New Delhi, Dec 14: The Centre has asked all states to prioritize the nomination of women officers and those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) for key positions on central deputation to ensure adequate representation at the national level.
In a communique to chief secretaries of all states, the Ministry of Personnel sought nominations of officers who are unlikely to be recalled for at least two years on grounds of promotion. The nominated officers will be considered for appointments under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) and for the posts of Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) in central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and other central government organizations.
CVOs function as an extended arm of the Central Vigilance Commission to monitor and prevent corruption in government departments. “Sufficient names of women and SC and ST officers may be sponsored so that adequate representation can be provided to them,” the communique dated December 10 said, adding that details of any inquiry, complaint or proceeding affecting the vigilance status of applicants should also be forwarded.
The Personnel Ministry said the movement of officers from states to the Centre is vital for capacity building and for integrating state perspectives into national policymaking, as well as bringing a national outlook to state-level decision-making.
Referring to Central Deputation Reserve (CDR) data for IAS officers, the ministry said proper cadre management requires an adequate number of officers to be deputed to the Centre under the CSS. This, it said, would also ensure that every eligible officer gets an opportunity to serve at the Centre at least once at the middle management level.
States were further requested to ensure that officers, once placed on the offer list, remain available for consideration throughout the year. The ministry cautioned that withdrawal of an officer’s name after recommendation could result in debarment from central deputation, including foreign postings, for five years.
“The Government of India has been following a policy of debarring an officer for five years if he or she fails to join central deputation as per DoPT orders, either on personal grounds or due to refusal by the cadre to relieve the officer,” the communique issued by Manisha Saxena, Establishment Officer and Additional Secretary, DoPT, said.
The ministry also asked states not to forward the names of officers already debarred from central deputation. It said that from January 1, 2026, the nomination process for posts under the CSS, CVO positions in CPSEs and other organisations will be routed through a dedicated online portal.
The Centre usually invites nominations annually to fill key posts such as joint secretaries, directors, deputy secretaries and CVOs. A similar communication has also been sent to secretaries of all central government departments seeking recommendations for officers on central deputation. (Agencies)
