Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to take a decision within 15 days on the pending cases of four non-Rajasthan Administrative Service (non-RAS) officers selected for consideration for promotion to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand passed the order while disposing of petitions filed by Suresh Kumar Verma, Shyam Sundar Jiyani, Kartikeya Mishra and Narmada Indoria.
The court directed the government to pass a reasoned or speaking order within 15 days of receiving the certified copy of the judgment. However, it clarified that it had not directed the government to decide the matter in any particular manner.
UPSC Board Selected Four Officers from 20 Candidates
The case relates to four vacancies arising for the 2024 selection year, for which the process of selecting non-RAS officers for IAS appointment began in 2025.
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As part of the selection process, 20 officers belonging to different state services appeared before the UPSC selection board for interviews in December 2025.
Following the interviews, the board selected four officers and forwarded the relevant proposal to the Rajasthan government for its observations and comments.
The four officers selected by the board were:
- Suresh Kumar Verma: Accounts Service Department
- Shyam Sundar Jiyani: Higher Education Department
- Kartikeya Mishra: Cooperation Department
- Narmada Indoria: Information and Public Relations Department
State Government’s Response Pending for Months
According to the petitioners, the UPSC had sent the proposal to the state government in December 2025 for its observations.
Under Rule 6 of the IAS (Appointment by Selection) Regulations, 1997, the state government was required to forward its observations to the UPSC within 45 days.
However, the petitioners argued that the government had not communicated its observations within the prescribed period, leaving their cases pending for several months.
They approached the High Court seeking a decision on the matter, stating that the delay had stalled the next stage of the selection process.
High Court Directs Reasoned Decision Within 15 Days
After hearing the petitions, the High Court directed the state government to pass a speaking order within 15 days of receiving the certified copy of its order.
A speaking order requires the authority to record the reasons supporting its decision.
The court also clarified that it had not instructed the government to approve the officers’ selection or grant them IAS promotions. The state government remains free to decide the matter in accordance with the applicable rules and legal provisions.
