The Union Cabinet granted approval to the cadre review and restructuring proposal for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), aimed at increasing the cadre strength by approximately 215 within the next five years. This decision is driven by the growing influence of India on the global stage and the need to meet increasing demands. It comes after nearly two decades since the last cadre restructuring.

The restructuring is akin to the revamping of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) cadre during the liberalization era of the 1990s, coinciding with the expansion of the Indian economy. Sources indicate that this restructuring will lead to an augmented number of IFS officers at the entry-level and the creation of additional posts. The review was recommended approximately a year ago by the Cadre Review Committee, following a long-standing demand. The last IFS cadre review and restructuring occurred in 2004.

Key factors considered by the Cabinet include the requirement for more diplomatic personnel to manage India's engagement with various international initiatives like the Global Biofuel Alliance, International Solar Alliance, and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and International Yoga Day. These initiatives have gained global acceptance and require a more significant diplomatic presence.

Sources reveal that the external affairs ministry, in its proposal, highlighted the significant increase in the average number of visits by senior government officials to countries hosting Indian missions. This number has surged from approximately 9-10 visits per year in 2014 to nearly 35-40 in 2023. This underscores the necessity for a bolstered diplomatic corps to manage India's evolving international commitments effectively.

An official said, "So, the Indian missions need more specialised hands there and also at the headquarters in New Delhi."

Earlier this year, the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs presented a recommendation to the government, calling for a substantial augmentation of India's diplomatic workforce. This proposal aligns with India's strategic intent to assume a prominent role on the global stage.

The committee's rationale was underpinned by an acknowledgment of the acute understaffing within the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) when compared to numerous other nations. Their report highlighted a striking statistic: out of the foreign ministry's overall workforce of 4,888, the 1,011 IFS officers constituted just 22.5%. This raised concerns about the adequacy of human resources to effectively support India's burgeoning international engagements and responsibilities.

Image source: ANI