Special Recruitment Drives to fill up the Backlog Reserved Vacancies – Govt Reply on 8.8.2024

The Central Government informed the Rajya Sabha that various departments have been directed to fill up the backlog of reserved vacancies through special recruitment drives. As of August 1, 2024, there are 82 Secretaries, 110 Additional Secretaries, and 231 Joint Secretaries currently serving under the Central Secretariat Service (CSS).

Special Recruitment Drives to fill up the Backlog Reserved Vacancies

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2045
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2024)

PROPORTION OF SC, ST, OBC AND MINORITY OFFICERS IN GOVERNMENT

2045. SHRI MUKUL BALKRISHNA WASNIK:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that there is a huge backlog in the recruitment of SC, ST, OBC and PwD employees in the Central Government services at different levels;

(b) if so, the details thereof and steps taken to fill up the backlog; and

(c) the total number of Secretaries, Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries along with their current assignment in the Government of India and the proportion of SC, ST OBC and Minority officers therein?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES
AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (c): Occurrence and filling of vacancies, along with backlog reserved vacancies, is a continuous process. Instructions have been issued to all Ministries/Departments of the Central Government to constitute an In-House Committee for identification of backlog reserved vacancies, to study the root cause of such vacancies, to initiate measures to remove the factors causing such vacancies and to fill them up through Special Recruitment Drives.

Each Ministry/Department of the Central Government is required to designate an officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary and above, as Liaison Officer, to ensure due compliance of the orders and instructions pertaining to reservation. Further, each Ministry/Department is required to set up a Special Reservation Cell under the direct control of the Liaison Officer to assist her/him in discharge of duties.

In order to fill up the posts of Secretary, Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Government of India under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS), the officers of various services participating under the CSS are considered for empanelment/retention to hold these posts. These posts are deputation posts and are not cadre post of any service.

As on 01.08.2024, 82 Secretaries, 110 Additional Secretaries and 231 Joint Secretaries are working under CSS. A Secretary to the Government of India is the administrative head of the Ministry/Department, who is the principal adviser of the Minister on all matters of policy and administration within his/her Ministry/ Department. Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary is normally vested with the maximum measure of independent functioning and responsibility in respect of the business falling within his/her wing, subject to the overall responsibility of the Secretary for the administration of the Department.

View the Rajya Sabha Q&A pdf