24 JKAS Officers Await IAS Induction as High Court Reviews Seniority Dispute

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, has identified 24 vacancies for Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers to be inducted into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who oversees the General Administration Department (GAD), provided this update to the J&K Legislative Assembly.

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“The MHA has allocated 18 vacancies for 2019, five for 2020, and one for 2021,” the CM said while responding to PDP MLA Mir Muhammad Fayaz.

Addressing concerns over the delay in induction, the CM cited a ruling by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on January 25, 2023, which nullified the JKAS seniority list—an essential document for determining eligible officers. He stated that the J&K government has since challenged the CAT order in the High Court.

“The case—WP (C) No 2772/2023 along with WP (C) No 895/2023 and WP (C) No 1182/2023—was heard, and the High Court reserved its judgment on September 26, 2024. The induction process will proceed once the verdict is announced,” the CM explained.

Regarding a proposal to reinstate the former J&K IAS cadre, the CM clarified that J&K remains part of the joint Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre.

Responding to a question from Peoples Conference (PC) MLA Sajad Gani Lone on enhancing promotion opportunities for JKAS officers, the CM highlighted a recent cadre review. As per SRO 398, issued on August 16, 2024, the cadre strength has been increased from 1,040 to 1,160 posts to improve administrative efficiency and career growth.

The revised structure includes:

Super Time Scale: 29 posts
Special Scale: 171 posts
Selection Grade: 300 posts
Time Scale: 500 posts (250 junior scale, 225 departmental feeding services, and 25 technical quota)

This restructuring resulted in an increase of 53 Time Scale posts, 31 Selection Grade posts, and 20 Special Scale posts.

To further streamline career progression, a committee headed by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) Shaleen Kabra has been set up, the CM added.