Rajasthan High Court Directs State to Decide IAS Promotion Cases of Four Non-RAS Officers Within 15 Days
The Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to take a decision within 15 days on the pending cases of four non-Rajasthan Administrative Service (non-RAS) officers shortlisted for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through the selection process.
The order, passed by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, came while disposing of petitions filed by Suresh Kumar Verma, Shyam Sundar Jiyani, Kartikeya Mishra and Narmada Indoria. The officers had approached the court over the prolonged delay in the state government’s submission of its observations on their selection proposals.
The court has instructed the government to issue a reasoned or ‘speaking’ order within 15 days from the date it receives the certified copy of the judgment. However, it has made it clear that the direction does not require the government to approve their selection or decide the matter in any particular manner.
UPSC Selection Board Shortlisted Four Officers from 20 Candidates
The matter concerns four vacancies identified for the 2024 selection year under the process for appointing non-RAS officers to the IAS. The selection exercise began in 2025, with 20 eligible officers from different state services appearing before the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) selection board for interviews in December 2025.
Following the interview process, the board shortlisted four candidates and forwarded the relevant proposal to the Rajasthan government for its observations and comments.
The four officers selected by the board were:
Suresh Kumar Verma: Accounts Service Department.
Shyam Sundar Jiyani: Higher Education Department.
Kartikeya Mishra: Cooperation Department.
Narmada Indoria: Information and Public Relations Department.
Their cases subsequently remained pending with the state government, preventing the selection process from moving forward to its next stage.
Petitioners Cite Delay in State Government’s Observations
According to the petitioners, the UPSC forwarded the selection proposal to the Rajasthan government in December 2025, seeking its observations as required under the applicable regulations.
They contended that Rule 6 of the IAS (Appointment by Selection) Regulations, 1997, requires the state government to communicate its observations to the UPSC within 45 days.
However, the petitioners argued that the prescribed timeline had elapsed without the government forwarding its comments, leaving their selection cases unresolved for several months.
They subsequently approached the Rajasthan High Court, seeking judicial intervention to ensure that the pending process was taken to its logical conclusion. Their plea highlighted the delay in the administrative procedure and the absence of a formal decision from the state government.
High Court Orders Speaking Order Within 15 Days
After considering the submissions, Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand directed the state government to pass a reasoned order within 15 days of receiving the certified copy of the judgment.
A speaking order is an administrative or judicial decision that clearly records the reasons and considerations underlying the authority’s conclusion. The requirement ensures that the decision is supported by an explanation rather than being merely a formal acceptance or rejection.
Importantly, the High Court refrained from directing the government to recommend the four officers for IAS appointment. It clarified that the state authorities retain the discretion to examine the matter and reach a decision in accordance with the applicable rules and legal provisions.
What the Court’s Direction Means for the Four Officers
The order provides a defined timeline for the Rajasthan government to address the pending selection proposals. It does not, however, guarantee IAS appointment for the four officers.
The next step rests with the state government, which must examine the matter and communicate its decision through a reasoned order within the stipulated period. The subsequent course of the selection process will depend on the observations and decision forwarded by the state authorities.
The ruling brings renewed attention to the procedure for inducting eligible officers from state services other than the RAS into the IAS, particularly the importance of adhering to prescribed timelines in the selection process.
For Suresh Kumar Verma, Shyam Sundar Jiyani, Kartikeya Mishra and Narmada Indoria, the immediate outcome is a time-bound decision on cases that have remained pending for months. Whether their names ultimately proceed further in the IAS selection process will depend on the state’s decision and the applicable regulatory framework.
