Non-IAS bureaucrats now eligible for secretary-level posts

In a shot in the arm for non-IAS Group A bureaucrats, the Centre has begun to empanel Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and those belonging to other such services for appointment as secretaries and additional secretaries in different ministries. The posts of secretaries and additional secretaries are usually occupied by IAS officers.

Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha has written to the secretaries of all Central ministries and cadre-controlling authorities seeking the nomination of officers for these posts. “It is proposed to draw up panels of IPS, IFoS and officers belonging to other Group A services for appointment (as) secretary and additional secretary in the Government of India,” Mr Sinha wrote.

The move will bring some cheer to officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFoS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and Indian Information Service (IIS), among others, who have been objecting to the fact that service-related benefits enjoyed by officers of the Indian Administrative Service are not available to them.