Each year, lakhs of aspirants take the UPSC exams and only the most brilliant ones pass them. Luck also favors many, but several aspirants have to take multiple attempts to crack the exam code. The success rate is less than 0.01 per cent.
| Level | Basic Pay | Total IAS Salary |
| Entry-level (starting salary) | 56100 | 56100 – 132000 |
| Maximum Pay (cabinet secretary level) | 250000 | 250000 |
- The starting salary is Rs 50,000 and can rise up to 1,50,000 depending on the years of service. The levels range from junior scale, senior time scale and junior administrative grade.
- For selection grade, super time scale and above super time scale, the salary is between Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 2,00,000.
- For the apex scale and cabinet secretary grade, the salary is Rs 2,50,000.
Perks and Allowances given to an IAS officer
- Residence: IAS officers are allotted bungalows or residential units according to their ranks, pay scale and seniority. The size of the houses is decided in keeping with the Central public works department.
- Transport: Vehicles are assigned to officers on the basis of rank and posting. The officers posted in rural areas get an ambassador whereas senior officers get luxury cars like a Toyota Fortuner or Innova.
- Security: They can get their own licensed guns like other citizens but they are not allotted a gun by the government. However, they are allotted three home guards and two bodyguards for themselves and their families.
- Bills: IAS officers get free or highly subsidized electricity, water, gas and phone connections.
- Vacation: IAS officers enjoy subsidized accommodation in government guest houses or bungalows during their official or un-official trips. When in the capital, they can take advantage of living at their State Bhawans.
- Leaves: The officers who have completed 7 years of service can avail of this benefit and opt for study leaves for 2 years. They can go for the courses at foreign universities and the cost of such courses will be undertaken by the government.
- Pension: They enjoy lifetime pension and retirement benefits.
Functions and powers:
To collect revenue and function as court officials in matters of revenue and crime (for the revenue courts and criminal courts of executive magistrates), to maintain law and order, to implement union and state government policies at the grass-roots level when posted to field positions i.e. as sub-divisional magistrates, additional district magistrates, district magistrates and divisional commissioners, and to act as an agent of the government in the field, i.e. to act as an intermediary between the public and the government.