Government jobPay Level 10Group AGazetted
Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) Officer
भारतीय लेखा परीक्षा और लेखा सेवा अधिकारी
Group A service via the UPSC Civil Services Exam — leading audits of central and state governments under the C&AG.
Indian Audit and Accounts Department (under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India) · central government
In-hand pay at joining, per month
₹92,000–₹1,02,000
Lower in small towns, higher in metros. Work out your own city below.
- Exam
- UPSC CSE
- Qualification
- Graduate
- Age limit
- 21–32 years
- Transfers
- Anywhere in India
- Work hours
- Regular office hours for most of the year
- Probation
- 2 years, including training at the National Academy of Audit and Accounts, Shimla
Estimated in-hand / month
₹97,054
Gross ₹1,06,740 · CTC ≈ ₹14.3 lakh/yr
Where are you posted?
Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) Officer · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.
New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.
What you will actually do
- Planning and supervising audits of government departments, PSUs and schemes
- Finalising audit reports that go to Parliament and state legislatures
- Heading a group in an Accountant General's office
- Overseeing compilation of state accounts and entitlement functions
- Assisting Public Accounts Committees
- Auditing Indian missions and UN bodies on assignment
A typical day
As a Deputy Accountant General you manage several audit parties. Your day goes in reviewing draft inspection reports, deciding which findings are strong enough for the C&AG's report, meeting department secretaries to discuss audit observations, and handling the administration of a few hundred staff. Field visits are occasional. The work is analytical and deadline-driven around report finalisation.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) Officer (joining)
Pay Level 10
₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-hand
Senior Deputy Accountant General
After 4 years · Level 11 · via dpc
₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand
Accountant General
After 16–18 years · Level 14 · via dpc
₹1,88,000–₹2,12,000 in-hand
Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General
After about 30 years, for a few · Level 17 · via dpc
₹2,69,000–₹3,04,000 in-hand
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Union Public Service Commission
- 1.Preliminary examination (two objective papers)
- 2.Main examination (nine descriptive papers)
- 3.Personality test (interview)
Eligibility: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply for the preliminary exam. Age 21–32. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years. General candidates get 6 attempts, OBC 9, and SC/ST have no attempt limit within the age limit.
The good
- Constitutional independence and little political pressure
- State-capital postings and good work-life balance
- Foreign audit assignments
The hard parts
- Advisory role: audit can report but not enforce
- Low public visibility
- Transfers across states
Postings
Accountant General offices in state capitals, central audit offices in major cities, and C&AG headquarters in Delhi, with a few overseas audit offices and UN assignments. Transfers every three years or so.
Questions people ask
What is the in-hand salary of Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) Officer?+
Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) Officer is a Pay Level 10 post with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹92,000–₹1,02,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.
What is the qualification and age limit for Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) Officer?+
Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply for the preliminary exam. Age: 21–32 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years. General candidates get 6 attempts, OBC 9, and SC/ST have no attempt limit within the age limit.
Which exam do I need to clear for Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) Officer?+
UPSC CSE (Union Public Service Commission).
Is IA&AS allotted through the same exam as IAS?+
Yes. It is one of the Group A services filled through the Civil Services Examination, by rank and preference.
Compare with similar posts
IRS Officer (Income Tax)
आईआरएस अधिकारी (आयकर)
Group A central service via the UPSC Civil Services Exam — assessing, investigating and administering direct taxes.
IAS Officer (Indian Administrative Service)
आईएएस अधिकारी (भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा)
All India Service via the UPSC Civil Services Exam — runs district administration and later heads departments and ministries.
Assistant Audit Officer (C&AG)
सहायक लेखा परीक्षा अधिकारी
Group B gazetted, Pay Level 8 post under the C&AG via SSC CGL — auditing government departments, with regular audit tours.
Books to prepare for UPSC CSE
- See on Amazon
Indian Polity
M. Laxmikanth (McGraw Hill)
The one polity book almost every serious aspirant uses. Dense; plan on several readings.
- See on Amazon
A Brief History of Modern India
Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
Concise modern history in a factual, revision-friendly format.
- See on Amazon
India's Struggle for Independence
Bipan Chandra
The narrative behind the freedom movement. Longer than Spectrum; read it for understanding and for Mains.
All 8 books for UPSC Civil Services, Forest Service, CAPF and EPFO
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect which books we list.
Sources
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.