In a first, HPSC to hold exam for entry into IAS

Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 19

In a first, non-HCS officers wanting to join the prestigious IAS will have to appear in the written test to be conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) — a move aimed at instilling transparency in the recruitment process.

The Haryana Government has asked the Group A officers to apply to the HPSC, which would soon come out with the modalities for the conduct of first written test for entry into the IAS.

After written examination, the HPSC would prepare a panel of candidates, five times the number of vacancies, in order of merit to be sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for final selection.

Till now, nepotism ruled the roost in the elevation of non-HCS officers to the IAS with accusing fingers bring raised at the kin of top politicians being included in panel sent to the UPSC over the years.

Subhash Lamba, president of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh (SKS), said the new institutional mechanism would provide a level playing field to all eligible officers to enter the prestigious IAS.

Currently, there are three ways to get into the IAS. First, there is direct recruitment by the UPSC on the basis of all-India examination. Second, the eligible HCS officers can be promoted after stipulated number of years of government service. Third, Group A non-HCS officers with “outstanding merit” can also be promoted to the IAS.

Sources said currently Haryana had a sanctioned strength of 205 IAS officers of which 62 could be through promotions either from the HCS or from the non-HCS officers. As many as nine officers could be elevated to the IAS from the non-HCS category.

The exact number of vacancies to be filled through written test by HPSC would be notified soon.