Shortage of over 1,400 IAS officers in country: Govt

There is a shortage of over 1,400 IAS officers across the country against the total authorised strength of 6,217, the government said today.

Of the total of 1,480 vacancies for such officers, a highest of 135 exist in Uttar Pradesh, 119 in West Bengal, 105 in Madhya Pradesh, 90 in Bihar and 84 in Jharkhand, Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy told Lok Sabha in a written reply.

A total of 78 vacancies each exist in Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT cadre), 75 in Rajasthan, 67 in Tamil Nadu, 62 in Maharashtra and 60 each in Karnataka and Kerala among other, he said.

About 4,737 IAS officers are working in various central and state government departments across the country.

"The government has gradually increased the annual intake of IAS officers under Direct Recruitment Quota. In promotion quota, prompt actions have been taken for holding of Selection Committee meeting for appointment by promotion or selection of State Service Officers to the IAS," Narayanasamy said.

In reply to another question, the Minister said there were about six lakh vacant positions in central government departments.

Of the total of 6,00,013 lakh, a highest of 5,46,011 exist in Group C (non-gazetted), 30,997 in Group B (non-gazetted), 10116 in Group B (gazetted) and 12,909 in Group A category, he said.

"Posts that have remained vacant for more than a year are not to be revived except under very rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance of Department of Expenditure," Narayanasamy quoted an official circular issued by Ministry of Finance.