Govt seeks states' views on revised norms on state civil services

According to a new scheme, state civil service officers will now have to face a UPSC test and interview for promotion to AIS

Government has sought comments from the states on its revised scheme for promotion of state civil service officers into the ranks of IAS, IPS and IFoS.

Several associations of state civil service officers have opposed the government's decision to hold examinations and interviews for selecting personnel into the elite services.

According to a new scheme, state civil service officers will now have to face a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) test and interview for promotion to the All India Services.

So far, the selection of state service officers into the three All India Services of IAS, IPS and IFoS was being done on the basis of a review of their seniority and Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs).

But the Ministry of Personnel recently decided to change the rules for promotion from the state services - a move which is being opposed by a total of 18 state civil service bodies.

Comments on the matter may be communicated to the Department of Personnel & Training latest by January 23, 2014, says an official order.

As per the new norms, the selection to IAS, IPS and IFoS from the state services will be made through a 1,000-mark four -stage process, including a written exam and interview.

State civil service officers will have to face the written test comprising two papers - Paper I on aptitude, and Paper II on General Studies and state specific questions.

The interview and assessment of ACR is to be conducted by a board for such officers.

"A final merit list shall be prepared taking into account all the marks obtained in the four components i.E., 'written examination', 'length of service','assessment of ACR' and 'interview'," the new rules state.