There appears to be no let-up in the trend of senior IAS officers from the Uttar Pradesh cadre opting for voluntary retirement (VRS) and resignation.
In recent years, nearly a dozen IAS officers have left the service, and this number is expected to increase further in the coming months. Despite this, the state government has not yet issued any clear response to this trend.
The latest case involves Anamika Singh, a 2004 batch IAS officer, who has applied for VRS. A senior official confirmed that her application is under process and clarified that she had not applied for a central deputation.
However, administrative sources say that discontent is growing among several Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officers regarding their under-representation at the central level. Officers claim that many proposals for central deputation are not being approved by the state government and that the empanelment process at the Centre is also becoming more difficult.
Recently, Amod Kumar, a senior IAS officer of the 1995 batch, also resigned. Those who have previously taken VRS include Vikas Gothalwal (batch 2003), Vidya Bhushan (2008), G. Srinivasulu (2005), Rajiv Agarwal (1993), Mohammad Mustafa (1995), Rigzin Samphel (2003), Renuka Kumar (1987), and Juthika Patankar (1988). Rakesh Verma and RP Singh have also left the service.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Singh, a 2011 batch IAS officer, recently resigned. Notably, G. Srinivasulu later withdrew his VRS application and rejoined the service.
According to a senior IAS officer, “Most of the officers who received central deputation in recent months were posted in important locations like Varanasi or Ayodhya. Better coordination with the central government during these postings increased their chances of selection.”
Another officer said, “We regularly apply for central deputation, but the state government doesn’t grant permission, citing a shortage in the state cadre. This has stalled our career progression, which is very frustrating.”
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh IAS Association, which previously raised cadre-related issues with the government, has not commented on this matter publicly. For the past few years, the association has also been unable to hold its ‘Service Week,’ which used to be an important platform for officers to voice their concerns.
Senior officers say that during the annual general meeting of the IAS Association held during ‘Service Week,’ officers used to speak freely, but this is now a thing of the past.
Top state government officials, including Chief Secretary S.P. Goyal and Principal Secretary (Appointments) M. Devraj, have remained silent on the issue.