In order to provide adequate representation to women, SC and ST officers at the Centre, the Union Government has asked the state governments to nominate women officers and those from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) for appointment in key posts on central deputation.
The government usually invites nominations every year to fill key posts, such as joint secretaries, directors, Deputy Secretaries, and Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
The Ministry of Personnel, through a communique issued on December 10, 2025, to the Chief Secretaries of all states, has clearly sought nominations of only those officers who are not likely to be recalled by them on the grounds of availing promotion for at least two years. Through this move, the Centre seeks to ensure that every eligible officer has an opportunity to serve at the Centre at least once at the middle management level.
The communiqué also asks the CSs to ensure that an officer, “once placed on the offer list,” continues to be available for consideration throughout the year.
The sponsored officers are to be appointed on deputation to the posts under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) and for the posts of CVOs in CPSEs and other Central Government organisations. According to the DoPT, the nomination process will be routed through a dedicated portal from January 1, 2026. The states have been asked to ensure that the names of officers debarred from central deputation are not forwarded for appointments.
The communiqué says that proper cadre management requires an adequate number of officers to be deputed to the Centre under the CSS.
The purpose behind such a move is to build up the capabilities and contribute towards developing State perspectives in the Government of India or national perspectives in the State at the decision-making levels.
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