Unstarred Question No. 1459, addressed to the Minister of Finance by Shri Raja A, concerns "Own Merit" promotions of SC/ST officials in the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). The question asks whether complaints have been received regarding non-implementation of "Own Merit" promotions for SC/ST officials according to Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines, if more than 10,000 backlog vacancies exist due to non-implementation, and the actions being taken to implement the policy and clear backlog vacancies. Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, responded that representations are received in CBDT, Department of Revenue, regarding the issue of promotion, including issues related to promotion on "own merit" from time to time and that these are examined as per extant instructions issued by DoP&T in the matter, which is a continuous process. The issue of reservation in promotion is also pending before the Supreme Court of India in the case of Jarnail Singh and Ors. Versus Lachhmi Narain Gupta and Ors. and other connected matters, for final adjudication. The question was scheduled to be answered on February 9, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT): Issues instructions related to promotions, particularly 'Own Merit' promotions for SC/ST officials
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT): Office where 'Own Merit' promotions of SC/ST officials are being reviewed.
"Own Merit" promotions: The concept of promotions based on merit, with specific focus on its application to SC/ST officials.
Ministry of Finance: The ministry to which the question is addressed.
Supreme Court of India: Court with a pending case related to the issue of reservation in promotion.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1459
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026 / Magha 20, 1947 (Saka)
“OWN MERIT” PROMOTIONS OF SC/ST OFFICIALS IN CBDT
1459. Shri Raja A:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether any complaints have been received by the Government with regard
to non-implementation of the concept of "Own Merit" promotions on seniority to
SC/ST officials as laid down by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
Office Memorandums, in the office of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and its
18 cadre controlling authorities;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of Government thereto;
(c) whether it is a fact that more than 10,000 backlog vacancies exist due to non-
implementation of "Own Merit" promotions in the Department; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/proposed to be taken by
the Government to implement the policy and to clear all backlog vacancies on time-
bound basis?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (d): Representations are received in CBDT, Department of Revenue, on the
issue of promotion, including the issue related to promotion on “own merit”, from time
to time.
These representations are examined as per the extant instructions issued by
Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T) in the matter, which is a continuous
process.
The issue of reservation in promotion is also pending before the Supreme Court of
India in the case of Jarnail Singh and Ors. Versus Lachhmi Narain Gupta and Ors.
and other connected matters, for final adjudication.
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