In a unprecedented big move, the central government has amended the service rule for IAS, IPS and IFS officers and empowered itself to act against them, even without reference from the state government.

The Central Government will now have control over the retirement benefits and pensions of the central service officers over and beyond state governments. If the retired officers are found guilty of grave misconduct or convicted for a serious crime, the centre is free to act against them and withhold or withdraw their pensions.

Amending key service rules, now the government can strip the All India Officers of their benefits and withhold pensions if the said officers are found guilty of misconduct or convicted of a serious crime.

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According to a notification issued on July 6, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has introduced the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Amendment Rules, 2023 under which ‘grave misconduct’ includes any communication or disclosure of documents or information mentioned in the Official Secrets Act. Also ‘serious crime’ includes any offence under the Official Secrets Act.

The earlier rule 3(3) in the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, stated that the central government could withhold or withdraw pension based on a reference from the concerned state government, only if a pensioner is convicted after retirement.