46% of IAS/IPS officers from general category, 29.4% OBCs: 2018-22 data

New Delhi: At least 46.15 per cent of 1,653 people inducted into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) between 2018 and 2022 were from the general category, while 29.4 per cent belonged to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), data tabled in Parliament showed.

According to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, 16.33 per cent of IAS and IPS appointees belonged to Scheduled Castes, while 7.83 per cent belonged to Scheduled Tribes.

These details were provided in a written reply by Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh to questions by DMK MP P Wilson.

A total of 763 officers — 382 IAS, and 381 IPS — from the general category were inducted during this period, while 486 OBC officers — 243 IAS and IPS officers each — were appointed.

For Scheduled Castes, there were a total of 270 officers — 136 IAS and 134 IPS. For Scheduled Tribes, it was 134 officers — 67 IAS and 67 IPS.

According to official statistics, the authorised strength for IAS as of January 1, 2024, is 6,858, while only 5,542 positions are filled.

For IPS, the authorised strength is 5,055, with 4,469 of the positions filled.

In 2022, 75 individuals from the general category were chosen for IAS, while 45 OBCs, 29 SCs and 13 STs were also appointed. Similarly, in IPS, 83 from the general category were chosen, along with 53 OBCs, 31 SCs and 13 STs.

There are 1,316 and 586 vacant posts of IAS and IPS officers, respectively. Of the 1,316 vacant IAS posts, 794 were meant for direct recruitment and 522 were promotion posts. Of the 586 vacant IPS posts, 209 were for direct recruitment and 377 were promotion posts, the data showed.

In Karnataka, there are 314 sanctioned IAS officer posts, with only 273 in position, leaving a vacancy of 41. In IPS, the sanctioned positions are 224, with 193 in position, leaving a vacancy of 31.

Forest service

Data on the appointment of Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officers showed that a total of 246 general category candidates were chosen between 2018 and 2024, while it was 283 for OBCs, 115 for SCs and 58 for STs.

Interestingly, in IFoS, the number of OBC officers appointed was higher than the general category — 283 against 246. There are 3,193 sanctioned posts, while only 2,151 are in positions in IFoS.