It would not be an easy ride from now on for state government officials for promotion to All India Services with the Centre making it mandatory for them to face a test and interview conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
At present, the promotion of state officers into Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service was done on the basis of review of their seniority and annual confidential reports.
The Ministry of Personnel has now changed the rules for promotion, despite opposition from states like Tamil Nadu. The new system will be reviewed after its implementation for three years.
The promotion will be made through a ,1000 marks four-stage process including a written exam and interview. For those from state civil services, they will have to appear for two papers – aptitude test and general studies – while for non civil services officers, they will have to appear for a third paper, essay.
Officers will be tested with state specific and service specific questions with a view to assess the knowledge and application in critical areas of public administration and development related issues.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks