From IFS officer salary to other perks, there is a lot to consider in this civil service option if you are an IFS or civil service aspirant. However, you must also factor in other aspects of the service in your consideration than just the remuneration.
There is also a unique prestige associated with the field because of the involvement of foreign travel, which can be subjectively desired by some aspirants more than others. So if you are someone giving a thought to this esteemed position, take into consideration this article that explains the complete IFS salary structure.
IFS Officer Salary Basic Structure
Right now, the basic structure of the IFS officer salary is defined by the guidelines of the 7th Pay Commission. The level of each IFS official’s salary depends on their current rank and years spent in the service. The general range of the salary is ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000.
| Grade-Wise Breakdown of IFS Salary in India (According to the 7th Pay Commission) |
| S. No. | Grade | Post | Pay Level | Pay Range (₹) |
| 1. | Junior Scale Officer | Secretary | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| 2. | Senior Scale Officer | Additional Secretary | Level 11 | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 |
| 3. | Junior Administrative Grade | Joint Secretary | Level 12 | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 |
| 4. | Selection Grade (Grade IV) | Director | Level 13 | ₹1,23,100 – ₹2,15,900 |
| 5. | Super Time Scale (Grade III) | Deputy Secretary | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 |
| 6. | Higher Administrative Grade II | Under Secretary | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 |
| 7. | Apex Scale (Grade I) | Under Secretary | Level 17 | ₹2,25,000 |
Level 17 shows the highest salary and growth potential of an IFS officer in India. At this level, the officer receives Apex Scale Grade I with the post of Under Secretary, and the salary reaches up to ₹2,25,000.
IFS Officer Salary (Monthly In-Hand)
The IFS salary per month in India is ₹56,100 as far as the basic pay is concerned. However, the total monthly in-hand salary reaches ₹89,496. For a detailed overview, refer to the following table.
| IFS Salary in India per Month in ₹ |
| S. No. | Breakdown | Amount in Rupees (₹) |
| 1. | Basic Pay | ₹56,100 |
| 2. | Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹6,732 |
| 3. | House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹13,464 |
| 4. | Travel Allowance (TA) | ₹3,200 |
| 5. | Other Allowances | ₹10,000 |
| 6. | Total In-Hand Salary | ₹89,496 |
DA and HRA are added to the salary after calculating 12% and 24% of the basic pay, respectively. These percentages might also be subject to variation, as per the city of residence, especially under HRA, i.e., House Rent Allowance.
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IFS Starting Salary & Maximum Limit
The minimum and maximum an IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officer can earn is specifically mentioned in the table below. How much an official earns basically depends on the level of basic pay, the applicability of the pay level, and the years of service completed up to the current point.
| Initial and Ultimate Salary Limits |
| S. No. | Particulars | Salary Range (₹) |
| 1. | IFS Starting Salary | ₹56,100-₹1,77,500 |
| 2. | Highest Salary of IFS Officer | ₹2,25,000 |
An IFS officer only receives the highest basic pay when they have completed about 35 years of service as per the agreed terms and conditions. The officer becomes the Senior Most Secretary at this level and takes advantage of extensive benefits and utmost comfort.
Special Foreign Allowance Besides IFS Officer Salary
For many aspirants, the most attractive aspect is not only the Indian Foreign Service salary, but also a special foreign allowance that is only given to IFS officers posted abroad. The main purpose of this addition to the basic pay is to offset the effects of varying costs of living in different foreign countries.
Some special foreign allowance limits for major countries abroad are mentioned in the table below.
| S. No. | Country/Region | Foreign Allowance (₹) | Total Salary (₹) |
| 1. | USA | ₹2,50,000 | ₹3,39,496 |
| 2. | UK | ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,89,496 |
| 3. | Europe (non-UK) | ₹1,80,000 | ₹2,69,496 |
| 4. | Middle East | ₹1,50,000 | ₹2,39,496 |
| 5. | Africa | ₹1,20,000 | ₹2,09,496 |
This is the best way to deal with high inflation rates when posted in foreign countries, so that it doesn’t decrease the value of the in-hand salary in practicality! The determination of the special foreign allowance isn’t static but dynamic, as it is calculated based on the prevailing inflation rate and other crucial factors.
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Additional Perks and Allowances
In addition to foreign service officer salary, there are other benefits and entitlements as well for the deployed officials. To name a few, DA, HRA, TA, and CCA are some additional perks. For a detailed overview, consider the following table and learn how distinctively beneficial IFS is!
| S. No. | Additional Benefits in IFS Salary India | Purpose |
| 1. | Dearness Allowance | Offsets the effects of changes in the cost of living as per the rising inflation rate. |
| 2. | House Rent Allowance | Provides for accommodation expenses, subject to variation as per the location of residence. |
| 3. | Transport Allowance | Meets transportation expenses incurred in the line of duty. |
| 4. | City Compensatory Allowance | Offered to compensate for the higher cost of living in Tier-1 metropolitan cities. |
| 5. | Daily Allowance | Provided to cover necessary expenses when an IFS officer is on official travel. |
| 6. | Medical Allowance | Helps meet medical expenses of the official as well as their family members. |
| 7. | Leave Travel Concession | Allows officers to travel within India to their desired locations or hometown (with or without family) for a specified period. |
| 8. | Lifestyle Support | Includes domestic help, security personnel, and utility expenses, i.e., telecommunication, electricity, and water. |
| 9. | Child Education Assistance | Encompasses the government-sponsored support for child education. |
| 10. | Study Leave Facility | Motivates IFS officers, allowing them to pursue further higher education during their postings with financial and paid leave assistance. |
| 11. | Security | Includes security-related facilities during residential stay, work, official travel and other duty-related outdoor visits. |
| 12. | Pension | Ensures a consistent stream of income after retirement for financial security and well-being. |
In addition to these general perks, there are contingency benefits as well that are provided under special circumstances, such as debilitating accidents, or serious chronic health conditions. The beneficiary can claim lifelong medical support with satisfactory periodic financial assistance in the wake of a serious health problem.
Career and IFS Officer Salary Growth
Growth in the profession of the Indian Foreign Service is pretty straightforward. The progression is steady and experience-dependent. As the years in service go by, the promotion level increases, leading to a corresponding change in the designation, basic pay, perks, allowances and special benefits.
Consider the following table for gradual career growth and salary increments under IFS.
| S. No. | Designation | Years of Service | Promotion Level | Salary (Basic Pay) Range |
| 1. | Under Secretary | 1 to 4 | Junior Time Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| 2. | Deputy Secretary | 5 to 9 | Senior Time Scale | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 |
| 3. | Director | 10 to 14 | Junior Administrative Grade | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 |
| 4. | Joint Secretary | 15 to 19 | Selection Grade | ₹1,23,100 – ₹2,15,900 |
| 5. | Additional Secretary | 20 to 24 | Additional Secretary | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 |
| 6. | Secretary | 25 to 29 | Secretary | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,20,100 |
| 7. | Ambassador/High Commissioner | 30 to 34 | Ambassador/High Commissioner | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,20,100 |
| 8. | Senior Most Secretary | Over 35 | Senior Most Secretary | ₹2,25,000 |
The highest pay level is enjoyed by an IFS officer who has completed over 35 years in the service without resignation or potential disputes.
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IAS Vs IFS Salary with Benefits
Consider a brief comparison between IAS and IFS remuneration. Both services have their unique ups and downs. Thus, the table below only analyzes the given particulars with an objective mindset without leading to any conclusions.
| IAS Vs IFS Officer Salary & Other Benefits |
| S. No. | Salary Type | IAS | IFS |
| 1. | Starting Salary | ₹56,100 + allowances | ₹56,100 + allowances |
| 2. | Foreign Allowance | Not Applicable Here | ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
| 3. | Maximum Salary | ₹2,25,000 + allowances | ₹2,25,000 + allowances |
| 4. | Additional Perks on Top of In-hand Salary | Housing, Healthcare, Pension | Housing, Healthcare, Education, Pension, Travel, and other service specific perks |
The major difference in pay is caused by the Special Foreign Allowance that is only provided to an IFS official deployed outside India for service duties.
Conclusion
So, the IFS officer salary per month is ₹56,100 without allowances and other financial aids. IAS and IPS officials also receive the same level of basic pay. The main distinguishing factor is the special foreign allowance that is only available under IFS.
All civil services have their own distinctive perks to enjoy and demanding responsibilities to handle. Thus, if you need to make a choice—which service to select, always focus on your capacity to handle the key roles and responsibilities.
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FAQs
Ans: The highest salary, as per the basic pay, of an IFS officer is ₹2,25,000. This level of salary is only received when the pay level 17 applies to the concerned official.
Ans: Yes, Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers are provided with public vehicles in India and abroad as well, based on their seniority level.
Ans: Yes, if an IFS officer wants to get deployed only in India, they can opt for that option.
Ans: For a qualified person, the exam isn’t tough. The IFS exam is designed to find the right candidate who can handle their roles and responsibilities easily without feeling stressed.
Ans: Yes, they are provided with well-furnished accommodations in India as well as any other foreign country where they have been or are to be deployed.
