India currently has 1,177 IFS officers: Govt in Parliament

India has a total of 1,177 Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers at present, the government has announced in Parliament.In a written reply tabled before the House, Minister of State (MoS) in Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Kirti Vardhan Singh, said the sanctioned strength of Indian Foreign Service officers is 1,177.

The Ministry was responding to a query on the number of vacancies/shortage in staff in various Indian Missions across the world. The government said, “Currently, 6,277 officers and officials -- including local staff – are serving in 218 missions and posts abroad.”

“The requirement of manpower changes depending upon varying workload from time to time,” it added.

The government further mentioned in its reply that the Ministry of External Affairs regularly reviews the requirement of manpower at various levels in missions and posts abroad as well as at the headquarters and takes appropriate action.

The government was also asked about the number of Indian diplomats who are posted in key multilateral organisations -- including but not limited to the World Trade Organization, United Nations, ASEAN and the EU; and whether any of India’s embassies or consulates are headed by IFS officers.

The government stated in its reply that as on date, there are 49 IFS officers who are posted to Indian missions handling key multilateral organisations. Currently, two Consulates General of India are being headed by two IFS officers, it added.