Parliamentary report calls for stricter actions against IAS officers on failing to file property returns.
A recent parliamentary report has raised concerns over the failure of numerous Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to submit their mandatory Immovable Property Returns (IPRs), urging stricter penalties and corrective measures.
The report, presented on March 27 by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice, highlights that 91 IAS officers did not file their IPRs in 2024, while 73 officers failed to do so in 2023. Due to non-compliance, vigilance clearance was denied to 15 officers in 2023, 12 in 2022, and 14 in 2021, preventing them from securing key administrative positions.
To address this issue, the committee recommended establishing a centralized compliance monitoring system within the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), along with a dedicated task force to track submissions. The panel also suggested imposing penalties on officers who miss deadlines, including automatic escalation procedures after repeated reminders to ensure compliance.
Additionally, the report highlights a significant shortage of IAS officers, describing it as a serious governance challenge. Out of the authorized cadre strength of 6,858 officers, only 5,542 are currently in service, leaving a shortfall of 1,316 officers. To address this gap, the committee recommended accelerating recruitment and implementing the Chandramouli Committee’s proposals for increasing direct recruit intake.
To improve transparency in IAS appointments, the panel also proposed developing an online tracking system for state governments to monitor vacancies, especially in the promotion quota. It suggested imposing penalties—such as withholding promotion considerations—on states that fail to meet deadlines for filling vacancies.
These recommendations are part of the 145th report on the Demands for Grants (2025–26) for the DoPT, aiming to enhance administrative efficiency, strengthen governance, and improve accountability among IAS officers.
