Do you have a vision of a better India? Do you believe that if you held a high-ranking position in the government, you could better enforce law and order? If you answered yes, you have the mindset to become a District Magistrate (DM).
District Administration refers to the management of government tasks within a legally recognized district. A D.M. is an Indian chief in charge of the general administration of a specific district. India has 773 districts, each of which is led by a D.M. The duties of a district magistrate differ from state to state.
Do you aspire to be a District Magistrate or are you just exploring the field? In either case, you’ve come to the right place! This blog discusses the skills required, colleges and courses, salary, and what else it takes to become a District Magistrate. Follow the step-by-step guide in the blog about how to become a District Magistrate.
A District Magistrate, abbreviated as DM, is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who serves as the senior-most executive magistrate of a district in India. A D.M. is a chief in charge of the general administration of an Indian district.
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Students from any stream can become district magistrates. However, subjects in the arts stream such as history, political science, and public administration are considered more appropriate for the UPSC exam due to their relevance to the majority of the syllabus.
To become a DM, a candidate must first pass the UPSC-CSE exam and be appointed as an IAS officer. A candidate can become a DM after serving as an IAS officer for 6 years, including 2 years of training. To become a DM, the candidate must be at the top of the IAS Officer rank list. Students must also hold a bachelor’s degree in any field.
How to become a District Magistrate (DM) after 10th?
Reading can help you a long way in your preparation to become a DM. Regardless of time constraints, continue to read every day. Quality articles will be published in newspapers such as the Hindu and the Indian Express. Give editorials and op-ed pieces prominence.
In terms of magazines, EPW is a good place to get current perspectives. Read Yojana and Kurukshetra to gain a better understanding of government schemes and initiatives.
How to become a District Magistrate (DM) after 12th?
After 12th, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Political Science, or Sociology will be a good choice for aspirants because these subjects introduce candidates to the various mechanisms of administration and such understanding will be a great skill to have for any future administrator. Students are advised to check the university websites because entrance exams vary by college. Furthermore, regardless of the type of bachelor’s degree, any student can become a DM.
| Course | Duration |
| BA Public Administration | 3 years |
| BA Political Science Hons | 3 years |
| BA Sociology Hons | 3 years |
| Name of Institution | Location |
| Tamil Nadu Open University | Tamil Nadu |
| Kakatiya University | Telangana |
| Prof Rajendra Singh University | Uttar Pradesh |
| University of Technology | Rajasthan |
| JMI New Delhi – Jamia Millia Islamia | Delhi |
| MSU Baroda – Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | Gujarat |
| LPU Jalandhar – Lovely Professional University | Punjab |
| DU Delhi – University of Delhi | Delhi |
| AMU Aligarh – Aligarh Muslim University | Uttar Pradesh |
| Integral University | Uttar Pradesh |
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Aspirants should take the Civil Services Exam (UPSC Civil/ UPSC CSE) and obtain a high rank to become a District Magistrate. Candidates who want to take the CSE Exam must be between the ages of 21 and 32. The table below will give you a clear picture of an aspiring candidate’s age limit and the number of attempts based on their category (general, OBC, SC/ST, etc.).
| Category | Maximum age limit | Number of attempts |
| General | 32 | 6 |
| OBC | 35 | 9 |
| SC/ST | 37 | Unlimited attempts |
| Disabled defence service personnel | 35 | 9 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 37 | 9 |
| A person with benchmark disability (Economically weaker section) | 42 | 9 |
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The monthly basic salary for a district magistrate is approximately ₹78,800. It includes a variety of allowances such as Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance, and House Rent Allowance, among others. This pay scale will rise as you advance in your career.
It takes many years of dedication, focus, and hard work to become a district magistrate, but by planning ahead of time, you can make your path to becoming a district magistrate much smoother. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to serve the people of the country and make society a much better place to live than it currently is. Best wishes on your journey to becoming a district magistrate and making India a better place!
Ans: It can take an IAS officer 8 to 10 years to become a District Magistrate.
Ans: A candidate must first pass the UPSC-CSE exam and be appointed as an IAS officer before becoming a DM. After serving as an IAS officer for 6 years, including 2 years of training, a candidate can become a DM. The candidate must be at the top of the IAS Officer rank list to become a DM. In addition, students must have a bachelor’s degree in any field.
Ans: Only an IAS officer can be appointed as District Magistrate [DM] in any district in any Indian state. So, after a certain number of years of service, DM is one of the many roles an IAS officer can get into.
Ans: WBCS officers can become district magistrates.
Ans: No, in order to become a DM, a candidate must first pass the UPSC-CSE exam and become an IAS officer.
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