The Haryana government is preparing to revise and resubmit its proposal to promote 27 Haryana Civil Services (HCS) officers to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), following concerns raised by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding pending chargesheets against some of the candidates.
Originally submitted in March 2025, the proposal sought the elevation of officers from the 2002, 2003, and 2004 HCS batches. However, the UPSC returned the file, highlighting objections—particularly against eight officers from the 2002 batch—who are facing chargesheets, including those involved in a corruption case. Notably, in 2023, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) filed a chargesheet in a Hisar court, alleging irregularities in the 2002 HCS recruitment process, which has delayed the promotions.
Despite this setback, a senior Haryana government official confirmed that the matter is still under active review and the UPSC has not issued a final rejection. “We plan to address the Commission’s concerns and submit a revised proposal. The draft will be placed before the Chief Minister for approval before resubmission,” the official stated.
The state government has contested the UPSC’s interpretation of the chargesheet, arguing that it should not be equated with a final report under Section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Citing legal advice that a chargesheet does not constitute proof of guilt, the state hoped to move the promotions forward. However, the Solicitor General, in a legal opinion dated May 11, 2025, disagreed, stating that under the IAS (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1955, a chargesheet filed under Section 173 CrPC must be treated as a final report.
Acting on the Solicitor General’s interpretation, the UPSC has asked the Haryana government to submit revised documentation before further consideration.
Meanwhile, the matter has drawn political attention. Congress leader Karan Singh Dalal has strongly opposed the promotion of the 2002-batch officers, citing their alleged involvement in corruption. He also questioned the legitimacy of the 2002 HCS selection process, which has been under investigation and has led to charges against several officers.
The Haryana government is now working on a revised proposal that aligns with legal guidance and addresses the objections raised, in the hope of clearing the path for these promotions.
Key Points
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Promotion Proposal: 27 HCS officers from the 2002, 2003, and 2004 batches.
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UPSC Concerns: Chargesheets pending against 8 officers from the 2002 batch.
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Legal Opinion: The Solicitor General supports UPSC’s view that such chargesheets are final reports under IAS promotion rules.
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Political Opposition: Congress leader Karan Singh Dalal has objected, citing corruption and irregularities in the 2002 recruitment process.
The outcome of this case could significantly impact the careers of the officers involved and may also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
