Government Reveals Major Administrative Gaps: 2,834 Vacancies in IAS, IPS, and IFS
The Union Govt reports 2,834 vacancies across IAS (1,300), IFS (1,029), and IPS (505) as of Jan 2025. Uttar Pradesh and AGMUT cadres show significant gaps. Data includes 2020–2024 recruitment stats for SC, ST, and OBC categories. Authorized IAS strength stands at 6,877 with 5,577 in position.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh provided a comprehensive update on the personnel strength of India’s premier administrative wings. The data reveals a significant gap between the authorized strength and the number of officers currently in position across the country.
Service-Wide Vacancy Breakdown (As of Jan 1, 2025)
According to the latest Civil List, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) faces the most acute shortage:
| Service | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | 1,300 |
| Indian Forest Service (IFS) | 1,029 |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | 505 |
Cadre Highlights: Strength vs. Officers in Position
The national sanctioned strength across all cadres stands at 6,877 for the IAS, 5,099 for the IPS, and 3,193 for the IFS. However, the actual number of officers in position falls short in nearly every region:
-
Uttar Pradesh: Holds the highest sanctioned IAS strength (652) but operates with only 571 officers.
-
AGMUT Cadre: Faces a notable gap with only 406 IAS officers in position against an authorized strength of 542.
-
West Bengal: Has 303 IAS officers in position against a sanctioned 378.
-
Madhya Pradesh: Operates with 391 IAS officers against a sanctioned strength of 459.
Diversity in Recruitment (2020–2024)
The government also detailed the appointment of Direct Recruits from reserved categories over the last five Civil Services Examinations (CSE 2020 to CSE 2024):
| Category | IAS Appointed | IPS Appointed | IFS Appointed |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBC | 245 | 255 | 231 |
| SC | 135 | 141 | 95 |
| ST | 67 | 71 | 48 |
Official Statement
The figures were released by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the cadre-wise details are compiled based on the official Civil List as of the start of 2025.