Over 1,300 posts of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officers are vacant as on January 1, 2024, government data showed. Taking note of this shortfall, a Parliamentary panel has expressed concern and said that it significantly impacts administrative efficiency and governance across various levels.
As per the IAS Civil List 2024, the total authorised strength of IAS was 6,858, while the total in-position strength was 5,542. This shows a shortage of 1,316. Similarly for Indian Police Service (IPS), there were over 586 vacancies against the sanctioned strength of 5,055. Indian Forest Service (IFS) registered vacancy of 1,042 against sanctioned strength of 3,193.
Related Stories
Central Government faces staffing challenges: 24% of civilian posts vacant for third straight year
The total sanctioned strength of civilian employees exceeded 40 lakhs, with over 9.7 lakhs of these positions unfilled
“Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process. It is the endeavour of Central government to fill a vacant post expeditiously,” Minister of State in the Prime Minister Office, Dr Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. It may be noted that a committee chaired by C. Chandramouli has recommended intake scenarios of Direct Recruit IAS officers on the basis of Civil Services Examination (CSE). The recommendations are currently under consideration of the government.
Related Stories
Need to find alternative ways to reform civil service, infuse talent: Panagariya
Re-evaluate the Permanent Civil Service by taking to drawing board, suggests Former Finance Commission Chairperson N.K. Singh Country’s two top fiscal policy advisors called for reforming and opening up of the permanent civil services to innovation
Meanwhile, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances and Law & Justice in its latest report has expressed concern on the vacancies. “The existing shortage of 1,316 IAS officers significantly impacts administrative efficiency and governance across various levels of the government. Given the urgency of filling these vacant posts, swift action is needed to enhance the recruitment process and meet the growing demands of public administration,” the Committee said while desired that that the Chandramouli Committee’s report regarding the intake of direct recruit IAS officers may be studied and implemented at the earliest.
The Committee noted the submission made by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) regarding delays in the submission of proposals for the determination of vacancies in the IAS promotion quota where it was said that each year this Department determines the number of vacancies in consultation with the State governments concerned. To ensure timely determination of vacancies and consequently holding of meetings of the Selection Committee by UPSC at the start of every calendar year, an annual circular in the form of a communication at the level of Additional Secretary to the Chief Secretaries of all the State government is issued requesting them to send the proposals for determination of vacancies in the promotion quota.
The Committee recommended that to ensure timely determination of vacancies in the IAS promotion quota, the DOPT may initiate an online tracking and submission portal for State governments. This platform would allow State governments to submit their proposals electronically, track the progress of their submissions and receive automated reminders about deadlines. Additionally, “the Department should set up a penalty system for delayed submissions, such as withholding consideration for promotion quotas from States that consistently fail to meet deadlines,” it said. This system would not only streamline the process but also incentivise prompt action, ensuring that the determination of vacancies and the subsequent promotion and selection processes occur without unnecessary delays, the report mentioned.
