A recent administrative development has addressed a long-standing issue concerning an appointment to the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre in Tripura. The case centered on an officer, who was initially recommended and included in the 2017 Select List for promotion to the IAS. However, a hurdle arose when it was noted that the officer had already reached the age of superannuation and was no longer a member of the State Civil Service, a prerequisite for such an an appointment under existing regulations. This led to the initial decision not to notify his appointment.
Aggrieved by this, the officer took the matter to the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The Tribunal, after reviewing the case, issued a directive to the authorities to re-examine the situation thoroughly. In compliance with the Tribunal’s order, a resolution has now been reached: the officer will be considered to have been notionally appointed to the IAS Cadre of Tripura, effectively dating his appointment no later than that of his immediate junior from the same 2017 Select List. This decision underscores the importance of legal and administrative review in ensuring fair and just outcomes in public service appointments.
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No. 14015/29/2018-AIS(I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances \& Pensions
Department of Personnel \& Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 23.05.2025
ORDER
WHEREAS, Central Government in consultation with the State Government of Tripura had determined 06 (six) vacancies to be filled through promotion from State Civil Services officers of Tripura to the IAS Cadre from the Select List of 2017.
AND WHEREAS, the Selection Committee Meeting (SCM) for preparation of Select List of 2017 was convened on 08.02.2022 by UPSC.
AND WHEREAS, Shri Rajendra Kumar Noatia was considered by the Selection Committee and was recommended for the appointment by promotion to the IAS Cadre for the Select List of 2017. The name of the officer was placed at SI. No. 4.
AND WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Selection Committee were agreed to by the State Government of Tripura, the Central Government and finally approved by the UPSC on 14.03.2022.
AND WHEREAS, upon receiving the approval of the UPSC on the recommendations of the Selection Committee, this Department notified the Select List of 2017 vide Notification No. 14015/29/2018-AIS(I)-A dated 15.03.2022 wherein the name of Shri Rajendra Kumar Noatia was mentioned at SI. No. 4 in the Select List of 2017.
AND WHEREAS, this Department had also notified appointments of unconditionally included officers therein and who were members of State Civil Service (SCS) at the relevant point of time vide Notification No. 14015/29/2018-AIS(I)-B dated 15.03.2022.
AND WHEREAS, while considering the appointment of SCS officers included in the Select List of 2017, it was observed that Shri Rajendra Kumar Noatia (DoB: 23.11.1961), included at SI. No. 4 in Select List of 2017 had ceased to be a member of the State Civil Service, after attaining the age of superannuation therein.
AND WHEREAS, it was observed that in terms of Regulation 9(1) of IAS (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1955, only a member of the State Civil Service could be appointed to IAS.
AND WHEREAS, in view of the above provision, the appointment of Shri Rajendra Kumar Noatia to IAS could not be notified.
AND WHEREAS, aggrieved from not being appointed to the IAS, Shri Rajendra Kumar Noatia filed an OA No. 236/2023 before the Ld. CAT, Guwahati Bench.AND WHEREAS, Ld. CAT, vide order dated 18.03.2025 has directed the following:
“7. In view of the above, with the consent of both sides, the instant O.A. is disposed of at this stage with a direction upon the respondent authorities/ competent authority to examine the case of the applicant and consider him and issue detail speaking order within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this Order.”
NOW THEREFORE, in pursuance of order dated 18.03.2025 of Ld. CAT, Guwahati Bench in OA No. 236/2023, Shri Rajendra Kumar Noatia (DoB: 23.11.1961), will be deemed to have been notionally appointed to the IAS Cadre of Tripura on the basis of inclusion of his name at SI. No. 4 in the Select List of 2017 not later than his immediate junior Nagendra Debbarma (DoB: 28.11.1964) appointed to IAS from the same Select List of 2017 vide Notification No. 14015/29/2018-AIS(I)-B dated 15.03.2022.
(By order and in the name of the President).
(Sanjay Kumar Chaurasia)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
(P): 23093063
(E): uss1@nic.in
Copy to:
- The Chief Secretary, Govt. of Tripura, Agartala. The State Government is requested to take further necessary action with regard to implementation of the order of Hon’ble Tribunal expeditiously.
- Shri Rajendra Kumar Noatia through Chief Secretary, Govt. of Tripura, Agartala.
- The Accountant General, Government of Tripura, Agartala.
- The Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi.
- EO \&AS, DoPT, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi.
- Joint Secretary (Training), DoPT, Old JNU Campus, New Delhi
Internal Distribution:
US(AIS.II)/US (AIS.III)/US (EO-PR)/US(EO-CM)/US(AVD-I)/Hindi Section- with request to translate and send on email uss1@nic.in