IAS Officers’ Compliance and Recruitment Challenges

April 1, 2025

Recently, a parliamentary report raised concerns about Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers failing to file their Immovable Property Returns (IPRs). The report brought into light that 91 IAS officers did not file their IPRs in 2024 and 73 in 2023. This non-compliance has led to the denial of vigilance clearance for several officers.

Non-Filing of Immovable Property Returns

The report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel and Training revealed a troubling trend. A total of 91 IAS officers failed to file their IPRs in 2024, while 73 did not comply in 2023. This non-filing leads to severe consequences, including the denial of vigilance clearance necessary for key postings. The committee proposed stricter penalties for non-compliance.

Proposed Compliance Mechanism

To address the issue, the committee recommended establishing a centralised compliance monitoring mechanism. This would include a dedicated task force within the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The task force would be responsible for tracking the filing status of IAS officers. Penalties or corrective actions would be applied for officers who ignore IPR filing deadlines.

Current Shortage of IAS Officers

The report brought into light a critical shortage of 1,316 IAS officers out of an authorised strength of 6,858. Currently, only 5,542 officers are in position. This shortage impacts administrative efficiency and governance. The committee urged swift action to enhance recruitment processes to meet public administration demands.

Recommendations for Recruitment Improvement

The committee pointed to the Chandramouli Committee’s recommendations regarding direct recruit IAS officers. These recommendations are under government review and need prompt action. The committee suggested creating an online tracking and submission platform for state governments. This would facilitate efficient tracking of IAS vacancies in the promotion quota.

Penalties for Delayed Submissions

To ensure timely action from state governments, the committee proposed imposing penalties for delayed submissions. States that consistently fail to meet deadlines may face consequences such as withholding promotion consideration. This approach aims to streamline processes and incentivise timely action.

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