Now, the way has become uphill for the State Service Officers to get into IAS, IPS and IFS cadre. Besides examining their seniority and confidential reports, they would have to acquire good numbers in written examination and interview. For the other category officers, importance would not be given to their seniority only, but they have to perform better in the written examination having 55 per cent marks.
So far, based on seniority, CR and interview, officers of state administrative, forest and police services have been awarded IAS, IFS and IPS cadres. But now the process has been made hard. The DOPT has prepared a new scheme for appointing state service officers into the all India services.
The draft of the scheme has recently been sent to the States, in which it is mentioned that the UPSC would conduct an examination for the selection every year. The examination, which has two types of papers, would be conducted in the entire country in one day simultaneously. The first paper would be for aptitude test. The second would be in two parts — the first part for general study and the second includes State and service related questions. Questions to check knowledge related to public administration and development would be included in it.
Both the papers have objective questions. However, for the other category officers would have a third paper for English essay, understandability etc. The written examination of the State service officers will be of 30 per cent marks, whereas, that of the other category officers will be of 55 per cent marks.
State services officers will get 25 per cent marks on their seniority, but the other category officers would not get marks on seniority. On the annual confidential reports, both will get 25 per cent marks and 20 per cent marks have been fixed for interview. So, the State services officers will get 50 per cent marks in written examination and interview and 50 per cent in ACR and seniority. Merit list will be prepared based on the marks secured in all four sections and those who get highest numbers will be awarded IAS, IPS and IFS cadres on the basis of vacant posts.
Other category officers have to secure highest number in the written examinations, as it has 55 per cent marks. ACR and interview have 45 per cent marks. Based on the marks of all the three categories, their merit list will be prepared. The officer who has eight years of more service in category A would be eligible for IAS, IPS and IFS award. The maximum age limit for it will be 54 years. The number of officers, three times to the vacant posts, would be eligible to take the examination.