India is facing a deficit of IPS and IAS officers, according to the recent statement of the Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha. The country is in need of 1,470 more IAS officers.
What did the minister say about the shortage of officers in India?
"In UPSC, there is shortage of over 1,400 IAS and 900 IPS officers in the country. At present, the nation has 4,926 officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) while the total authorised strength of 6,396," Singh said in recent PTI report.
The civil services in its recent notification shows that the government is planning to hire just 980 officers, the lowest in the past five years.
Vacancy Availability
Bihar: 128
Uttar Pradesh: 117
West Bengal: 101
IPS vacancies:
Indian Police Service (IPS): 908
Sub-division:
- UP: 114
- West Bengal: 88
- Odisha: 79
- Karnataka: 72
In Bihar, where 231 posts were sanctioned for IPS officers, 43 of those posts are vacant. Even in the IFS department, there are vacancies.
IFS vacancies:
As per data received, a total of 2,597 IFS officers are being appointed against their total authorised strength of 3,157 - gap of 560.
State-wise vacancies:
- Maharashtra: 46
- Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha: 45 per state
Among all this chaos, the government has increased annual intake of IAS officers to 180 in the last four years.
According to Singh, the annual intake of IFS officers is increased to 110 and of IPS officers to 150 from 2015 and 2009 examination respectively.
"Further, in promotion quota, prompt action has been taken for holding selection committee meeting for appointment by promotion/selection of state service officers in all-India services," he added.
Concerns have also been raised by senior officials like a parliamentary standing committee expressed worry over the continued shortage of IAS officers and strongly recommended that all efforts be made to fill these vacancies.
Panel Declaration
"The Committee notes that almost all the key and strategic positions under the Union as well as the states are being manned by the IAS and persistent shortage in the IAS officers ultimately affects governance in the country.
"The Committee expresses its serious concern over the persistent shortage of IAS officers and strongly recommends that all efforts be made to fill these vacancies," the panel said.