Government jobs always have been regarded as the highest prestige in India, offering stability and security while providing an attractive salary package to the individual holding such a post. They have become a sort of aspirational career goals for people. As reported by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, about 28% of India’s working population prefers government jobs over private-sector roles due to job security and better retirement benefits.
The appeal of government jobs is further highlighted by the fact that over 1.5 crore candidates apply for various government competitive exams every year. From policymaking, public administration to law enforcement, tax & revenue, engineering, and scientific research, there are some of the highest paying government jobs offered from the numerous sectors.
Top 15 Highest Paying Government Jobs in India with Salary
The Indian government offers a variety of highest paying job opportunities to citizens at the state and central levels, but with different educational backgrounds. However, several government job positions go beyond the standard perks and high salaries; they come up with significant responsibilities and influential roles.
Also, the best government jobs in india bestow not only social prestige but also bring the opportunity to help frame national policies and contribute to the development of the country. Below is a list of some of the highest paid government jobs in India with salaries that are highly sought after across the country.
| Category | Job Title | Estimated Salary in INR
(per month) |
| 1. Indian Civil Services | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | 1,00,000 – 2,50,000 |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | 56,100 – 2,25,000 | |
| Indian Revenue Service (IRS) | 56,100 – 2,15,000 | |
| Indian Engineering Services (IES) | 56,100 – 2,25,000 | |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | 56,100 – 2,25,000 | |
| Indian Forest Service (IFoS) | 56,100 – 2,25,000 | |
| Indian Statistical Service (ISS) | 56,100 – 1,77,500 | |
| 2. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) | Officer in Maharatna | 24,900 – 1,80,000 |
| Officer in Navratna | 20,600 – 1,80,000 | |
| 3. Government Banks | Bank PO (Probationary Officer) | 52,000 – 57,000 |
| 4. Research Organizations | Scientists in DRDO | 56,100 – 1,00,000 |
| Scientists in ISRO | 56,100 – 80,000 | |
| 5. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | Assistant Section Officer in the Ministry of External Affairs | 44,900 – 1,42,400 |
| 6. Government College Lecturers | Associate Professor/Assistant Professor/Professor/Lecturer at State/Central Universities | 57,700 – 2,24,100 |
| 7. Staff Selection Commission (SSC) | Various Pay Level | 25,500 – 1,51,100 |
| 8. Indian Railway | Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) Group ‘A’ | 56,000 – 1,77,500 |
| 9. Judiciary | RRB JE | Around INR 2,50,000 |
| Chief Justice of India | Around INR 2,80,000 | |
| 10. Healthcare | Government Doctor | 30,000 – 70,000 |
| 11. Indian Army | Lieutenant | INR 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| 12. Indian Navy | Submarine Engineer Officer (Indian Navy) | INR 50,000 – 85,000 |
| Sub Lieutenant | 56,100 – 1,77,500 | |
| 13. Indian Air Force | Flying Branch Officers | Around INR 85,372 |
| 14. RBI | RBI Grade B Officer | 55,200 – 1,22,717 |
| 15. SEBI | SEBI Grade A Officers | 1,06,000 – 1,49,500 |
How to Get High-Paying Government Jobs? – Tips
Getting a high-salary government job is not easy and requires strategic preparation; these positions come with difficult entry exams. Understanding the syllabus, thorough study, and practice through mock tests are necessary steps. Coaching centers often provide expert guidance and resources tailored to exams like the UPSC, RBI Grade B, and GATE. Also, one must be aware of current affairs and enhance their skills related to making decisions. Candidates require a focused approach, because these exams are highly competitive; only a small percentage of applicants pass the exams every year.
The above list summarizes various categories of the highest paid government jobs in India. Now, let us discuss a few of them one by one in detail:
Top Highest Paying Government Jobs in India with Salary
1. Indian Civil Services – IAS, IPS, IFS, and IFoS
Civil services are regarded as one of the toughest exams in India and draw the maximum number of applicants. The exam will enable a candidate to join one of the groups of services like Indian Administrative Services [IAS], Indian Police Services [IPS], Indian Revenue Service [IRS], Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Forest Service (IFoS), Indian Statistical Service (ISS), Indian Engineering Services (IES), among others.
Candidates have to cover a wide UPSC Syllabus to crack these exams and pass the UPSC Exams. The State Services examinations like MPPSC, MPSC, etc, filling state-level administrative positions are also high paid with more benefits. Those who want to continue in the field of Engineering can sit for one of the toughest exams in the world, the IES Exam besides the civil services exam. With the starting pay-scale of around INR 56,100 to 2,25,000, it has made its way into our list of powerful government jobs in India.
Preparation Tips for Indian Civil Services Exams
With these concise and focused strategies, you can increase your chances of securing top-tier civil service jobs in India.
- Understand the Exam Structure:
Familiarize yourself with the three stages: Prelims (objective), Mains (descriptive), and Interview (personality test). Meet eligibility criteria, including age and education.
- Choose the Right Optional Subject:
Pick an optional subject that matches your class background or interest. Previous trends and success rates can be analyzed for the right choice.
- Master Prelims GS Syllabus:
Use NCERTs for static topics like History and Polity and dynamic topics such as through The Hindu and government reports.
- Practice Answer and Essay Writing:
Join a Mains test series, shape structured answers, and substantiate arguments with data and diagrams from authenticated sources. Practice essays on miscellaneous topics and integrate case studies, constitutional provisions, and recent developments.
- Prepare for Physical Fitness (IPS/IFoS):
Regular exercise to meet the UPSC physical standards and mitigate any medical conditions at an early stage.
- Specialized Prep for IFS:
He will study international relations and India’s foreign policy along with preparing the IFS Exam Syllabus. He will practice mastering a foreign language to add proficiency.
- The Interview:
Prepare a brief self-introduction and keep current with current affairs. Prepare mock interviews for perfecting responses.
2. Public Sector Undertakings (PSU)
A number of Indian government owned enterprises like Indian Oil Corporation, ONGC, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and NTPC, among others, remain counted among the top-paying government jobs in India. The Highest Paying Government Job in PSU is around INR 24,900 – 1,80,000 per month.
This means that the amount paid to employees consists of basic salary, allowance, insurance benefits, transport and conveyance and a host of other benefits. Besides, the attractive bands of promotion, retirement schemes, etc make working in public sector undertakings a lucrative option.
3. Government Banks – Bank PO
From working as a branch manager or bank PO at government banks, the public sector banking institutions have established themselves as household names for the highest-paying government jobs in India.
Bank PO (Probationary Officer)
The competition to become a Bank PO, one of the highest entry-level designations in the banking sector, attracts lakhs of individuals each year. The benefits alone are enough to persuade job seekers to choose this field, from medical to rent to miscellaneous travel. As a Bank PO, you’ll supervise employees, manage cash flow, and deal with client complaints and inquiries, among other things.
The starting salary for a Bank PO in Indian government banks is about INR 52,000 to 57,000 per month. With experience and training, the bank PO may get promoted as a bank manager and receive an increment in the salary.
4. Research Organisations – Scientists in DRDO and ISRO
The Indian public sector unit has several research organizations, not limited to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), DRDO, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, etc., which offers very great growth possibilities for those who want to build a career in research.
A professional Scientist in DRDO or ISRO can expect a salary of around INR 56,100 to 1,00,000 per month along with many other benefits and the opportunity to work with the latest technology and tools. Even non-technical jobs like Administrative Assistant, Stenographer, Security Assistant and Clerk carry a high remuneration package.
5. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
The Assistant Section Officer(ASO) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is a Group’ B’ position with attractive compensation, travel benefits, and housing allowances (amount per the city where you are posted). Besides, since you will be traveling with an IFS Officer, you will also get to stay in another country. It makes it one of the best paid government jobs in India. On average, a starting Assistant Section Officer at MoEA draws an average of around INR 44,900 to 1,42,400 per month.
6. Government College Lecturers
If you want to enter academics, getting a professorship/lectureship at a government university, be it central or a state is surely an attractive option. Not only is it one of the highest paying government jobs in India, with flexible timings and the opportunity to work in the conducive research ambience of a university, but it also makes for a worthy career pathway. The rewards are parallelly high for those who hold a PhD degree and several years of experience working in an academic capacity.
As a University Professor, one would expect to get in the Pay Band of INR 57,700 to 2,24,100 including allowances that is the highest paying government job in India. Read or guide on How to Become a Professor and understand the process of working in one of the highest-paying government jobs in India.
Do Check Out:
- How to Apply for Assistant Professor in Delhi University?
- How to Become a Government Teacher After 12th
- How to Become a Professor?
- Can UGC NET Qualified Teach in School?
7. Indian Railway Service
IRPS stands for Indian Railway Services, which is an essential part of India’s transportation network, connecting a huge population of this country. If you are passionate about railways and want to get the highest paying government job in railway, a career as an officer in IRPS could be the best pick for you! You will be able to hire, train, promote, and even demote employees!. You will also be able to track the welfare of close to 1.4 million employees. Housing and travel allowances, as well as medical care and a pension, are all included in the benefits package.
The Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) Group ‘A’ offers a salary range of INR 56,000 to 1,77,500, while the RRB Junior Engineer (JE) positions provide salaries between INR 42,000 and 54,126. Both roles play a crucial part in ensuring the smooth operation of India’s vast railway network.
8. Government Doctor
Why not become a government doctor if you wish to have a government career in the medical world? Upon retirement, there are pension rewards, salary compensation, maternity and paternity leaves, paid time off when needed, and vacation times, among other benefits.
9. Defence Services
This can be one of the highest paying jobs in India govt positions if one is patriotic and adventuresome; there are still fresher, alongside experienced contestants fighting for such an opportunity. A Lieutenant enjoys his benefits – including free rations, lodging, children’s education allowance, maintenance allowance, and retirement pension.
Indian Army
The Indian Army is a tough and dedicated force that guards the country’s borders, maintains peace, and serves the nation by loyalty and courage. The LTG officers in the Indian Army very significantly served as junior commissioned officers, which was the first line of leadership. The basic average salary of a Lieutenant is around INR 68,000 per month, which clearly shows that it is one of the most highest-paid government jobs in the Indian army.
Indian Air Force
It is a bold and forceful force that guards our skies with dedication and finesse. Flying Branch Officers in the Indian Air Force are responsible for flying and maintaining a variety of aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and transport planes. These officers receive specialized training and enjoy good salaries, which is around INR 85,372 plus facilities such as accommodation, medicines, and travelling allowance. The position demands courage, discipline, and technical know-how. As such, it is one of the most sought-after careers in the defence sector.
Indian Navy
Joining the Indian Navy’s ‘Submarine Arm’ is one of the most exciting professional paths. You will get a chance to explore and venture into uncharted waters. You will have the opportunity to pursue higher education at prominent Indian schools like IIT or NIT, or even abroad. Submarine Engineer Officer stands on our list of the highest government paying jobs in India after graduation, with an average beginning salary between INR 50,000 and INR 85,000.
10. RBI
The Grade-B officer in the Reserve Bank of India is paid an average salary ranging from INR 55,200 to 1,22,717 per month inclusive of basic pay [INR 35,150/month], Local allowance, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Family Allowance, and Grade Allowance. Grade-B officer is the highest paying government Job in RBI.
Eligibility Criteria For the Highest Paying Govt. Jobs in India
Elapsed time to get a good-paying government job in India means that one has to meet eligibility criteria. Though the criteria are clear, getting the job is not easy because of the number of applicants and that there are limited openings. Here is a brief description of eligibility criteria for getting government jobs:
Educational Qualifications: Many entry-level government jobs accept candidates with a 12th-grade education, especially for clerical and policy positions. However, most government jobs require a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university, with fields like civil services, engineering, and management often leading to higher-paying roles. Additionally, some high-level positions in the Indian Government Service may necessitate a master’s degree.
The age group is from 18 to 35 years with relaxation in case of SC/ST and OBC candidates.
Competitive Exams: The major method of selection to most government jobs in India is through competitive exams that could include two or more testing levels. For example, civil service roles require one to pass exams from the UPSC, and there are others with SSC or even banking exams for other posts, and also in the states’ positions where an individual should clear exams offered by the particular authorities of a specific state.
Work Experience: The relevant work experience is required to be eligible for some high paid government jobs that are specialized in nature.
Physical Standards: Specific physical and medical standards may also be required while applying for certain government jobs for defence and police.
Skills and Aptitude: These are important criteria for applicants while appearing in written exams or interviews, there may be some requirements of skill in management and problem-solving communication.
Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen or fulfill any other nationality-specific requirements for such posts.
Understanding these criteria can help candidates prepare effectively for high-paying government jobs in India.
Preparation Tips to Get Highest Paying Government Jobs in India
As of now, it is a really tough job to get a government job as there are a lot of aspirants competing for the available positions in Indian government sectors. In this regard, you are at an increased chance if you follow proper strategies. Here are some useful tips while aiming at a government job:
Stay updated on government job vacancies by subscribing to various job portals and newsletters, ensuring you never miss important dates like exam notifications and vacancy announcements.
- Prepare early. If you really want a job in the government at any level, preparation for such will serve you a cut above the rest of the people vying for that spot. You would understand concepts at much deeper levels; thus, making it much easier to answer, even in hard or weird question presentation forms.
- Focus on Specific Exams: Choose jobs that interest you and match your skills. And then begin your preparations, you could also opt to join a coaching center for preparing exams.
- Look out for Less Popular Roles: The government roles attract fewer applicants or have rolling vacancies, through which the chances of getting chosen increase.
- Take Mock Tests: It makes you familiar with the format of the exam, question asking style, and boosts your confidence. They expose you to different types of questions on the same topic, making you understand how questions can be framed in different ways. Therefore, plan a study and mock test schedule accordingly and stick to it.
- Organize Your Papers: Many top-paid government jobs in India demand a myriad of documents such as mark sheets, graduation certificates, caste certificates, physical fitness certificates, and much more. Ensure that you have all these, organized in the following manner. Take out photocopies and self-attest all the documents before.
- Improve Communication Skills: Good communication skills will be very vital to clear the stages like group discussions, and personal interviews. By practicing, you will perform well during these rounds.
Prospective examinees must consider that though the above-mentioned professions are amongst the highest-paying government jobs in India, gaining entry and selection is parallelly break-neck competitive, demanding and gruelling. Only with the right guidance, study plans and unique tips, one can make efforts count.
FAQs
- Who is the highest-paid govt employee?
Ans: The Honourable President is the top-drawing government employee in India. His salary drawn per month is around INR 500,000, which is definitely the highest when compared among the entire hierarchy of government employees.
- How does one apply for high-paying government jobs in India?
Ans: High-paying government jobs are applied for normally through clearing competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services Exam, RBI Grade B, or PSU recruitment tests like GATE for the engineering field. Preparation typically involves understanding the exam pattern, focusing on subjects specific to the job, and thorough training or coaching. Different types of jobs require different application processes, and for getting one of these highly-sought jobs, preparation for the examination phase is essential.
- Which qualifications are needed for high paying government jobs?
Ans: For each job type, the requirements are different. For IAS or IPS position, the qualification required is to be a graduate and clear UPSC exam. For RBI Grade B Officer posts, a finance, economics, or related field background is an added advantage. Engineering positions in PSUs may require a B.Tech or equivalent, while some positions in ISRO and DRDO might require advanced degrees in science or engineering. Overall, the minimum educational qualification for government jobs is a bachelor’s degree, though further specialization would be an added advantage.
- Do government jobs have benefits other than salary?
Ans: Yes, high paying government jobs offer a lot more than just a pay scale. The benefits range from housing allowances, travel allowances, health insurance, pension schemes, and lifetime job security. Some jobs even offer free education for children, subsidized groceries, and retirement benefits, such as in the armed forces. All these perks make government jobs in India a stable and attractive career option, especially in the long term.
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