur have the lowest number of IAS officers according to government strength data.
The government sets the sanctioned number of IAS officers based on administrative needs, retirements, and cadre requirements.
UPSC allocates IAS cadres using merit, candidate preferences, and vacancies under a DoPT‑managed cadre allocation policy.
The average age of IAS officers is around 26–28 years, as most join in their mid‑20s after clearing UPSC.
