Central Civil Services


The Central Civil Services are concerned directly with the union non-political executive administration and is the permanent bureaucracy of the federal Government of India.
Most of the specialized fields in civil services in India belong to the central services. The Central Civil Services are classified into Group A and Group B, both of which are gazetted.
In 2015, the Government of India approved the formation of Indian Skill Development Service. Further, in 2016, the Government of India approved the formation of Indian Enterprise Development Service.
The recruitment of the CCS is made through Civil Services Examination, Engineering Services Examination, Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination, I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, Combined Medical Services Examination, Central Armed Police Forces of Union Public Service Commission. All promotions or empanelment in the CCS are either by Civil Services Board or by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

History

British India

With the passing of the Government of India Act 1919, the Imperial Services headed by the Secretary of State for India, were split into two – All India Services and Central Services.
The All India and Central Services were designated as Central Superior Services as early as 1924. From 1924 to 1934, Administration in India consisted of 10 All India Services and 5 central departments, all under the control of Secretary of State for India, and 3 central departments under joint Provincial and Imperial Control.
The Central Services was headed by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

Modern India

The Group A officers are appointed by the President of India and appointments to Group B are made by the authorities specified by a general or special order of the President.

Central Services (Group A)

The Central Civil Services are concerned with the administration of the Union Government. All appointments to Central Civil Services are made by the President of India.

Central Services (Group B)

For Group B posts, the Combined Graduate Level Examination is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission.
All appointments to Group B are made by the authorities specified by a general or special order of the President.

Reforms and Challenges

In 2016, the Ministry of Finance for the first time, dismissed 72 and prematurely retired another 33 Indian Revenue Service officers for non-performance and on disciplinary grounds. In 2019, Government of India dismissed 12 and 15 officers for corruption and bribery charges. In 2019, Department of Personnel and Training in Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions listed 284 Central Secretariat Service officers for performance audit by review panel headed by Cabinet Secretary of India.