Marks scored in the civil service exam and interview may not be the only criteria for allocation of a service or cadre to probationers of three All India Services — Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS) — if the government clears a key proposal for amendment in rules for selection of civil servants.
The ministry of personnel has written to all cadre-controlling authorities and ministries and sought their comments on the possibility of probationers being allocated the services and cadre based on their performance during the foundation course. This might provide a better assessment of candidates and their suitability to various cadres, it is felt. Currently, civil servants are allocated cadre and services before starting the course.
An IAS officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that generally, IAS is the first choice of all candidates and if they don’t get it, they give the exam again. “And since they start preparing again, they don’t take foundation course seriously, therefore it seems that the government wants to ensure that foundation course is taken seriously,” he said.
Currently, civil servants for 24 services, including Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Revenue Service and others, are allocated cadre and services before the commencement of the foundation course, according to their rankings in the exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
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