Rajya Sabha Update: IPS Outpaces IAS and IFS in Socially Disadvantaged Group Appointments; Significant Officer Shortages Persist Nationwide
In a formal written response to the Rajya Sabha on February 13, 2026, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, revealed that the Indian Police Service (IPS) has seen a higher rate of appointments from OBC, SC, and ST categories compared to the IAS and IFS over the last five years.
While the data indicates a positive trend toward more inclusive representation within India’s premier services, the report also highlighted a critical deficit in the total number of officers currently in position across all three cadres.
Representation Trends (2020–2024)
Data tabled in the Parliament shows that between 2020 and 2024, the IPS led the recruitment of candidates from socially disadvantaged groups.
The figures confirm that a higher volume of candidates from these categories was allocated to the IPS than to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Forest Service (IFS) during the specified five-year window.
Critical Manpower Deficits
Despite the steady influx of new recruits, the gap between the sanctioned strength and the actual number of officers in the field remains a significant administrative hurdle.
IAS: Against a sanctioned strength of 6,877, only 5,577 officers are currently in position, leaving a deficit of 1,300 officers.
IPS: Out of 5,099 sanctioned posts, there is a shortfall of 505 officers.
IFS: The Forest Service faces the steepest proportional deficit, with only 2,164 officers in position against a sanctioned strength of 3,193, resulting in a shortage of 1,029 personnel.
The Dual Challenge for Governance
Minister Jitendra Singh’s reply underscores a complex reality for Indian bureaucracy. While the Civil Services Examination continues to serve as an effective tool for improving social representation, the persistent vacancies pose a threat to the efficiency of policing, administrative governance, and forest management.
The government’s focus remains twofold: ensuring that the top tier of the bureaucracy reflects the nation’s diverse social fabric while simultaneously accelerating recruitment initiatives to bridge the widening manpower gap.
