IPS promotions to be evaluated on 10-years’ performance

The Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government has decided to impose a new point-based ranking system for promotion of senior IPS officers serving in the state police force, the evaluation for which would be based on their performance in the last 10 years with them having to achieve a minimum benchmark score for promotion.

Moreover, to promote postings in Marathwada and Vidarbha, considered as backward regions, the government has decided to give relaxation of up to five points for officers who have served there for at least a year.

K.P. Bakshi, additional chief secretary for home, has issued a government resolution (GR) for the implementation of the new point-based ranking system for promotion of senior IPS officers.

According to the new system, an officer would be evaluated on the basis of his 10-year performance and must have a minimum benchmark score out of the maximum 90 marks for different posts. For instance, for promotion to the DGP post, the officer must have at least 75 marks, for additional DG 70, 65 marks for special IG and deputy IG and 60 marks for selection grade officers.

For those posted in Vidarbha and Marathwada, the government will provide relaxation of five marks. For instance, for the post of DGP the officer needs to have 70 instead of the 75 marks needed for officers who have not served in Vidarbha or Marathwada regions for at least a year, the GR said.

Similarly, for the other ranks such as additional DG, an officer would need 65 marks; special IG-60 and selection grade officer would be at least 55 marks for promotion at the higher post.

Significantly, until 2007-8, the promotion of the officers was based on grading system such as average, good, very good and outstanding. In 2008-9, it was changed to point-based, making it fool proof. However, now it will be based on their performance in the last 10 years. Now, to evaluate as per the latest system, the home department has decided to allot points to the above categories such as outstanding, very good, good and average to 9, 7, 5 and 3 marks respectively.