IAS Cadre rules: Proposed Amendments

Context

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has recently proposed changes to amend Rule 6 (deputation of cadre officers) of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules 1954.

• Under this, the Union government will acquire for itself overriding powers to transfer IAS and IPS officers through Central deputation, doing away with the requirement of taking the approval of the State governments.

Recruitment of All India Service (AIS) Officers

• AIS officers are recruited by the Union Government (by UPSC) and their services are allotted under various State Cadres. 
• Hence, they have the accountability to serve both under the State and the Centre.

Deputation of All India Services Officer

• The Department of Personnel & Training is the cadre controlling authority of IAS officers.
• Cadre controlling authority for deputation of Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service Officers (IFoS) is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Environment Ministry respectively.
• The Centre asks every year for an “offer list” of officers of the All-India Services (IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service) willing to go on central deputation, from which it selects officers.
• Central deputation in the Indian Administrative Service is covered under Rule-6 (1) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules-1954, inserted in 1969.
• It states: “A cadre officer may, with the concurrence of the State Governments concerned and the Central Government, be deputed for service under the Central Government or another State Government or under a company, association or body of individuals.
• Provided that in case of any disagreement the matter shall be decided by the Central Government and the State Government or State Governments concerned shall give effect to the decision of the Central Government.