New Delhi: In a strong appeal to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum has raised alarm over years of systemic neglect, long-pending cadre restructuring, and stalled promotions that have left one of India’s key administrative services in a state of “existential crisis.” The Forum has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to expedite the long-overdue 4th Cadre Review and restore service parity with other Central Civil Services.
The CSS Forum also submitted a detailed memorandum to Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, a 1987 batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, highlighting the cumulative impact of over seven years of stagnation and the denial of benefits enjoyed by other Organised Group A Services (OGAS).
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Cadre Review Stalled Since 2018
According to the Forum, the third cadre review of the CSS was implemented in 2018 after a delay of five years. However, the 4th Cadre Review, due in the same year, has seen no progress in the past seven years. Despite the formation of a Cadre Review Committee (CRC) in October 2022, the report is yet to be submitted, causing prolonged uncertainty.
“Earlier cadre reviews were finalised within a year. The present delay reflects a discriminatory attitude and structural apathy towards CSS,” the Forum stated in its letter to the Cabinet Secretary.
Manpower Shortage, Efficiency at Risk
Citing data gathered via RTIs, the Forum revealed that only 24 government departments have submitted requests for additional manpower, estimating a shortage of around 2,500 CSS officers at different levels. The vacuum is being felt across Ministries, where CSS officers form the administrative backbone.
“The shortfall is affecting institutional productivity and timely decision-making at the policy level,” the letter said, while pointing out that the stagnation is “not just demotivating but damaging to governance.”
Promotion Delays Trigger Frustration
The CSS Forum has also highlighted delays in promotions despite clear eligibility:
- Under Secretaries with 12 years of service in the same grade are still awaiting promotion, despite the prescribed residency requirement of 5 years.
- Assistant Section Officers (ASOs) of the 2014 batch are yet to receive their first promotion, even after completing 10 years of service.
This delay persists despite repeated public assurances by MoS (Personnel) Dr. Jitendra Singh regarding timely promotion and cadre reform.
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Demand for Organised Group A Services (OGAS) Status
The CSS Forum reiterated its demand for parity under the Organised Group A Services (OGAS) umbrella, which brings several service benefits. Despite being one of the most embedded services across Ministries, CSS officers continue to be denied OGAS privileges, further worsening morale.
Forum Seeks PM’s Direct Intervention
Urging the Prime Minister to step in, the Forum emphasized the need for:
- Immediate finalisation of the 4th Cadre Review Report
- Time-bound promotion mechanism
- Restoration of service parity with other civil services
- Filling up of existing vacancies to improve governance and reduce overburdening of staff
“The CSS cannot remain neglected when the nation is pushing for administrative efficiency and good governance,” the Forum said.
