India, Telangana face critical shortage of civil servants

India’s top civil services are grappling with a serious shortage of officers, a challenge that is increasingly affecting governance and public service delivery. As of January 1, 2025, over 1,300 posts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) remain vacant. The gap in the Indian Police Service (IPS) stands at 505 posts, while the Indian Forest Service (IFS) has 1,029 unfilled positions.

The government has approved 6,877 IAS posts, 5,099 IPS posts, and 3,193 IFS posts nationwide. Yet, the actual number of officers working falls far short, leaving many key positions at the Centre and in the states unstaffed. This shortage slows decision-making and hampers the efficiency of public services. Large states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra are already struggling to maintain full strength, while smaller Northeastern states face even greater challenges due to higher vacancy rates relative to their sanctioned cadre. Law enforcement, development projects, and welfare schemes are directly affected.

Telangana presents a unique case. Since the state’s formation in 2014, it has expanded rapidly from 10 districts to 33. This growth has outpaced the availability of officers. As of early 2026, Telangana has 218 sanctioned IAS posts, but only around 174 officers are in position, leaving a shortage of 44. In the IPS, five posts are vacant out of 139, while the IFS faces a larger gap, with only 60 of 81 sanctioned positions filled.

The shortage has led to a “double-charge” system, where senior IAS officers handle multiple departments simultaneously. This increases stress and delays decision-making. Retirements of experienced officers, including Principal Secretaries and Special Chief Secretaries, have created a “wisdom gap,” leaving junior officers to manage major responsibilities earlier in their careers. At times, IPS officers have been temporarily assigned to roles traditionally held by IAS officers, raising legal questions and prompting High Court intervention.

To address the gaps, the Telangana government is promoting State Civil Service (Group-I) officers into IAS and IPS ranks and appointing non-cadre officers where rules permit. The state is also pressing the Centre and the Department of Personnel and Training for a fresh cadre review, arguing that even 218 IAS officers are insufficient for a state with 33 districts and a fast-growing urban center like Hyderabad.

Experts say that India’s rapid population growth, expanding welfare programs, and increasingly complex governance demand a strong and adequately staffed civil service. Without sufficient officers, workloads rise, decisions are delayed, and citizens feel the impact on services. Filling vacant positions is not merely a bureaucratic task; it is essential for maintaining effective governance and ensuring development, law and order, and timely delivery of welfare schemes.

For India and Telangana, addressing the shortage of civil servants is an urgent priority. Strengthening institutions and ensuring enough officers are in place is key to delivering governance that meets the needs of a growing and dynamic population.

Sagar Vanaparthi, Policy Analyst