KOHIMA, OCTOBER 22 (MExN): The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA has raised concerns over procedural lapses in the recent induction of officers into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The observations were presented to the Cabinet Sub-Committee during a meeting on October 20, 2025, to facilitate a timely decision by the Cabinet.
According to the JCC, procedural lapses were noted in the Vacancy Circulars issued on July 6, 2020, and March 10, 2025. The Cabinet subsequently ratified these circulars on March 27, 2025—two days after the withdrawal of the March 10 circular and one day after the deadline for submission of applications had expired.
The committee highlighted that the July 6, 2020, Vacancy Circular had earlier formed the basis for recommending a Non-SCS officer by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), who was appointed to the IAS by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) without objection and has recently retired.
The circular, the JCC noted, aligned with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Civil Appeal Nos. 4426-4466 of 2023, which allows executive instructions to supplement rules in case of ambiguity or gaps. Clause 4 of both circulars, according to the committee, has legal validity and reinforces IAS Regulations.
The JCC also pointed out that instead of ratifying the circulars in full, the guidelines were replaced by a reaffirmation of IAS Regulations. This move, the committee claimed, facilitated the inclusion of a Non-NPSC candidate into the Panel List.
The report called for a review of procedural irregularities to ensure transparency and fairness in future IAS induction.
