https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

SC Steps in to Resolve Dispute Over IFS Performance Appraisals by IAS Officers

The IFS officers have raised concerns over their PARs being written by Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, as per a June 2024 office order issued by the state.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to address the grievances of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers regarding the new performance appraisal report (PAR) mechanism introduced by the Madhya Pradesh government. The IFS officers have raised concerns over their PARs being written by Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, as per a June 2024 office order issued by the state.

A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K Vinod Chandran was hearing a petition filed by Gaurav Bansal, challenging the new framework which transferred the authority to write the PARs of IFS officers from Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). IFS officers argue that their performance appraisals should be conducted by forest experts, not IAS officers, as the latter may not be well-versed in the intricacies of forest conservation and wildlife protection.

Justice Gavai noted the long-standing tension between the IAS and IFS cadres, stating that IAS officers often exert undue influence over their IFS counterparts. He emphasized that the IFS officers feel that appraisals conducted by IAS officers are prone to errors due to their lack of understanding of the specialized work IFS officers perform.

The Supreme Court bench urged the matter to be resolved, with Justice Gavai observing, “It should be resolved.” Solicitor General Mehta, in his response, expressed his intention to deliberate on the issue and consult with the relevant stakeholders. He also acknowledged that the administrative hierarchy clearly outlines who is responsible for writing the PARs of various officers.

The controversy stems from an office order issued on June 29, 2024, which the Supreme Court had previously criticized. The court had warned the Madhya Pradesh government that if the order was not withdrawn, contempt proceedings could be initiated for violating its directives.

The Madhya Pradesh IFS Association has also raised concerns, sending a protest letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, highlighting the vital role that forest officers play in conservation efforts. The association argued that the new system would demoralize IFS officers, as it disregards their expertise in forest and wildlife conservation.

In support of the new PAR mechanism, IAS officers pointed to similar rules already implemented in other biodiversity-rich states, including Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

The case continues to draw attention to the complex relationship between the IAS and IFS, and the court’s intervention signals a crucial moment in resolving this administrative conflict.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
DMRC_hosts_UITP_
DMRC Hosts UITP Urban Rail Conference 2025 in Delhi with Focus on Cybersecurity in Metro Systems
Railtel
RailTel India Secures Rs 18.22 Crore OEM Support Contract from Karnataka Centre for E-Governance
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
Sonal Goel Kickboxing President
Meet Tripura Cadre IAS Officer Sonal Goel, Newly Appointed President of All Delhi Kickboxing Association
Nitin Gadkari
India to Build 25 Greenfield Expressways Spanning 10,000 km at Rs 6 Lakh Crore, Says Nitin Gadkari
coal-India-limited-scaled
Coal India Ltd to Announce Q2 Financial Results and Second Interim Dividend on October 29, 2025
NTPC Renewable Energy Gujarat MoU
NTPC Renewable Energy Signs MoU with Gujarat Government to Develop 15 GW Solar and Wind Projects
India-UK defence deal
India-UK Defence Deal 2025: “India Inks Mega Missile Deal with UK Worth $468 Million — A Big Leap in Defence & Diplomacy”
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Officer C
"She Believed She Could, So She Did" - The Inspiring Journey of IAS Officer C. Vanmathi
From herding buffaloes and facing early marriage pressure to becoming an IAS officer, C. Vanmathi’s journey...
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
DMRC_hosts_UITP_
DMRC Hosts UITP Urban Rail Conference 2025 in Delhi with Focus on Cybersecurity in Metro Systems
Railtel
RailTel India Secures Rs 18.22 Crore OEM Support Contract from Karnataka Centre for E-Governance
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT