In a significant policy shift aimed at broadening the pool of IAS officers eligible for central deputation, the Central Government has revised its empanelment norms for the post of Joint Secretary (JS). As per the new guidelines, IAS officers who have served for at least two years as under-secretaries will now be eligible for empanelment as Joint Secretary — a departure from the earlier requirement of two years’ service as deputy secretary or director.
New Eligibility Criteria to Tackle Central Staffing Shortage
The updated policy was formalized through a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) office memorandum dated May 7, 2025. It applies to IAS officers from the 2010 batch onward. This move is intended to encourage more officers to opt for central postings amid a persistent shortage of IAS officers at the Centre — as of 2023, only 442 officers were posted against a sanctioned strength of 1,469.
The previous 2020 policy had introduced the requirement for officers (from the 2007 batch onward) to have central experience at the deputy secretary or director level in order to be considered for JS empanelment. Before that, officers could directly transition from their state cadres to senior posts in the Central Government.
Mixed Reactions from Officers on the Ground
Despite the 2020 revision, central deputation uptake remained low. The latest change aims to further open the door for officers early in their careers, especially by incentivizing roles like under-secretary — traditionally seen as less attractive compared to state-level leadership positions.
However, serving officers are divided on the policy’s impact. One senior IAS officer remarked, “It’s become a do-or-die situation. Without junior postings at the Centre, there’s no path to top roles. But why would anyone give up a District Magistrate post to become an under-secretary?”
Another officer pointed out that many currently fulfill the central deputation requirement by serving as private secretaries to Union Ministers, rather than in policy-making roles like directors. Additionally, the under-secretary option may not appeal to officers who, after seven to eight years of service, become eligible for key leadership roles in their states.
Concerns Over State-Level Barriers and Batch-Wise Disparities
Some officers argue that the policy unfairly penalizes those whose state governments delay or deny central deputation. “We want to go, but states often don’t relieve us. If we miss the director window, we lose JS empanelment — and that’s not in our hands,” said an IAS officer posted in Kerala.
The 2020 policy, aimed at fostering Centre–state mobility, appears to have had the opposite effect, according to several officers. While relaxations were granted informally to officers of the 2007 and 2008 batches, no such leniency was offered to the 2009 batch. As a result, only 16 of 119 officers from the 2009 batch made it to the initial JS empanelment list, compared to 49 of 89 in the 2005 batch and 64 of 111 in 2008.
Centre vs. States: A Power Recalibration?
Some officials believe the revised empanelment norms are part of a larger effort to enhance central control over IAS officers. “This is about shifting the balance of influence from states to the Centre,” one officer commented, referencing earlier attempts by the Centre to override state decisions on deputation.
Notably, in 2022, the Centre proposed controversial amendments to the IAS (Cadre) Rules that would have allowed it to unilaterally call IAS officers for central deputation — even without the consent of state governments. Those proposals were eventually withdrawn after widespread opposition from states.
With the latest policy adjustments, the Centre continues its effort to strengthen IAS presence at the national level. Whether this approach will prove effective in practice, however, remains to be seen.
