For anybody hoping to advance to a significant position in administration in India, being a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) is an impressive goal to pursue. Thousands of young people every year choose to be an SDM after completing their graduation, but don’t have much idea of how to become one. For such aspirants, here we will tell you about how to become SDM in India, how much an SDM salary is, and what the qualifications, tasks, and responsibilities are.
SDM stands for Sub-divisional Magistrate. If the lower officer is compared with the district-level officer, the SDM ranks below district-level authorities. The powers of the SDM are equivalent to the powers given to the district collector and magistrate.
SDMs are considered the senior officers in the civil service of the state, in the presence of the required service experience as a junior or subordinate member of the Indian Administrative Service.
Overview SDM Full Form
Sub-Divisional Magistrate is the full form of the SDM. In India, SDMs are among the chief administrative officers who look after a subdivision that forms part of a district. It entails representing the government in multiple capacities, like maintaining law and order, tax collection, and enforcement of laws.
SDM officers are considered very critical in the administration of the districts, considering they have executive, magisterial, and revenue powers.
Roles and Responsibilities of an SDM Officer
If you consider the above functions, an SDM carries out a wide array of responsibilities that range from maintaining law and order to supervising development projects within their remit. A few of the core points about the duties, roles, and responsibilities of the SDM are as follows:
- Revenue Collection: Guaranteeing accurate collection thereof from all sources.
- Law and Order: Controlling the police so that the general public’s safety is ensured.
- Disaster Management: Managing assistance and rehabilitation during disasters.
- Public Works Regulation: Granting permits for building, among other regulatory activities.
- Elections and Census: Managing the conduct of elections and the census.
An SDM has to continue to take an active role in governance and crisis management to achieve their responsibilities.
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Minimum Requirements and Qualifications to Become SDM in India
Every applicant who wants to become an SDM officer must fulfill the qualifying requirements to learn how to become SDM in India:
- Education Requirement: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Age: The age range for UPSC is often 21–32 years old, whereas it varies for State PCS.
- Physical and Mental Fitness: The commission has specified some fitness requirements that candidates must fulfill.
- Nationality: The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Attempts: The number of tries is 6 for General Category, 9 for other Backward Classes, and unlimited for SC/ST.
| Age Relaxation | |
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) | Up to 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | Up to 3 years |
| Defence Services Personnel (disabled during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence) | Up to 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen, including commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs with at least 5 years of military service as of August 2024, who have been released | Up to 5 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Blindness and Low Vision, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Locomotor Disability (including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, and Muscular Dystrophy), Autism, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities (including deaf-blindness) | Up to 10 years |
How to Become SDM in India?
Candidates must follow a set of clearly defined stages to become an SDM in India, which include finishing their schooling, selecting the appropriate competitive test, fulfilling eligibility conditions, and putting in a lot of preparation.
Step 1: Finish Your Schooling
Aspiring students should seek a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited university after completing the 12th grade. One of the fundamental requirements for taking the PCS or UPSC examinations is having this degree.
Step 2: Select the Appropriate Test
Candidates can take the State PCS Exam or the UPSC Civil Services Exam to become an SDM. State PCS examinations directly appoint SDMs in several states, but UPSC hires SDMs indirectly (candidates often become SDMs after working as IAS officers).
Step 3: Comprehend the Eligibility Standards
Candidates must fulfill specific requirements to be eligible, such as:
- Age Limit: Typically, UPSC applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 32; however, SC/ST and OBC candidates may be exempt.
- Educational Requirement: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any area.
Step 4: Get Ready for the Test
There are three phases to the UPSC and PCS exams:
- Preliminary exam: Objective-style questions on general studies and aptitude make up the preliminary exam.
- Main Exam: Written test covering political science, geography, history, and other electives.
- Interview/Personality Test: Personality characteristics, problem-solving abilities, and situational reactions are the main topics of the interview and personality test.
Clear the Selection Process in Step Five
Candidates must pass the test at every level in order to become an SDM. For individuals hoping to eventually assume the position through IAS, the selection process for SDM includes achieving a high rank in the PCS or UPSC exams.
Step 6: State PCS Route for Appointment with Direct SDM
Through its PCS examinations, some Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, directly hire SDMs. After training, a straight assignment as an SDM may result from passing the State PCS test.
How to Become SDM in India for Female Candidates?
Equal opportunities and support systems are provided, and the qualifications and process are the same for female candidates. In order to promote women’s involvement in administration, some states provide reservation advantages. Women are encouraged to sit for the UPSC and PCS examinations, and several of them have done well in recent years, becoming recognized SDMs.
What is the Salary of an SDM in India?
The 7th Central Pay Commission states that, excluding other benefits like DA, HRA, and TA, the SDM salary in India is categorized as pay level 10, with an initial salary of Rs. 56,100 and a maximum salary of Rs. 1,32,000. Depending on the city of posting and other variables, the monthly in-hand SDM pay ranges from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 80,000 in addition to these benefits.
Perks and Benefits of SDM Salary
- Government Residence
- Security
- Official Vehicles
- Medical Facilities
- Study Leave
- Post-Retirement Benefits
- Unofficial Perks
Components of SDM Salary
The SDM salary in India consists of these components:
- Basic Pay: Starting at Rs. 56,100.
- Grade Pay: Rs. 5,400.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Adjusted biannually based on inflation. For example, DA is 38% in Uttar Pradesh.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA):
- Class X (Metro cities): 24%
- Class Y (Tier 2 cities): 16%
- Class Z (Rural areas): 8%
- Transport Allowance (TA):
- X cities: Rs. 7,600
- Y cities: Rs. 6,400
- Z cities: Rs. 5,200
- Other Allowances: Medical allowance, electricity bills, phone bills, etc.
FAQs
1) What is the SDM Salary in India?
As per the 7th Pay Commission, the initial salary of an SDM in India is Rs. 56,100.
2) What is the UP SDM Salary?
The UP SDM salary is Rs. 56,100 at an early level and can earn up to Rs. 90,000 with allowances.
3) What is SDM Salary Bihar?
The SDM salary Bihar ranges between Rs. 61,500 and Rs. 75,000, including allowances.
4) What is SDM Salary in Delhi?
Depending on location and allowances, the starting gross salary ranges from INR 80,000 to INR 90,000 per month.