Government jobPay Level 10Group AGazetted
IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes)
आईआरएस अधिकारी (सीमा शुल्क एवं अप्रत्यक्ष कर)
Group A central service via the UPSC Civil Services Exam — administering GST, customs and anti-smuggling enforcement.
Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes), CBIC · Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) · 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
- Office hours in most charges; shifts or odd hours in customs and intelligence postings
- Probation
- 2 years, including training at NACIN, Palasamudram (Andhra Pradesh)
Estimated in-hand / month
₹97,054
Gross ₹1,06,740 · CTC ≈ ₹14.3 lakh/yr
Where are you posted?
IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes) · 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
- Heading a GST division: audit, refunds, adjudication and anti-evasion
- Assessing and clearing import and export cargo at ports and airports
- Leading intelligence and anti-smuggling operations (DRI, DGGI)
- Adjudicating show-cause notices and defending orders in appeal
- Supervising superintendents, inspectors and appraisers
A typical day
In a GST division you sign off refunds, review audit findings, hear taxpayers in adjudication and write orders. At a custom house you oversee appraising groups and deal with importers' representations on valuation and classification. Intelligence postings involve developing cases against gold or drug smuggling and tax fraud, with operations at odd hours. March brings revenue target pressure everywhere.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes) (joining)
Pay Level 10
₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-hand
Deputy Commissioner
After 4 years · Level 11 · via dpc
₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand
Joint Commissioner
After 9 years · Level 12 · via dpc
₹1,16,000–₹1,34,000 in-hand
Additional Commissioner
After 13–14 years · Level 13 · via dpc
₹1,66,000–₹1,87,000 in-hand
Commissioner / Principal Commissioner
After 18–25 years · Level 14 · via dpc
₹1,88,000–₹2,12,000 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 in any discipline 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
- Variety: tax administration, trade facilitation and enforcement
- Mostly city postings
- Chances of deputation to agencies and overseas customs posts
The hard parts
- Revenue targets and litigation load
- Slow promotion at senior levels
- Some customs postings are at remote land borders
Postings
All-India. GST formations are in cities and towns across the country; customs postings are at ports, airports and land borders. Transfers come every few years.
Questions people ask
What is the in-hand salary of IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes)?+
IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes) 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 IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes)?+
Bachelor's degree in any discipline 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 IRS Officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes)?+
UPSC CSE (Union Public Service Commission).
Is a uniform worn?+
A uniform is prescribed and used mainly in customs formations and on ceremonial occasions.
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.
Inspector (Central Excise / CGST)
निरीक्षक (केंद्रीय उत्पाद शुल्क / सीजीएसटी)
Pay Level 7 post in CBIC via SSC CGL — GST audit, anti-evasion and compliance work in a central GST zone.
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.
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
- UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice (official PDF)
- Union Public Service Commission — official website
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.