IAS Promotion Chart with Years & Salary 2025 — Designations, Promotion Time, Pay

IAS Promotion Chart with Years and Salary helps the candidate understand the promotion trajectory. Candidates must thoroughly comprehend the post before beginning their preparation for UPSC CSE. Officers must serve the country for a designated number of years to qualify for promotion to higher ranks. Specific regulations govern the promotion of IAS officers, recognizing and advancing meritorious officers to higher positions to take on greater responsibilities. The salary also increases proportionally with the level at which IAS officers are promoted. Reviewing the complete IAS promotion chart, including years of service and corresponding salaries, is essential to grasping the career prospects and challenges of becoming a civil servant.

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What is the IAS Promotion Chart?

The career progression of IAS officers typically follows a structured hierarchy, starting from entry-level roles such as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to senior positions like District Collector, Secretary, and ultimately, Chief Secretary or Cabinet Secretary. Each role carries distinct responsibilities, contributing to the effective administration and development of the country:

• Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) / Assistant Collector

1. 1. • Years of Service: 1-4 years
      • Responsibilities: Administration of a sub-division, law and order, revenue collection, and implementation of government schemes.

• Additional District Magistrate / Chief Development Officer

1. 1. • Years of Service: 5-8 years
      • Responsibilities: Overseeing various development projects, assisting the District Magistrate, and handling additional administrative duties.

• District Magistrate (DM) / Collector

1. • Years of Service: 9-12 years
   • Responsibilities: Head of the district administration, responsible for law and order, revenue, and development administration within the district.

Roles of Some Important IAS Posts - State Level

Deputy Secretary / Joint Secretary

• Years of Service: 5-12 years
• Responsibilities: Assisting in the formulation and implementation of state policies, coordination between various departments, and handling specific portfolios.

Special Secretary / Director 

• Years of Service: 13-16 years
• Responsibilities: Managing major state departments, overseeing policy implementation, and advising senior officials on administrative matters.

Secretary / Principal Secretary

• Years of Service: 16-30 years
• Responsibilities: Senior-most position at the state level, responsible for major policy decisions, coordination among various departments, and high-level administrative control.

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Roles of Some Important IAS Posts - Central Level

Deputy Secretary (Central)

• Years of Service: 9-12 years
• Responsibilities: Assisting in the formulation of central government policies, inter-ministerial coordination, and administrative duties.

• Joint Secretary (Central)

• Years of Service: 16-24 years
• Responsibilities: Heading major departments, policy formulation, and implementation at the national level, representing the ministry in parliamentary committees.

Additional Secretary

• Years of Service: 25-30 years
• Responsibilities: High-level policy-making, strategic planning, and senior advisory roles within the ministry.

Secretary (Central)

• Years of Service: 34-36 years
• Responsibilities: Topmost administrative position in a ministry, responsible for overall policy direction, implementation, and strategic administration at the national level.

To sum up, the IAS promotional chart is a merit-based system that ensures that capable and experienced officers advance to positions of greater responsibility, contributing effectively to governance and public administration at both the state and national levels.

Promotion of IAS Officer

IAS Promotion Chart with Years — District, State & Centre Comparison

IAS Promotion Chart with Years and Salary 

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IAS Salary Structure at Each Promotion Stage

Designation-wise Salary Table

The salary of an IAS officer increases steadily with promotion to higher designations. Each level in the IAS hierarchy has a fixed salary band according to the 7th Pay Commission. The pay includes basic salary, allowances, and grade pay associated with the officer’s responsibilities, seniority, and years of service. Below is a clear and accurate breakdown of IAS salaries at each rank.

Promotion Rules, APAR & Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC)

Hierarchical Structure and Time Frame

• Junior Time Scale or JTS to Senior Time Scale or STS:

1. 1. • Officers are promoted from JTS to STS after 4 years of service.
      • This includes a training period and is usually automatic based on satisfactory performance and conduct.

• Senior Time Scale or STS to Junior Administrative Grade or JAG:

1. 1. • Officers are promoted to JAG after 9 years of service.
      • This promotion is also usually automatic, based on satisfactory service records and available vacancies.

• Junior Administrative Grade or JAG to Selection Grade or SG:

1. 1. • Officers are eligible for promotion to SG after completing 13 years of service.
      • This promotion requires a positive performance review and the availability of vacancies.

• Selection Grade or SG to Super Time Scale or STS (/Deputy Secretary):

1. 1. • Promotion to STS or the rank of Deputy Secretary occurs after 16 years of service.
      • This is contingent on satisfactory service, performance reviews, and availability of vacancies.

• Super Time Scale (STS) to Above Super Time Scale (Additional Secretary/Secretary) and Higher Administrative Grade (HAG):

1. • Promotions to these levels typically occur after 25-30 years of service.
   • They depend on the availability of posts, performance, seniority, and sometimes political considerations.

Performance Reviews and Committees

• Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR):

• • • Each officer’s performance is evaluated annually through APAR, which significantly influences promotion decisions.
    • The APAR includes self-assessment, reporting the officer’s comments, reviewing officer’s remarks, and accepting the authority’s final comments.

• Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC):

• • Promotions, especially to higher ranks, are decided by DPCs comprising senior officials.
  • DPCs assess the officers based on their service records, integrity, and suitability for higher responsibilities.

Eligibility and Integrity

• Integrity Clearance:

• • Officers must have a clear integrity certificate and should not have any pending disciplinary cases.
  • Promotion can be deferred or denied if there are pending inquiries or charges.

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Special Cases and Accelerated Promotions

• Exceptional Performance:

• • • Officers demonstrating exceptional service or significant achievements may be considered for accelerated promotions.
    • Such cases require recommendations and approval from higher authorities.

• State-Cadre Considerations:

• • Since IAS officers are allotted to state cadres, their promotion might also depend on state-specific rules and availability of posts within the state.

Cadre Review and Postings

• Cadre Management:

• • Promotions are also influenced by the periodic cadre reviews which assess the number of posts at various levels.
  • Officers may be required to serve in different roles and locations as part of their career progression.

Promotion to Apex Scale and Cabinet Secretary

• Apex Scale:

• • • Very few officers reach the apex scale (equivalent to the rank of Chief Secretary in the state or Secretary to the Government of India).
    • This is usually achieved after around 30-35 years of service.

• Cabinet Secretary:

• • The highest rank for an IAS officer is typically filled through direct appointment by the Prime Minister of India.