Question : STAFF STRENGTH OF IFS

(a) Whether the representation of SCs, STs and OBCs has not reached the level of 15%, 7.5% and 27% respectively reserved for them in Indian Foreign Service ;

(b) If so, the reasons therefor ;

(c) the total number of `sanctioned posts` in respect of Indian Foreign Service, (including those posts of IFS which are conferred on officers on promotion to certain grades in this Ministry) ;

(d) the number of persons belonging to (i) SC, (ii) ST, (iii) OBC and (iv) General categories working against such posts including their respective percentage to such posts as on July 2, 1997 as ascertained as per the instructions contained under para 5 of DOPT OM No. 36012/2/96-Estt (Res) dated July 2, 1997; and

(e) the vacancies occurred during 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 and year-wise number of such vacancies/posts filled by persons from SCs, STs, OBCs and General Categories ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)


(a) The representation of SCs, STs and OBCs, at present in Indian Foreign Service is 15.95%, 7.64% and 4.58% respectively.

(b) Reservation for OBCs was introduced in 1993 and recruitment of officers belonging to OBC category commenced from the Civil Services Examination 1994. Thus, representation of officers belonging to OBC category has not yet reached the prescribed percentage of 27%.

(c) The total number of `sanctioned posts` in respect of Indian Foreign Service is 617.

(d) As on 2nd July 1997, the figures are as follows : (Total : 582)

(i)	SC	: 89 (15.29%)

(ii)	ST	: 38 (6.52%)

(iii)	OBC	: 8 (1.37%)

(iv)	General	: 447 (76.80%)

(e) The figures are as follows : 
Fresh vacancies occurred Posts filled
Year SC ST OBC General SC ST OBC General
1997	3	1	3	7	3	1	3	6+
1998	3	1	4	8	3 1	4	8
1999 1 1 3 5 1 1 2+ 5
2000 - 1 3 4 - 1 3 4
2001 - 2 7 9 - 2 7 9 
+	One candidate both in 1997 and 1999, who were selected, did not ultimately	join the Service.