A Parliamentary committee has recommended imposing penalties or taking corrective actions against IAS officers who do not submit their property details within the given deadline.

In the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the 145th report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on the Demands for Grants (2025–26) states that 91 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers did not file their immovable property returns (IPRs) in 2024 and 73 the previous year. The report was presented in Parliament on March 27. In 2023, 15 IAS officers were denied vigilance clearance, which is necessary for certain posts, because they did not submit their IPRs (Immovable Property Returns) for the year. Similarly, 12 officers faced the same issue in 2022, and 14 in 2021.

The panel suggested setting up a centralised system to monitor compliance, ensuring that all IAS officers file their Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) on time. "This mechanism should involve the creation of a dedicated task force within the department responsible for tracking and filing the status of all officers. Additionally, the committee proposes to introduce penalties or corrective actions for non-compliance, including automatic escalation procedures for officers who fail to file their IPRs despite reminders," the report said. "This will strengthen accountability and ensure timely filing, making the process more robust and ensuring greater adherence to the requirements," it added. Out of the total authorised strength of 6,858 IAS officers (which includes 4,781 direct recruits and 2,077 promotees), 5,542 officers are currently serving. This includes 3,987 direct recruits and 1,555 promotees.

"The existing shortage of 1,316 IAS officers significantly impacts administrative efficiency and governance across various levels of the government. Given the urgency of filling these vacant posts, swift action is needed to enhance the recruitment process and meet the growing demands of public administration," the report said. The panel suggested that the Chandramouli Committee's report on the recruitment of direct IAS officers should be reviewed and implemented as soon as possible. The government is currently considering the recommendations made by the committee, led by C. Chandramouli, regarding the selection of IAS officers through the civil services examination. 

The Parliamentary Committee suggested that the DoPT should create an online portal where state governments can track and submit information about IAS promotion quota vacancies on time. "This platform would allow state governments to submit their proposals electronically, track the progress of their submissions, and receive automated reminders about deadlines," it said. The report suggested that the DoPT should introduce a penalty system for delayed submissions. For example, states that repeatedly miss deadlines could have their promotion quota considerations withheld. "This system would not only streamline the process but also incentivise prompt action, ensuring that the determination of vacancies and the subsequent promotion and selection processes occur without unnecessary delays," it added.