New rules on appraisal of IAS, IPS officers

The Government has revised the new All India Services (Performance Appraisal Report) rules, superseding the rules framed in 2007.

The 722-page document covers what was earlier called assessment or CR (confidential reports) of the performance of the IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers in the new electronic format.

It also incorporates various circulars issued from time to time like one that provides for destruction of the personal dossiers of the officers after two years of death or retirement unless the concerned officer seeks the CR dossier for his own record after the normal retention period is over. Only the dossiers of those retired in public interest shall not be destroyed for five years.

The document clarifies that the rules framed in 2007 waived confidentiality of the appraisal report as it requires report communicated to the officer concerned to make representation to the appropriate authority.

The performance appraisal report is required to be filed every year and it also takes into consideration the self-appraisal by the concerned officer. If the report for a financial year is not recorded by December 31, the officer may be assessed on the basis of the overall record or selfassessment.

The rules lay down who will write these reports and who will be reviewing these reports, fixing the timelines.

The officer shall also be electronically communicated the appraisal report, including overall grade and assessment of integrity, to help him represent his case but in writing to the accepting authority only in 15 days.