Kolkata: The West Bengal government has announced a comprehensive revision of benefits available to IAS officers of the state cadre, raising monthly allowances for senior bureaucrats and extending financial assistance for education, housing and official work-related expenses.
The provisions were detailed in memoranda issued by the state’s Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department on November 6, 2026. The package covers serving officers across different ranks, newly inducted IAS officers and certain retired officers residing in the state.
Among the major changes is a 50% increase in the sumptuary allowance for senior officials, with Additional Chief Secretaries (ACS) now eligible for up to ₹80,000 per month under the revised structure.
Senior IAS Officers to Get Higher Monthly Allowances
The revised provisions increase the sumptuary allowance — meant to meet hospitality and entertainment-related expenses — for senior IAS officers.
The new monthly ceilings are:
- Secretary: ₹60,000
- Principal Secretary: ₹70,000
- Additional Chief Secretary: ₹80,000
The increase is expected to benefit more than 50 senior officials in the state.
IAS officers below the rank of Secretary and posted in Kolkata will also receive a monthly sumptuary allowance of ₹15,000. This amount will be reviewed once every three years.
Education Loans of Up to ₹50 Lakh for Children’s Studies
The government has extended an education-loan facility of up to ₹50 lakh to IAS officers for meeting expenses related to their children’s education.
The facility covers education in India as well as overseas, including boarding-school expenses. The provision is intended to address the rising cost of education and the growing availability of hybrid academic programmes involving international institutions.
The benefit is applicable to the state’s 300-plus IAS officers, according to reports on the November 6 memorandum.
Housing and Electricity Reimbursement
The revised package also provides financial support for housing and camp-office expenses.
Key provisions include:
- House rent reimbursement: IAS officers below Secretary rank posted in Kolkata can claim reimbursement of up to ₹60,000 per month, provided they are not allotted government accommodation and are not drawing House Rent Allowance (HRA).
- Periodic revision: The house-rent reimbursement ceiling will increase by 20% every three years.
- Electricity expenses: Officers at Secretary rank and above will be eligible for reimbursement of electricity charges for consumption of up to 500 units per month towards their camp-office requirements.
- Camp-office support: Officers below Secretary rank posted at the headquarters will also be entitled to one camp-office attendant.
Expanded LTC Benefits for Foreign Travel
The West Bengal government has widened the scope of Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for IAS officers of the state cadre.
Under the revised provisions, officers will be allowed to travel to specified foreign destinations once during a four-year block.
The destinations include:
- Southeast Asian countries
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal and Bhutan
- Bangladesh
- Dubai
- Maldives
- Mauritius
However, the admissible fare will be capped at the fare applicable for travel to the farthest destination within India. This means the expanded facility does not provide unlimited reimbursement for international travel.
₹10,000 Monthly Support for Official Knowledge Tools
The government has also introduced a monthly provision of ₹10,000 for every IAS officer towards knowledge tools required for official work.
The amount will be available on the basis of self-certification by the concerned officer.
Newly inducted IAS officers joining the West Bengal cadre will receive a separate starter package for their official work requirements. It will include:
- One laptop
- One desktop computer
- One printer
The total expenditure on this starter package will be capped at ₹2 lakh.
Benefits Extended to Retired IAS Officers
The revised provisions also cover IAS officers who have retired at the apex scale and are residing in West Bengal.
They will be entitled to:
- Two attendants for assistance.
- A monthly internet allowance of ₹5,000.
The provision adds to the post-retirement support available to senior officers who have served in the state cadre.
A Wider Revision of Bureaucratic Service Benefits
The latest package covers several aspects of an IAS officer’s professional and personal requirements, ranging from hospitality and housing expenses to children’s education and official equipment.
The revision follows the earlier enhancement of sumptuary allowances introduced by the previous West Bengal government in November 2021.
With the latest changes, the state has expanded the financial and logistical support available to its IAS officers across different stages of service, including after retirement.
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