New Delhi: A parliamentary report has highlighted a serious issue regarding the non-filing of “Immovable Property Returns” (IPRs) by numerous Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, prompting a call for stricter penalties and corrective actions. The findings, presented on March 27 by the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), reveal that a significant number of IAS officers failed to comply with the mandatory filing requirements.
According to the report, 91 IAS officers did not file their IPRs in 2024, while 73 officers failed to do so in 2023. The committee also noted that due to non-filing of returns, 15 IAS officers in 2023, 12 in 2022, and 14 in 2021 were denied vigilance clearance, which is crucial for key administrative postings.
To address this growing concern, the committee has recommended the establishment of a centralized compliance monitoring system within the DoPT, supported by a dedicated task force to track the filing status of all IAS officers. Additionally, the panel proposed penalties for officers who miss deadlines, including automatic escalation procedures after reminders, to reinforce accountability and ensure timely submission of IPRs.
The report also raised alarms over a significant shortfall of 1,316 IAS officers, which the committee described as a “serious challenge” to effective governance. With the total authorized cadre strength of 6,858 IAS officers, only 5,542 officers are currently in service, resulting in a considerable gap. The committee urged swift measures to accelerate recruitment, with particular emphasis on implementing the Chandramouli Committee’s recommendations regarding the intake of direct recruits.
In addition to addressing officer shortages, the committee recommended the development of an online platform to enable state governments to track IAS vacancies, especially in the promotion quota. The panel suggested imposing penalties, such as withholding promotion consideration, on states that consistently fail to meet deadlines for filling vacancies.
These recommendations are part of the 145th report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice, which covers the Demands for Grants (2025–26) for the DoPT.
The findings and suggestions aim to improve administrative efficiency and governance across the country while ensuring better accountability for IAS officers in meeting their obligations.
