A sudden twist in the appointment process of a senior IAS officer by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has led to another ad hoc arrangement within a Union Ministry.
The officer, who was initially set to take over as a Union Secretary, was instead given a different assignment within the same ministry premises—though still in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
With Whom Does the Helm of Appointments Lie, ACC or the Union Government?
While such reshuffles have occurred before, the latest buzz suggests that this change may have been made by choice rather than being a directive from the ACC itself.
As per the norms, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) plays a pivotal role in recommending and approving senior IAS officers for important posts in the central government.
When a key post (e.g., Secretary to the Government of India, Additional Secretary, or other senior central deputation positions) becomes vacant or is about to fall vacant, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) notifies the vacancy and initiates the selection process. Only officers who have been empanelled at the relevant level (e.g., Secretary, Additional Secretary) are considered. Empanelment is based on:
- Batch seniority
- Confidential reports (APARs)
- Integrity record
- Overall suitability for higher responsibility
The empanelment process is carried out by a Screening Committee, which includes senior bureaucrats and is coordinated by the DoPT.
For each vacancy, the Administrative Ministry (the ministry where the vacancy exists) or the DoPT prepares a proposal with a shortlist of names from the empanelled pool. Factors considered include:
- Domain expertise and experience
- Past postings and performance
- State representation (to maintain regional balance)
- Vigilance clearance
The proposal is forwarded to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which is chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Home Minister as the other member.
The ACC:
- Reviews the shortlisted candidates
- May accept the recommendation, modify it, or ask for more names
- Grants final approval for the appointment
Once approved by the ACC, the DoPT issues an official notification of the appointment.
The ACC thus follows a structured and merit-based process involving empanelment, proposal preparation by ministries or DoPT, and final approval by the PM-led committee. However, strategic or political considerations, as well as last-minute changes, may sometimes influence the outcome, which leads to occasional surprises in high-level appointments.
Unexpected Alterations Dwarfing Long Awaited Postings
Regardless of the reasons, the development has created unease among senior IAS officers awaiting top-level appointments. With several key transitions expected in the coming weeks and months, officers now fear that even seemingly secure Secretary-level postings could face unexpected alterations until they officially assume charge.
