NITI Aayog has suggested reducing the upper age limit for joining civil services from 30 years to 27 years for the general category candidates by the year 2022 to 2023. In a document titled “Strategy for New India @75”, it also recommended only one integrated exam for all the civil services.
According to a report by The Times of India, the government think tank has suggested allocation of candidates through a match of their competencies and the job descriptions.
The suggestions also aims at reducing the number of civil services through rationalisation and harmonisation of services.
The average age of recruits for civil services is about 25-and-a-half years and the recommendation goes with the reality that more than one-third of India's population below 35 years, reported TOI. Lateral entry of specialists at higher levels of government, which will provide much needed expertise was also encouraged in the report.
"The key to reform in the civil servies is encouraging officers to cultivate specialisations based on their education and skills early on their careers. Whenever possible, longer tenure postings need to be made based on the officers' expertise. However, it is also necessary to ensure cross-sector mobility for civil servants from areas where they have become surplus to areas of emerging importance," the report said.
The central and state currently have more than 60 separate services.
(With inputs from The Times of India)
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