Chandigarh: Haryana is facing a shortage of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, with 47 posts lying vacant against the state’s sanctioned cadre strength of 226. Only 179 officers are currently in position, leaving more than 20 per cent of the sanctioned posts unfilled.
The shortage has resulted in several senior officers handling multiple departments and additional administrative responsibilities. The situation comes ahead of the retirement of three senior IAS officers over the next three months: Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary Sudhir Rajpal and Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) Dr Sumita Misra.
According to reports, the state government has approached the Centre seeking the return of four IAS officers currently serving on central deputation. It may also consider promoting eligible Haryana Civil Service (HCS) officers to the IAS to address the shortage.
Three Senior IAS Officers to Retire by January 2027
The upcoming retirements involve three 1990-batch IAS officers holding important positions in the Haryana administration.
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- Anurag Rastogi (IAS: 1990: HR): The Haryana-cadre officer is currently serving as the Chief Secretary. He was granted an extension of service in June 2025 and subsequently received another extension, taking his tenure up to December 31, 2026.
- Sudhir Rajpal (IAS: 1990: HR): Also a 1990-batch IAS officer, Rajpal is handling several important portfolios, including Home, Jails, Criminal Investigation, Administration of Justice, Environment, and Finance and Planning. He is scheduled to retire on November 30, 2026.
- Dr. Sumita Misra (IAS: 1990: HR): The senior IAS officer is handling Revenue and Disaster Management, Consolidation, Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research, and AYUSH. She is due to retire on January 31, 2027.
The retirement of these officers will require the state government to make fresh arrangements for the departments and positions they currently handle.
Multiple Departments Being Managed by Senior Officers
The shortage has led to multiple portfolio assignments across the state administration. Officers such as Sudhir Rajpal and Dr Sumita Misra are handling several departments, while other senior bureaucrats also have additional responsibilities.
An Additional Chief Secretary-level officer, as quoted in the source report, said the shortage was affecting the distribution of administrative work. Some officers are required to oversee multiple departments as well as responsibilities in different cities.
The officer also pointed to delays in decision-making at the administrative secretary level, which can affect the disposal of complaints, routine government work and monitoring of development projects.
In September 2025, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had directed a review of incomplete and delayed projects across departments. Departments were asked to provide details of the reasons for delays, financial losses and revised completion timelines.
Government Seeks Return of Four IAS Officers from Central Deputation
To address the shortage, the Haryana government has requested the Centre to repatriate four IAS officers currently serving on central deputation:
- Rakesh Gupta
- V. Umashankar
- Nitin Kumar Yadav
- Vikas Gupta
The state has sought their return to Haryana to strengthen its administrative set-up. The Centre’s response to the request will determine whether these officers can be brought back to the state.
HCS Promotions and Cadre Expansion Among Other Options
Another route available to the state is the promotion of eligible HCS officers to the IAS. Under the revised Haryana IAS cadre structure notified in June 2026, the authorised strength was increased from 215 to 226 posts.
The revised strength comprises 158 direct-recruitment posts and 68 posts under the promotion quota. The latter provides a route for eligible state civil service officers to enter the IAS, subject to the prescribed selection and appointment process.
The increase added 11 posts to Haryana’s sanctioned IAS strength. However, the state continues to have 47 vacancies, with 179 officers currently in position.
The government may also consider granting extensions to officers approaching retirement, where permitted. Such extensions are subject to the applicable rules and the government’s decision.
Non-IAS Officers Also Holding Certain Cadre Posts
The Haryana government has also assigned responsibilities attached to certain IAS-cadre posts to officers from other services, including the Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS).
The arrangement has drawn objections from sections of the IAS fraternity. Some IAS officers have questioned the appointment of officers from other services against posts earmarked for the IAS cadre.
The issue has remained a subject of discussion within the state’s bureaucracy.
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