The civil service profession is attractive to many young people in the country, not only because of the pride and honor associated with it but also due to the IAS salary and benefits that accompany the role's responsibilities and powers. The starting basic monthly salary for an IAS officer is Rs.56,100 (excluding TA, DA, and HRA), which can increase up to Rs.2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. Consequently, a career in the Indian Administrative Service is highly sought-after in India. To prepare effectively for the civil service exam, it is essential to go through this informative article, which includes details on the wealthiest IAS officers in India and the source of their assets.

The list of the wealthiest IAS officers includes individuals who have used their expertise and connections to supplement their steady salary and various perks. While IAS officers are prohibited from personally engaging in business activities, some have found ways to advise their acquaintances and family members and generate a steady stream of income. However, it's important to note that corruption in the bureaucracy has also contributed to some IAS officers making it to the top 10 richest list.

Amit Kataria, The IAS Officer Who Takes Only INR 1 as Salary

Amit Kataria is widely recognized as one of the wealthiest bureaucrats in India, despite drawing a nominal salary of INR 1. His family is engaged in the construction business in Gurgaon, and his wife, who is a professional pilot, earns handsomely, allowing them to lead a comfortable life. When asked about his meager salary, Amit Kataria stated that he joined the IAS to create positive change in the system and not to amass wealth. He is among the few upright officers who remain dedicated to serving the nation honestly.

Babulal Agrawal

 In 2011, Babulal Agrawal, a 45-year-old IAS officer, appeared to be India's wealthiest bureaucrat with assets worth Rs. 253 crore, according to a 5,000-page report submitted to the Chhattisgarh government by the Bhopal-based Income Tax department. Agrawal cleared the Civil Services Exam on his first attempt at the age of 22 and built a fortune of Rs. 253 crore, as per the report.

Joshi Couple

The media has extensively covered the case of the Joshi couple based in Bhopal. Arvind Joshi was the principal secretary of Water Resources, while his wife Tinoo was the head of the Women and Child Development department. They hold the record for being the wealthiest IAS couple.

List of Other IAS Officers having Sky High Net Worths

• S. Malaichamy
• Nitish Janardhan Thakur
• Neera Yadav
• T. O. Suraj
• Rakesh Bahadur
• Subhash Ahluwalia

In conclusion, although the idea of making a change and challenging the system may seem attractive, it is not an easy task. The lure of power and benefits can cause even the most honest individuals to become greedy or discouraged, leading them to resort to corrupt practices for easy gains. Therefore, joining the civil service is not as challenging as remaining committed to serving the country with integrity. This profession requires great courage and dedication. To prepare for the UPSC examination, it is important to visit the UPSC Pathshala website for effective practice and to ensure success in civil service preparation.