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IAS Officer vs IPS Officer

Side by side on pay, work, transfers and growth — so you can rank your preferences with confidence.

IAS OfficerIPS Officer

Pay level

Pay Level 10Pay Level 10

Starting in-hand

₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-hand₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-hand

Group

Group A (Gazetted)Group A (Gazetted)

Exam

UPSC CSEUPSC CSE

Qualification

GraduateGraduate

Age limit

21–3221–32

Field work

mediumhigh

Stress (1–5)

55

Transfers

statestate

First promotion

Senior Time Scale (ADM / Deputy Secretary) (After 4 years)Senior Time Scale (Additional SP / SP) (After 4 years)

Choose IAS Officer if…

  • ✓ Widest range of responsibility of any service, from districts to policy
  • ✓ Time-bound promotions in the early years
  • ✓ Real ability to fix problems for large numbers of people

Choose IPS Officer if…

  • ✓ Command of a large force early in your career
  • ✓ Direct impact on public safety
  • ✓ Variety, from district policing to investigation and intelligence