IAS probationers to be groomed at Centre first

Newly-appointed probationers of the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) will now have to first serve the Central Government for some time before they are sent to join their parent cadre. Sources in Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said that the order means that an IAS officer will first serve in Union Ministries or departments and establishments as Assistant Secretaries instead of being posted as deputy collectors in a district of their parent cadre. 

“The move to serve first at the Centre will give them a larger perspective and they will comprehend as to which way the nation is thinking and desires to move on. There has to be some changes towards progress,” said a DoPT official. 

As per the service rules, IAS officers start their career in the State administration at the sub-divisional level. They are entrusted with the law and order task of the city along with general administration and development work of the areas under their charge. The Prime Minister Office (PMO) and the Union Ministers can, however, at any point of time appoint them as their Private Secretaries or Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) to Union Ministers. 

The move to reserve the services of IAS probationers is also being done in view of the shortage of IAS officers at the Centre. Against the requirement of 1,350 IAS officers at the Centre on deputation scheme, States have sent only 650 officers. In a directive in November 2014, the Government had asked States to send more IAS officers to the Centre by 2015. The DoPT has written to all States asking them to address the Centre’s concern. 

“The Centre cannot run with such a low number of bureaucrats when the Prime Minister has tasked all the Ministries and departments with rolling out new schemes and measures for holistic development of the country. The Centre has also sought adequate women IAS officers and also those from reserved categories to the Centre to meet the shortage,” added the DoPT official. 

Sources in the Ministry said that the idea behind giving Central deputation to a young IAS officer is also to groom them for future challenges and broaden their perspective. “A fresh IAS officer will earn a great deal of administrative experience while serving at the Centre. This will come handy for him when he goes back to serve the State,” said a senior office.

However, former Election Commissioner SY Quraishi criticised the move. “If there is any such attempt, then there must be some logic within the Government to overrule the convention practiced for over 60 years. As probationers only new appointees get to know the grassroots level job like who are tehsildar, patwari and what are their role. Directly starting from the Centre may be suicidal,” Quraishi, a retired IAS of 1971 said.