New Delhi: The Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum has submitted a representation to the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Mishra, seeking urgent intervention for the expeditious finalization of the 4th Cadre Review of CSS, which became due in 2018 and remains pending for more than eight years.
The Forum, through its recent public communication, highlighted that although the Cadre Review Committee was constituted by DoPT in October 2022, the review is yet to be finalized. This prolonged delay has resulted in stagnation in career progression and adversely affected the morale of thousands of CSS officers.
The Forum also drew attention to a recent DoPT communication stating that sustained reforms and enhanced transparency have enabled the completion of 60 cadre reviews of Central Group ‘A’ Services and 117 cadre reviews of All India Services since 2014, significantly reducing pendency. However, the cadre review of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), which forms the administrative backbone of the Government of India, continues to remain pending.
The representation further pointed out that CSS has a strength of over 13,000 officers serving across Ministries and Departments. As per RTI replies, around 23 Ministries/Departments have projected a requirement of 2,601 additional CSS posts, which is expected to exceed 5,000 posts after receipt of inputs from all Ministries.
The Forum expressed concern that while cadre reviews of several other services have been finalized, thousands of CSS officers have retired without receiving due promotions because of the prolonged delay. It emphasized that timely cadre review is essential for effective manpower planning, administrative efficiency, fair career progression, and realization of the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The CSS Forum has requested immediate approval and finalization of the 4th Cadre Review and has further urged that future cadre reviews of CSS be undertaken through the CRD Division to ensure timely and expeditious completion.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Timely finalization of the 4th CSS Cadre Review is essential for fair career progression, stronger governance, and a motivated workforce serving the nation.” – CSS Forum
-BI Bureau
