Parliament Question: Low SC/ST Representation in Senior and Policy Positions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3220 (ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026) LOW SC/ST REPRESENTATION IN SENIOR AND POLICY POSITIONS 3220. DR. MALLU RAVI: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state: (a) whether the representation of SC/ST is disproportionately low at Joint Secretary level and above and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the promotion-linked stagnation is disproportionately affecting SC/ST officers and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government tracks the time taken for promotion by social category and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether lack of representation affects policy sensitivity towards constituencies like Nagarkurnool and if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether cadre review mechanisms are likely to address this imbalance and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a): Data in this regard is not maintained. (b) to (d): As per the policy of the Government, reservation is provided to SCs and STs in promotion upto the lowest rung of Group A @ 15% and 7.5% respectively. ln order to ensure implementation of reservation policies in the Ministries/Departments, instructions have been issued by DoPT requesting all the Ministries/Departments including organisations under them to designate an officer, at least of the rank of Deputy Secretary, as a Liaison Officer in respect of matters relating to SC/ST. Ministries/ Departments are also required to create a Reservation Cell under the direct control of Liaison Officer to assist him in discharging of his duties effectively. Instructions have also been issued to the Ministries/ Departments to convene DPCs well in advance so that the vacancies are filled up in a time bound manner. As per the data available with Ministries/Departments, the overall representation of SCs and STs as on 01.01.2025 is more than 15% and 7.5% respectively. (e): Cadre review is a periodic administrative mechanism conducted to realign a service to the ever-changing organizational needs and maintain congruence amongst functional, structural and personnel needs in accordance with pre-defined principles. *******