New Delhi: The Central Government has issued a strict directive to all Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, urging them to submit their property details on time or face consequences, including disciplinary action and denial of promotions, according to an official communique from the Ministry of Personnel.
Mandatory Filing of Immovable Property Returns (IPR)
All IAS officers are required to submit the annual Immovable Property Return (IPR) by January 31 of the following year. The communique emphasizes that failure to comply with this requirement is considered a “good and sufficient reason” for initiating disciplinary proceedings against non-compliant officers.
The new rules also link the timely submission of IPR to career progression, stating that officers who fail to file the return on time will not be considered for appointment to the next level of the pay matrix.
Online Filing Through SPARROW Module
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) introduced the online filing system for IPR for IAS officers through the SPARROW (Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window) module in January 2017. Officers can either submit their returns electronically or upload scanned copies of manually filled-in IPR forms.
The Ministry noted that over the years, officers have shown encouraging compliance with the filing process. The online portal will automatically close after January 31, 2026, for the calendar year 2025, making it imperative for officers to complete submissions before the deadline.
Instructions to Secretaries and Chief Secretaries
All secretaries of central government departments and chief secretaries of states have been instructed to ensure that IAS officers under their jurisdiction are reminded and directed to submit their property details on time. This step is intended to enhance transparency and accountability among officers while maintaining integrity in public service.
Ensuring Compliance and Accountability
The government’s renewed focus on timely IPR submission underscores its commitment to good governance and ethical conduct in the civil services. By enforcing strict timelines and linking compliance with promotions, the Ministry aims to strengthen accountability and curb instances of undeclared or suspicious assets among IAS officers.
Officials say that such measures are part of broader efforts to enhance transparency and integrity within India’s bureaucracy and ensure that senior civil servants adhere to the highest standards of conduct.
