Most IAS officers start their careers in the state administration at the sub-divisional level as a sub divisional magistrate. They are entrusted with the law and order situation of the city along with general administration and development work of the areas under their charge. The post of District Officer is also known as District Magistrate, District Collector or Deputy Commissioner. Since it is the most identifiable position in the IAS services, it is also the post which most people identify with IAS. At the top of the hierarchy of IAS officers at the Centre is the Cabinet Secretary followed by Secretary/Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary. These posts are filled according to seniority.[8]

Position in the Government of India	Equivalent position in the State Government
Under Secretary	Deputy Secretary Additional District Magistrate
Deputy Secretary	Joint Secretary District Magistrate Deputy Commissioner
Director	Special Secretary Head of Departments
Joint Secretary	Secretary
Additional Secretary	Pricipal Secretary Fiancial Commissionar
Secretary	Chief Secretary
CABINET Secretary	No Equivalent Constitutional Authority – Ranked 11th In the table of precedence.

a) appointment will be made on probation for a period of two years which may be extended subject to certain conditions. Successful candidates will be required to undergo prescribed training at such place and in such manner and pass such examinations during the period of probation as the Central Government may determine.

b) If in the opinion of the Government, the work or conduct of a probationer is unsatisfactory or shows that he is unlikely to become efficient, the government may discharge him forthwith or, as the case may be, revert him to the permanent post, on which he holds a lien or would hold a lien had it not been suspended under the rules applicable to him prior to his appointment to the Service.

c) On satisfactory completion of his period of probation Government may confirm the officer in the Service or if his work or conduct has , in the opinion of the Government , been unsatisfactory , Government may either discharge him from the Service or may extend his period of probation for such further period, Subject to certain conditions as Government may think fit.

d) An officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service will be liable to serve anywhere in India or abroad either under the Central Government or under a state Government.

e) Scale of Pay

Junior scale Grade – Pay Band – 3 Rs. 15600-39100 plus Grade pay Rs 5400
( with effect from the 1st of day of January , 2006 )

Senior Scales –

1. Senior Time Scale -

Pay Band – 3 Rs. 15600-39100 Plus grade pay Rs. 6600. ( Two additional increments shall be granted at the time of pay fixation on promotion.)

2. Junior Administrative Grade –
Senior Time Scale - Pay Band – 3 Rs. 15600-39100 plus Grade pay Rs 7600 Plus grade pay Rs. 6600. ( Two additional increments shall be granted at the time of pay fixation on promotion.)

3. Selection Grade

Senior Time Scale - Pay Band – 4 Rs. 37400-67000 plus Grade pay Rs 8700

( Two additional increments shall be granted at the time of pay promotion on the minimum of pay band plus grade pay ) ( with effect from the 1st of day of January , 2006 )

C) Super Time Scale –

Pay Band – 4 Rs. 37400-67000 plus Grade pay Rs 10000 ( with effect from the 1st of day of January , 2006 )

Above Super Time Scale –

Pay Band – 4 Rs. 37400-67000 plus Grade pay Rs 12000;

Apex scale : Rs 80000 ( fixed) ; Grade pay Nil

Cabinet Secretary Grade : 90000 ( Fixed ); Grade pay Nil ;

( For the post of Cabinet Secretary in the Government of India ) ( with effect from the 1st of day of January , 2006 )

Dearness allowances will be admissible in accordance with the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time under the All India Service ( Dearness Allowance) Rules, 1972.

A probationer will start on the junior time scale and be permitted to count the period spent on probation towards the leave pension or increment in the time scale.

f) Provident Fund – Officers of the Indian Administrative Service are governed by the All India Service ( Provident Fund ) Rules, 1955, as amended from time to time.

g) Leave – Officers of Indian Administrative Service are governed by the All India Service(Leave) rules, 1955 as amended from time to time.

h) Medical Attendance – Officers of the Indian Administrative Service are entitled to Medical attendance benefits admissible under the All India Service Medical Attendance rules, 1954, as amended from time to time.

i) Retirement Benefits - Officers of the Indian Administrative Service appointed on the basis of Competitive examination are governed by the All India Services ( Death – cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958 as amended from time to time