If the GoM headed by Defence Minister AK Antony has its way, the IAS monopoly on senior positions in Central government ministries will soon be a relic of the past. The GoM proposes the establishment of a Central Civil Services Authority (CCSA). Every officer above the level of joint secretary will be selected by the CCSA. Thus, it will be entirely upto the CCSA if it wants to accept applications from all eligible candidates, even from outside the Services. The fine print on the eligibility criteria will be finalised once the CCSA is in place.
“If the CCSA is formed, there will be no guarantee that only becoming an IAS will take one to the higher level of the Civil Services, unless he or she is also a specialist,” says a government source. A Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) source said, “The decision of the GoM will be conveyed to the Union Cabinet by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances for its approval before constitution of the Authority.’’
The CCSA promises to be a game changer. The present process of empanelment of officers, based on the Annual Performance Report of officers, will come to an end. Junior officers will have to have specialised skills in select domains by the end of 13 years of service, and selection to higher posts will be based on these specialisations. The consensus among the officials is that there will be more competition once the CCSA is in place.
The most radical proposal goes beyond the sphere of the government. “The GoM will also take a call on whether professionals from outside the government can also be brought in for posts of Additional Secretary and above. If that is done, professionals, including lawyers, chartered accountants, corporate executives, academics, engineers and doctors may make a lateral entry to the system in their respective fields,’’ said the government source.
The idea of “professionalising’’ the Indian bureaucracy was first mooted by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) headed by Veerapa Moily in its 10th report, titled Refurbishing of Personal Administration—Scaling New Heights. According to the sources in the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, the chairperson and members of the authority would be experienced public servants or eminent professionals who have contributed to public service.
“However, MPs, MLAs and office-bearers of any political party or other offices shall not be entitled to become members of the authority to avoid any sort of politicisation,” said the source. As per the proposal before the GoM, the authority shall be appointed by the President on the recommendations of a committee under the chairmanship of the prime minister, and will include the Union home minister and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.
