Indianmandarins has learned that the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) is increasingly feeling helpless in view of an acute shortage of IAS officers at the Joint Secretary level - which is considered the pivot in the functioning of the administration.

If some well-placed sources are to be believed the DOPT Secretary Dr C Chandramouli (IAS:1985:TN) recently admitted that there are only 90 IAS officers at the Centre serving at JS-level as against the available 345 posts.

It is feared that the situation may worsen in times to come as 1989 and 1990 batch IAS officers have become Additional Secretary in Govt of India whereas 1991 batch would soon be empanelled as AS by July this year. Each successive batch of IAS, 1995 batch onwards, is too short to fill the gap and it will add to the scarcity situation.

One may say that in view of this situation, the Centre might have decided to open the system for lateral entry but it's not true. If this is the case the Govt of India could well have created pull-factors to motivate IAS officers to come and serve at the Centre. But despite its utility and beauty the opaque 360 has proved to be a deterrent. Several IAS officers keen to serve at Centre have been denied opportunity saying their 360 reports were adverse. By removing the ‘Offer-list’ from public exposure the NaMo administration had made its intent clear. Not to mention, the scarcity of IAS officers have made the State Govts reluctant from allowing their officers to give NoC for Central deputation.

There are several senior officers who believe that if the current shortage of IAS officers continues for a few more years, which is possible, it is bound to cast a shadow on the quality of policy making and implementation. It is believed that ahead of Govt’s aim to make India a five trillion dollar economy and double farmers income, the Govt should create pull-factors so that more competent officers serving in the cadre state may come and contribute to achieving the goal. Then only lateral entry would prove to be beneficial. The efficient functioning of the departments and ministries requires a right mix of manpower, competence, and talents.     

(By Rakesh Ranjan)