scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Thursday, April 30, 2026
TopicJoint Secretary

Topic: Joint Secretary

Facing a shortage, Modi govt tweaks empanelment criteria to attract more IAS officers to Centre

As of 2023, only 442 IAS officers were working with Centre against required strength of 1,469. The latest policy applies to IAS officers from batches 2010 and after.

After an all-time low representation, 60% of new joint secretaries are from IAS

With 25 of 41 new joint secretaries from the IAS, officials say the move suggests a recalibration of approach to central postings.

Only 33% joint secretaries belong to IAS. How the service’s dominance has eroded under Modi govt

RTI response reveals that only 80 of 236 joint secretaries at Centre are from IAS. Officers attribute trend to deliberate attempt under Modi govt to cut the service down to size.

Why an Uttarakhand HC order may put Centre in a spot over contentious 360-degree appraisal process

HC directed Centre to provide all records on empanelment of IFS Sanjeev Chaturvedi, who claimed that despite having requisite qualifications, he was denied promotion to joint secy post.

I was an IAS officer for 36 yrs, not a dull moment. Sanjeev Sanyal got civil services wrong

I will challenge anyone and everyone who claims that the civil services don’t offer avenues for growth and innovation.

‘Outsider tag, hostile IAS lobby’ to blame? Modi govt sees 2nd lateral hire exit since 2020

Of 12 domain experts hired for the civil services as lateral entrants in 2019 & 2021, 9 are in service. There's also been a dip in applications for lateral entry posts.

Under Modi govt, IAS appointments to joint & additional secy posts have shrunk by over 50%

Civil servants say this fall is part of a growing trend that reflects the government's attempt to break 'babu dominance' and address the crunch of IAS officers available for deputation.

Loopholes have failed the new 360° assessment to empanel IAS officers. It needs reforms

The govt needs to encourage officers with experience to bring their perspective to the table. So far, only 'non-preferred cadres' have been chosen.

Arun Goel, lateral entrant joint secretary in commerce ministry, resigns after a year

Arun Goel, former vice-president of ShopClues, had joined the govt last year, but DoPT officials say he left due to ‘bureaucratic tangles’.

More reform for IAS officers as Modi govt adds new criteria to pick joint secretaries

Starting with the 2007 batch, IAS officers can’t join the central govt as joint secretaries straight from their state cadres, a DoPT office memorandum said.

On Camera

Eight journalists, four states and 1 UT—how ThePrint covered 2026 Assembly elections

As I read through the reports by these journalists, it became clear that ThePrint’s coverage was more about depth than breadth.

Adani’s giant copper plant hits technical setbacks in first year

The 500,000 tonne-per-year plant produced just 94,000 tonnes of refined copper from April 2025 to February this year.

Indian drone tech company ideaForge signs MoU with Japanese firm to develop next-gen AI powered drones

By pairing Indian drone engineering with Japanese semiconductor expertise, the two firms aim to develop more advanced autonomous systems tailored to both defence & commercial use.

Trump, Netanyahu’s Iran gamble: The regime change rebound

American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.