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Central Civil Services

Central Civil Services of India
भारत की केंद्रीय सिविल सेवाएं
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The Central Civil Services (CCS) encompass the various Civil Services of India that are exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Government of India. This is in contrast to the All India Services, which are common to both the central and state governments, or the state civil services, which fall under the purview of individual states.

The services with the most personnel in the entire Civil Services of India and also the Central Civil Services are with the Central Secretariat Service[a] and Indian Revenue Service (IT and C&CE).[b]

The Cadre Controlling Authority for each established Service is controlled by the respective Union government ministries of India. The higher-level positions in Central Civil Services are classified into Group A and Group B, both of which are gazetted.

History

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British India

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Main articles: Royal Commission on the Public Services in India and Imperial Secretariat Service

With the passing of the Government of India Act 1919, the Imperial Services headed by the Secretary of State for India, were split into two – All India Services and Central Services.[2]

The All India and Central Services (Group A) were designated as Central Superior Services as early as 1924.[3] From 1924 to 1934, Administration in India consisted of 10 All India Services (including Indian Education Service, Indian Medical Service) and 5 central departments, all under the control of Secretary of State for India, and 3 central departments under joint Provincial and Imperial Control.[3]

The Central Services was headed by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

Modern India

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The Group A officers are appointed by the President of India and appointments to Group B are made by the authorities specified by a general or special order of the President.

Nature, rules and deputations

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Rules and regulations

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The Central Civil Services (CCS) is run as per Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rule and all service members work under restrictions and rules of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. The Indian Railway Services work under Railway Services (Conduct) Rules of 1966.

The Central Civil Services also follows CCS (Commutation of Pension) Rules and has its own Recognition of Service Associations Rules 1993 and Leave Travel Concession Rules 1988.

The University Grants Commission (UGC), in a circular released in October 2018, directed central universities to adopt the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964 for professors of the university.

Deputations

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The members of Central Civil Services are eligible for deputation to state governments either on personal grounds or official approval from both Government of India Staffing Scheme of Government of India.

Performance review and dismissal

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The employees performance review is conducted under the Fundamental Rule (FR) 56 (J) and 56 (I), and also under Rule 48 (1) (b) of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, that gives "absolute right" to the appropriate authority to retire a government servant, "if it is necessary to do so in public interest".[4]

A government servant can be retired "in public interest" under Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965, as a penalty for possession of assets disproportionate to known source of income or for accepting gratification as a reward for doing or forbearing to do an official act.[5]

Recruitment

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The recruitment of the CCS (Group A) is made through Civil Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination, I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, Central Armed Police Forces of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). All promotions or empanelment in the CCS are either by Civil Services Board or by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Central Civil Services (Group A)

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The Central Services (Group A) are concerned with the administration of the Union Government.[6] All appointments to Central Civil Services (Group A) are made by the President of India.

Organised Service

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The attributes of an Organised Group ‘A’ Service (OGAS) are as follows

  • The highest cadre post is not below the Senior Administrative Grade (Level 14)
  • The service has all standard grades such as Junior Time Scale (Level 10), Senior Time Scale (Level 11), Junior Administrative Grade (Level 12), Non-Functional Selection Grade (Level 13) and Senior Administrative Grade (Level 14)
  • At least 50% of vacancies in Junior Time Scale (Level 10) are filled through Direct Recruitment
  • All vacancies above Junior Time Scale (Level 10) and up to Senior Administrative Grade (Level 14) are filled by promotion from the next lower Grade
CLASSIFICATION OF CENTRAL GROUP 'A' CIVIL SERVICES
Sl. No. Name of the Service[7] Organised / Non-Organised Participation in Central Staffing Scheme (CSS)[8] Cadre Controlling Authority[9] Total Cadre Strength (officially sanctioned)
NON- TECHNICAL SERVICES
1 Central Secretariat Service Organised Yes Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (DOPT) 13,016[c] (A,B)
2 Indian Foreign Service Organised Ministry of External Affairs ~ 4,600 (A,B)
3 Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Central Excise) Organised Yes Ministry of Finance 5,583
4 Indian Revenue Service (IT) Organised Yes Ministry of Finance 4,192
5 Indian Audit & Accounts Service Organised Yes Comptroller and Auditor General ~ 616
6 Indian Railway Management Service[d]
(Technical and Non-Technical) 		Organised Yes Ministry of Railways ~ 8,458
7 Indian Civil Accounts Service Organised Yes Ministry of Finance
8 Indian Defence Accounts Service Organised Yes Ministry of Defence ~ 660
9 Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service Organised Yes Ministry of Communications
10 Indian Postal Service Organised Yes Ministry of Communications ~ 574
11 Indian Defence Estates Service Organised Yes Ministry of Defence ~ 189
12 Indian Information Service Organised Yes Ministry of Information & Broadcasting ~ 475
13 Indian Trade Service Organised Yes Ministry of Commerce 191
14 Railway Protection Force Non-Organised Ministry of Railways
TECHNICAL SERVICES
15 Defence Research & Development Service Organised Ministry of Defence ~ 7256
16 Indian Telecommunications Service Organised Yes Ministry of Communications ~ 1690
17 Indian Ordnance Factories Service Organised Yes Ministry of Defence ~ 1760
18 Central Engineering Service (Roads) Organised Yes Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
19 Central Water Engineering Service Organised Yes Ministry of Jalshakti
20 Indian Defence Service of Engineers Organised Yes Ministry of Defence
21 Central Engineering Service (CPWD) Organised Yes Ministry of Urban Development
22 Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (CPWD) Organised
23 Border Roads Engineering Service Organised Ministry of Defence
24 Central Power Engineering Service Organised Yes Ministry of Power
25 Indian Supply Service Organised Yes
26 Indian Inspection Service Organised Yes
27 Indian Naval Armament Service Organised Ministry of Defence
28 Indian Broadcasting (Engineering) Service Organised Yes
29 P&T Building Works Service Organised
30 Central Architect Service (CPWD) Organised Ministry of Urban Development
31 Indian Radio Regulatory Service Organised Ministry of Communications
32 Indian Skill Development Service Non-Organised Ministry of Skill Development 263
HEALTH SERVICES
33 Central Health Services (General Duty Cadre) Organised Ministry of Health
34 Indian Ordnance Factory Health Service Organised
35 Indian Railways Health Service Organised Ministry of Railways
NATURAL SCIENCES (TECHNICAL) SERVICES
36 Central Geological Service Group 'A' Organised Ministry of Mines
37 Geological Survey of India Chemical Service Group 'A' Organised
38 Geological Survey of India Geophysical Service Group 'A' Organised
39 Geological Survey of India Engineering Service Group 'A' Organised
40 Indian Meteorological Service Non-Organised
OTHER SERVICES
41 Indian Legal Service Organised Ministry of Law & Justice
42 Indian Economic Service Organised Yes Ministry of Finance ~ 538
43 Indian Statistical Service Organised Yes Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation ~ 814
44 Indian Cost Accounts Service Organised Yes Ministry of Finance
45 Indian Corporate Law Service Organised Yes Ministry of Corporate Affairs ~ 291
46 Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service Organised Ministry of Defence
47 Survey of India Group 'A' Service Organised Ministry of Science & Technology
48 Defence Quality Assurance Service Organised Ministry of Defence
49 Indian Broadcasting (Programme) Service Organised Yes
50 Central Labour Service Organised Ministry of Labour & Employment ~ 340
CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES - SECURITY SERVICES
51 Indo Tibetan Border Police Organised[11] Ministry of Home Affairs ~ 1207[e]
52 Central Industrial Security Force Organised[11] Ministry of Home Affairs
53 Border Security Force Organised[11] Ministry of Home Affairs ~ 4065[f]
54 Central Reserve Police Force Organised[11] Ministry of Home Affairs
55 Sashastra Seema Bal (Combatised cadre) Organised[11] Ministry of Home Affairs

In 2019, based on the Bibek Debroy committee report of 2015, the Cabinet of India approved the plan to merge eight railway services. In 2022, the government released a gazette notification about the merger of existing eight services, which fall under the Central Civil Services, into a new Indian Railways Management Service (IRMS). The eight services includes Indian Railway Accounts Service, Indian Railway Personnel Service, Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers, Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers, Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers, Indian Railway Stores Service, and Indian Railway Traffic Service.[12]

The merged Indian Railways Management Service is again demerged into various specific services as of 2024.

Central Government Services (Group B)

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For Group B civil service posts only, the Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE) is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).[g][13] All appointments to Group B are made by the authorities specified by a general or special order of the President. [h][13]

Reforms and Challenges

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Reforms

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On December 2019, as per decision approved by Union Cabinet of India, a new Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) was created by merging eight existing Group A Indian Railway services in the Central Civil Services.

A new Indian Skill Development Service was created as technical cadre within the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Corruption and challenges

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In 2016, the Ministry of Finance for the first time, dismissed 72 and prematurely retired another 33 Indian Revenue Service officers for non-performance and on disciplinary grounds.[14][15][16][17][18] In 2019, Government of India dismissed 12 (IRS IT) and 15 (IRS Customs and Central Excise) officers for corruption and bribery charges.[19][20] In 2019, Department of Personnel and Training in Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions listed 284 Central Secretariat Service officers for performance audit by review panel headed by Cabinet Secretary of India.[21]

Supreme court cases, verdicts and directions

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In May 2025, Supreme Court of India upheld the organised service status of the Central Armed Police Forces. The judgement clarified that “for all intent and purposes, CAPFs belong to OGAS [Organised Group-A Services],"[11]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ As on year 2021, CSS cadre has a total strength of 12,500 members and is controlled by DOPT, Ministry of Personnel GOI. According to a PTI report published by ThePrint on 7 March 2024, the sanctioned strength of the CSS officers is 13,016.[1]
  2. ^ The Indian Revenue Service is not one entity and not one service. The two independent branches are controlled by two separate statutory bodies, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The IT and C&CE also have two different independent service associations. The total members are 4192 (Income Tax) and 5583 (Customs and Indirect Taxes).
  3. ^ According to a PTI report published by ThePrint on 7 March 2024, the sanctioned strength of the CSS officers is 13,016.[10]
  4. ^ Indian Railway Management Service is a single service, but includes eight sub-cadres: Traffic, Accounts, Personnel, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Signal & Telecommunication, and Stores. Recruitment for the first four is through the Civil Services Exam, while the remaining are recruited through the Engineering Services Exam. .
  5. ^ This is for ITBP Executive Group A (excl. IPS).
  6. ^ This is for BSF Executive Group A (excl. IPS).
  7. ^ The Schedule of Central Civil Services for Group 'B'. The complete list as per Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Govt. of India
  8. ^ The Schedule of Central Civil Services for Group 'B'. The complete list as per Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Govt. of India

References

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  1. ^ "Central Secretariat Service officers take out 'march' to protest against delay in promotions". ThePrint. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  2. ^ Goel, S.L. (2008). Public Personnel Administration : Theory and Practice. Deep and Deep Publications, 2008. ISBN 9788176293952.
  3. ^ a b Maheshwari, Shriram (1992). Problems and Issues in Administrative Federalism. Allied Publishers. ISBN 9788170233428.
  4. ^ "Centre to weed out inefficient, corrupt employees, asks depts to review service records of staff". The Economic Times. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Odisha asks Centre to compulsory retire Indian Forest Service officer for graft". The Times of India. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-04. Retrieved 2017-05-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02adm/OMUpdationoflistdated03.04.2017.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  8. ^ "EASY".
  9. ^ https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02csd/CADRE%20REVIEW%20GUIDELINESnWSzL.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  10. ^ "Central Secretariat Service officers take out 'march' to protest against delay in promotions". ThePrint. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "CAPFs Constitute Organised Group A Services, Rules Supreme Court, Order May Limit IPS Deputation". CNN-News18. Archived from the original on 2025-07-25. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  12. ^ Thakur, Rajesh Kumar (13 February 2022). "Indian Railway merges eight service cadres into one newly created cadre". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  13. ^ a b Complete Civil Service Schedule of the Central Civil Services Group B of India." Central Civil Service Group B - Government of India, 20 April 2020.
  14. ^ "For good governance, Finance Ministry fires 72 tax officers, retires 33 more". Business Standard. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Government takes strict action against defaulting/non performing tax officials/officers". Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Absent for years, government sacks 11 IRS officers". The Indian Express. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  17. ^ "108 IRS officers under CBI probe for alleged corruption: Government". The Economic Times. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  18. ^ "CBI seizes 2 crore in old currency from city residence of IRS officer". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  19. ^ "Govt sacks 12 senior I-T officers including a senior officer for corruption". Business Standard. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Govt Sacks 15 Senior Customs, Central Excise Officers Over Corruption, Bribery Charges". Outlook. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Modi govt to retire Central Secretariat Service officers now, 284 of them under scanner". The Print. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
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News

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