New Delhi

The association representing officers of the Central Secretariat Service Forum has appealed to the Prime Minister’s Office to expedite the implementation of the long-pending fourth cadre review of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), arguing that delays have severely affected career progression and promotions.

In a letter addressed to P K Mishra, the association sought his intervention to ensure the early finalisation of the review process, which officers say has remained pending for more than three-and-a-half years.

The CSS Forum stated that the prolonged delay has resulted in significant stagnation across various grades of the service, affecting thousands of officers serving in ministries and departments of the central government.

Concerns Over Career Stagnation

The association noted that CSS officers form a key part of the administrative framework of the Union government, contributing to policy formulation, coordination among ministries, programme implementation and institutional continuity.

In the letter, CSS Forum General Secretary Yatendra Chandela said timely cadre restructuring is essential for maintaining morale and ensuring a motivated workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of governance.

The association argued that the review has become increasingly important as the government pursues its long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Demand for Early Implementation

The CSS Forum requested that the Prime Minister’s Office facilitate the early approval and implementation of the fourth cadre review, saying such a move would strengthen the administrative machinery and address long-standing concerns over delayed promotions.

According to the association, more than 13,000 CSS officers are currently serving across central ministries and departments. Existing rules provide for a cadre review every five years.

Officials associated with the forum said that around 23 ministries and departments have already projected a requirement for 2,601 additional CSS posts, and the number could exceed 5,000 once responses from all departments are compiled.

Review Pending Since 2018

CSS officers pointed out that the fourth cadre review became due in 2018, but the review committee was constituted only in 2022 by the Department of Personnel and Training.

Forum representatives said the committee has reportedly submitted its recommendations and that officers are now awaiting approval and implementation.

They also noted that cadre reviews of several other government services have already been completed, while many CSS officers have retired without receiving promotions that could have arisen from the pending restructuring exercise.

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The first, second and third cadre reviews of the service were carried out in 2003, 2008 and 2013, respectively, with the recommendations of the third review eventually implemented in 2017. The association says the delay in the latest review has created uncertainty and frustration among officers awaiting career advancement.