A dispute over 217 government posts has emerged between the Delhi Administration Subordinate Service (DAS) officers and the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) officers, affecting the administrative structure of the Delhi government. In the hierarchy, IAS officers are at the top, followed by DANICS officers, and then DAS officers, who are considered the backbone of the administration. However, a long-standing power struggle between the two lower cadres has led to stalled promotions and administrative conflicts.
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The DAS Officers’ Association has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), requesting intervention in the matter. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Mishra, President of the DAS Officers’ Association, argues that many senior DAS officers have been waiting for promotions for years, and with retirement approaching, it is essential that they receive their due promotions without further delays. He insists that no other cadre should object to this process. However, DANICS officers have strongly opposed their demand, further escalating the conflict.
The root of the dispute lies in a 2023 Delhi High Court ruling, which approved the creation of 217 new posts for promoted DAS officers. However, DANICS officers challenged this decision by filing a petition in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), claiming that the newly created posts were meant for their cadre, not for DAS officers. Since then, the case has remained unresolved, causing delays in key government appointments and promotions.
Amid this ongoing controversy, the administrative efficiency of the newly elected Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government is also at stake. Several development projects initiated by the government require experienced and responsible officers to implement policies effectively, making the allocation of these 217 posts crucial for governance.
The DAS cadre, established in 1967, has not been reviewed for over five decades, despite regulations mandating a review every five years. DAS officers argue that the lack of periodic cadre reviews has hindered their career progression, contributing to the current dispute. With tensions escalating between the two cadres, the Delhi administration now awaits the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to settle the matter.
