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| The most senior and distinguished IAS officer gets the opportunity to become the Chief Secretary of State in India. In the Indian order of precedence, he is ranked 23rd and considered the most senior civil executive in the state. The Chief Minister of the State coordinates and manages the Chief Secretary in India. Chief Secretary reports to the Chief Minister of Indian state. He has state level jurisdiction as he is appointed by the state government. He enjoys the competitive salary scale when it comes to the pay level. His basic salary is ₹2,25,000/month. |
As a senior Indian Administrative Service officer, the Chief Secretary is the main advisor to the chief minister on all issues and matters of state administration. The Chief Secretary serves as the secretary for the state cabinet and is often referred to as the Secretary to the Cabinet. This role has the same level of importance as a Secretary to the Government of India.
Chief Secretary is:
- State Civil Services Board- Ex-officio head
- State Secretariat- Ex-officio head
- The state cadre of Indian Administrative Service (IAS)- Ex-officio head
and all Civil Services of India work under the rules of business of the state government.
The Chief Secretary is typically the highest-ranking IAS officer from the oldest batch in the state. The Chief Minister approves who takes the job, usually based on how capable the person is and their level of trust with the Chief Minister.
Read: IAS Starting Salary, Salary After 5 Years, 10 Years, 20 Years, 30 Years
| Note: The maximum salary that an IAS officer can get is INR 250,000 per month. This salary is enjoyed only by the Cabinet Secretary. In the Indian Administrative Service, it is the highest post. |
Stay Updated: Cabinet Secretary Salary 2025(Highest IAS Post in India)
Chief Secretary Post Highlights
The important details related to this highest IAS post in the state is tabulated below:
Short Form | CS |
Status | Head of Permanent Executive |
Cabinet Secretary( Membership) |
|
Reports to | Governor of the State, Chief Minister of the State, State Cabinet, State Legislative Assembly |
Seat | State Secretariat |
Appointed by | Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) (highest-ranking IAS officer) |
Term of office | Not fixed. However, his term may be extended. |
This position is typically held by an IAS officer at the Chief Secretary level, which is the top pay scale for IAS officers in the state.
Hierarchy (Top Administrative Posts in a State)
Chief Secretary is deemed to be 'a linchpin' in the administration. Additional Chief Secretaries or Special Chief Secretaries, depending on the state, and Principal Secretaries, who are the administrative heads of departments they are assigned to help and assist the Chief Secretary of the state to perform his duties efficiently.
To simplify things,
- The Chief Secretary is at the top of this ladder who is the most experienced and senior-most IAS officer.
- Additional Chief Secretaries are departmental heads who report to Chief Secretary.
- Principal Secretaries / Secretaries are in charge of specific areas like Health, Education, Finance, etc.
- Divisional Commissioners are in charge of divisions of the state.
- District Collectors / District Magistrates are in charge of district-level administration.
Check More: Deputy Collector Salary
Appointment and Rank of the Chief Secretary
- It is a convention that the most experienced and senior-most IAS officer in the state becomes the Chief Secretary, barring a few exceptions.
- The state's Chief Minister chooses and decides the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Secretary.
- State Chief Secretaries are IAS officers generally equivalent in rank to a Secretary to Government of India.
- The Chief Secretary of a State Government is like a senior three-star officer in the military, similar to a Lieutenant General or someone at the vice chief of staff level in the Indian Armed Forces. They're recognized in the Order of Precedence just like those military ranks.
Salary of the Chief Secretary in a State (India)
Salary of the highest IAS post in the state is tabulated below:
Compare with: IPS Officer Salary
Powers and Functions of Highest IAS Post of State (Chief Secretary)
The highest IAS post in the state (Chief Secretary of India) enjoys immense powers. He is the head of the State Secretariat and the main official for administration. He is the official head of administration and coordinates with the State Council of Ministers. More details are mentioned below;
- He works as the principal coordinator and administrative manager of the state government.
- Working as the chairman of the State Civil Services Board, he gives suggestion for the posts of secretary, additional secretary and joint secretary.
- To the Appointments Committee of the State, he sends his suggestions and recommendations for the postings of officers of the rank of secretary and additional Secretary.
- He is a member of the Senior Selection Board, which gives suggestions for postings of officers of the rank of joint secretary in the state Government to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- He also has advisory powers. He gives advice to the CM of the State.
- He supports State Council of Ministers so that they can perform duties efficiently.
- He prepares the main highlights of the state cabinet meetings and decides its agenda.
- During crises, he is the balancing wheel who provides stable leadership support.
Complete List of Current Chief Secretaries in the States of India(2025)
The list is tabulated below with batch.
Do Union Territories also have Chief Secretaries?
There is no Chief Secretary when it comes to Union Territories. Union Territories are administered by Administrators. In these territories, Union Government appoints an advisers to the Administrator.
The union territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry have some limited level of statehood, so they do have Chief Secretaries. In these places, the Chief Minister picks the Chief Secretary, but it's the Lieutenant Governor who actually appoints them. Chief Secretaries and Advisers in these territories are usually lower in rank than those in full states. They typically hold the position of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or similar roles. In contrast, in Delhi and Chandigarh, the top civil servant is usually a Secretary or Additional Secretary to the Government of India or someone in a similar position.
Complete List of current Chief Secretaries/Advisor to Administrators of Union territories
The list is tabulated below with batch.
