NEW DELHI, OCT 5: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has stepped up monitoring of officers belonging to the AGMUT cadre, directing all concerned segments to report within 48 hours any arrest, criminal case, adverse court order or action initiated by investigative agencies against IAS, IPS, DANICS and DANIPS officers.
The directive was issued during a review meeting chaired by a senior MHA official, amid concerns over delays in reporting cases involving officers to the ministry, sources said.
The ministry has specifically sought prompt reporting of actions initiated by agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Disciplinary Cases to Be Filed by October 15
As part of the review, all AGMUT segments have been asked to furnish complete details and supporting documents relating to pending disciplinary proceedings by October 15.
The submissions are required to clearly indicate whether a case is at the pre-charge-sheet or post-charge-sheet stage.
The MHA has asked departments to submit a comprehensive statement of facts, chronology of events, authenticated copies of relied-upon documents, witness lists, draft charge-sheets and a specific recommendation regarding the proposed major or minor penalty.
Departments have also been directed to provide reasons for initiating disciplinary proceedings. Incomplete proposals returned by the ministry are required to be resubmitted within 15 days after necessary corrections.
Strict Review of Prolonged Leave
The ministry has separately directed AGMUT segments to undertake closer scrutiny of officers remaining on prolonged leave.
Authorities have been asked to verify leave accounts, the nature and duration of leave, extensions granted and the place of stay of the concerned officers.
The MHA has also stressed that salaries should be released only for periods covered by duly sanctioned leave. Any excess payment made to officers is to be identified and recovered in accordance with applicable rules.
Ladakh, Puducherry, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh have been specifically asked to verify leave records and initiate recovery wherever irregular payments are detected.
Cases involving unexplained prolonged absence or failure to resume duty despite repeated directions may also invite disciplinary proceedings under the applicable service rules.
Training Exemptions to Face Greater Scrutiny
The MHA has also issued directions concerning mandatory training of officers, stating that exemptions should be allowed only under genuinely exceptional circumstances.
Each AGMUT segment has been asked to establish an internal mechanism for tracking mandatory training requirements.
Officers approaching eligibility for promotion are to be relieved for mandatory training on priority so that training-related deficiencies do not delay their career progression.
Arunachal Pradesh Asked to Expedite IPS Induction Proposal
The Arunachal Pradesh Government has been directed to expedite its proposal concerning the induction of eligible State Police Service officers into the Indian Police Service (IPS) against the 2025 Select List.
The proposal is to be processed and forwarded to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) without unnecessary delay.
J&K Directed to Complete APARs for IAS, IPS Induction
In a significant direction concerning Jammu and Kashmir, the MHA has asked the administration to complete the collection of Annual Performance Assessment Reports (APARs) and prepare all necessary documentation for pending proposals relating to the induction of officers into the IAS and IPS.
The J&K administration has been advised not to wait for the Centre to finalise vacancies before completing the preparatory work.
The proposals should remain ready for immediate submission to the UPSC once the number of available vacancies is determined.
Recruitment Backlogs Also Under Review
The MHA has further directed all AGMUT segments to ensure continuous direct recruitment at the entry levels of the State Civil and Police Services.
The departments have also been asked to clear existing recruitment backlogs to ensure adequate availability of officers in the respective services.
The latest directions underline the Centre’s effort to strengthen administrative accountability, disciplinary monitoring, personnel management and timely reporting across the AGMUT cadre, while ensuring that pending service and induction-related matters are processed within prescribed timelines.
