The Union government has asked states to actively prioritise women officers and those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for key appointments on central deputation, signalling a renewed push for inclusivity at senior decision-making levels. The move is aimed at strengthening representation while ensuring smoother cadre management between states and the Centre.
In a communication to all state chief secretaries, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) urged states to sponsor officers who are unlikely to be recalled for promotion-related reasons for at least two years. The objective, the Centre said, is to ensure stability in postings and allow officers adequate time to contribute meaningfully at the national level.
The deputations will cover posts under the Central Staffing Scheme as well as Chief Vigilance Officer positions in central public sector enterprises and other government organisations. CVOs play a critical role in anti-corruption oversight, acting as an extended arm of the Central Vigilance Commission across departments and public enterprises.
Emphasising representation, the ministry stated that &ldquo;sufficient names of women and SC and ST officers may be sponsored so that adequate representation can be provided to them.&rdquo; It also cautioned that once an officer&rsquo;s name is forwarded, withdrawal without valid reasons could lead to a five-year debarment from central deputation, including foreign assignments. From January 1, 2026, all nominations will be processed through a dedicated online portal to streamline selections.

Women and SC/ST officers prioritised for key central roles under new staffing push

Centre Pushes Inclusive Deputation Drive

Women and SC/ST officers prioritised for key central roles under new staffing push

December 14, 2025 | 22:39 IST