Indian Revenue Service
Civil servant administering India's tax laws under the CBDT or the CBIC.
Overview
An Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Officer is a civil servant in India responsible for administering and managing the country's tax laws. They work under the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) or Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), depending on their specific role.
Where they work
- Income Tax offices throughout India
- Other tax collection related offices in Central Government and State Government offices
Work environment
You will be working in an office set-up. You will handle a team of officials. Local travel is likely to be a part of the job profile. It is a transferrable job. You are likely to work 5 to 6 days a week and 8 to 9 hours every day.
Opportunities for differently abled exist in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are an ambitious person.
- You like trying to help people solve their problems.
- You are quick to take on new responsibilities.
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
- 1No specific certification is required.
- 2A diploma in fields like Public Administration, Finance, or Taxation can provide helpful insights into administrative functions and financial systems. Though not mandatory, such diplomas can add value.
- 3A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university is mandatory to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
- 4While not required, a Master's degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Finance, Taxation, or Law can deepen your knowledge and be advantageous during service.
Forms, exams and applications
Entry is through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. A bachelor's degree in any discipline is the only mandatory qualification. Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
- National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Chanakya IAS Academy, multiple locations in India
- Vajiram and Ravi IAS Institute, New Delhi
- Drishti IAS Academy, New Delhi
- ALS IAS Coaching, multiple locations in India
- Vision IAS, multiple locations in India
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax
- 2Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax
- 3Joint Commissioner of Income Tax
- 4Additional Commissioner of Income Tax
- 5Commissioner of Income Tax
- 6Principal Commissioner of Income Tax
- 7Chief Commissioner of Income Tax
- 8Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax
Expected income
₹56,100 – ₹2,25,000 per month or more
This is the approximate salary of an IRS officer. The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Customs Officer
Government official who regulates goods entering or leaving the country and enforces customs law.
Inspector of Income Tax
Income Tax Department official who enforces tax law, detects evasion and ensures fair tax payment.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Commerce.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to public service.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Nitin Gupta — Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Nitin Gupta is currently the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. Gupta belongs to the 1986 batch of the Income Tax cadre. He has a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 595 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.studyiq.com/articles/irs-salary/
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.