Discontent Grows Over Unequal Treatment Compared to IAS Officers
A wave of dissatisfaction is brewing among Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officers in Uttar Pradesh after close to 200 officers missed the May 31 deadline for submitting their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs). Unlike their counterparts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), these officers were not granted any extension by the Appointment Department of the state government.
This has sparked sharp criticism, as IAS officers and other senior officials reportedly received additional time to complete their ACR submissions, raising concerns over disparity in administrative treatment between different services.
Workload Cited, But No Consideration for PCS Officers
Sources within the administration have attributed the missed deadlines to official duties such as election-related work, ongoing transfers, and urgent administrative tasks. However, despite these legitimate reasons, no formal relief or communication was extended to PCS officers.
A senior PCS officer, speaking anonymously, remarked:
“When IAS officers are granted extensions due to heavy workload, why are PCS officers — who handle critical fieldwork — denied the same consideration?”
Perceived Bias Fuels Discontent
The perceived preferential treatment towards All India Services (AIS) officers has rekindled long-standing concerns about bureaucratic inequality and systemic bias. Many in the PCS cadre argue that the ACR is not merely a formality but a crucial component in determining promotions, transfers, and service records.
In response, some officers have approached their service associations and are planning to formally raise the issue with the Chief Secretary, demanding either:
An official deadline extension, or
A special review mechanism to account for justified delays.
Impact on Careers
The failure to file ACRs on time can have serious repercussions, such as:
Delays in promotions and postings
Negative markings in service records
Missed opportunities for key roles, regardless of actual field performance
Several officers have voiced concerns that their genuine inability to meet deadlines due to administrative duties is being unfairly penalized, potentially affecting morale across the PCS cadre.
Call for Policy Parity and Transparency
The broader demand from the PCS community is for a uniform and transparent policy regarding ACR submission timelines that applies equally to all services. Officers stress that field responsibilities should be weighed fairly, and any leniency shown to one cadre should be extended to others performing equally critical roles.
