In this career, officers gain experience by working in different positions and then gradually receive promotions. An IAS officer typically becomes a DM after several years.

Every year, millions of young people take the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but only a few manage to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Becoming an IAS officer is not just a job, but a long and responsible career. In this career, officers gain experience by working in different positions and then gradually receive promotions. An IAS officer typically becomes a DM after several years. This often leads people to wonder how many promotions it takes for a District Magistrate (DM) to become a Principal Secretary and how much their salary increases during this time.

The Journey to Becoming a DM

After gaining sufficient experience as an ADM (Additional District Magistrate), the officer becomes the highest-ranking officer in the district. The DM is considered the head of the district, responsible for law and order, development work, and government schemes. Typically, an IAS officer becomes a DM after 9 to 10 years of service. The DM's salary is approximately ₹78,800. In addition, allowances (DA, HRA, TA) further increase the salary.

How many promotions are there after DM?

After becoming a DM, there are several more significant promotions for the officer. These include positions such as Joint Secretary and Divisional Commissioner. Officers usually reach these positions after 13 to 16 years of service. The salaries for these positions range from ₹1,18,500 to ₹1,44,200.

How many promotions does it take for a DM to become a Principal Secretary?

A DM is appointed as a Principal Secretary after many years of service. This is one of the most senior positions in the state government. The salary of a Principal Secretary ranges from ₹1,82,200 (Level-15) to ₹2,05,400 (Level-16). With allowances, the salary often exceeds ₹3 lakhs. How much does their salary increase?

When it comes to salary increases, the change is quite significant over an IAS officer's career. When an officer is a District Magistrate (DM), their basic salary is around ₹78,800, but as they get promoted and reach the position of Principal Secretary, their basic salary increases to approximately ₹1,82,200 to ₹2,05,400, meaning the salary more than doubles. In addition, at senior positions like Principal Secretary, IAS officers receive several special government benefits, such as a large government bungalow for accommodation, a government vehicle and driver for transportation, staff for office and household work, free or subsidized medical facilities, and travel allowances for official duties. This significantly improves both their total monthly income and standard of living.