Resigning from IAS is not a cakewalk—know why?

Though resigning from a job is considered a fundamental right of any individual, it may turn out to be a different ball game altogether in some cases. The reason is simple: barely resigning from a job is not enough; it needs to be accepted as well, and there is no fixed time limit for accepting the resignation. This is a stark reality about an All India Services officer working in this country.

Take the example of (former?) IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan (IAS:2012:AGMUT), who resigned from the IAS in 2019 citing restrictions on freedom of expression in Kashmir, but his resignation is yet to be accepted even after six long years.  

The long delay in accepting his resignation has raised significant questions about the complexities involved in the resignation process for civil servants in this country.

Under the service rules, an IAS officer’s resignation is not effective immediately upon its submission. It must be accepted by the competent authority, usually the central government; only then does it become effective.

Before acceptance, necessary checks are carried out, including vigilance clearance, confirmation of the absence of pending disciplinary proceedings, and settlement of any service-related obligations. These safeguards are meant to ensure that officers do not evade accountability by resigning.

Kannan’s resignation is reportedly still pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs, as the final recommendation has not yet been sent to the DoPT. He has alleged that due to this inordinate delay in accepting his resignation for over six years, he was unable to contest the Kerala elections held last week.

While such prolonged delays are unprecedented, this situation raises pertinent questions regarding the rules governing IAS resignations, timelines, discretion, transparency, and even grounds for rejection.

Under the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, associating with political parties or participating in political activities is a taboo for serving IAS officers. They must maintain political neutrality and uphold constitutional values at all times.

The Conduct Rules were amended in November 2014, adding new clauses to reinforce the conduct expected of civil servants. 

Rule 3(1) codifies the conduct of every government employee, as they must, at all times, maintain political neutrality and remain committed to upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values. They must remember that they serve the Constitution and the public, not any political party or ideology.

Kannan’s problem is that he joined the Congress Party in 2024, five years after resigning from the IAS. 

Now as Kannan’s resignation has not yet been formally accepted, his status remains that of a serving officer, placing him in violation of conduct rules if he engages in politics.

Kannan has accused the government of harassing him by not accepting his resignation.

The main point is that the resignations of All India Services (AIS) officers—like IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service—are controlled by specific rules from 1958.

Under these rules, an AIS officer serving in a state cadre must submit their resignation to the Chief Secretary of the state. 

If he/she is on central deputation, the resignation must be submitted to the concerned ministry or department secretary, which then forwards it to the respective state cadre with its recommendations. 

In the case of AGMUT cadre officers, the process is routed through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

As per Rule 5, officers who resign are not entitled to retirement benefits. 

Additionally, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines require that the resignation must be clear and unconditional for it to be considered valid.

It is important to know what happens after a civil servant resigns. After resignation is submitted, the state verifies if the officer has any pending dues, vigilance cases, or inquiries. If any of these issues exist, resignations are usually rejected. 

The state government then forwards its recommendation and details to the Union Government. 

The DoPT Minister (or Prime Minister) ultimately decides on IAS officers’ resignations.

The Home Minister takes the final call on the resignation of an IPS officer and the Environment Minister for Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officers.

Now the question arises whether the government can delay accepting resignations and, if so, for how long. The answer is there is no fixed time limit for accepting the resignation of an IAS officer. 

However, a DoPT circular states that it is generally not in the government’s interest to retain an unwilling officer, so resignations should normally be accepted.

But resignation can be delayed or even rejected in certain situations. If an officer is under suspension or facing disciplinary proceedings, the government must assess whether accepting the resignation serves public interest. 

In such cases, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) may also be consulted.

Furthermore the government also examines whether the officer has pending dues or obligations or executed service bonds (for training, scholarships, or fellowships). 

For example, Arvind Kejriwal faced penalties after resigning from the IRS due to a bond violation linked to a government-funded fellowship.

Other than this, the government may delay acceptance of resignation if the officer holds an important position unless a suitable replacement arrangements are made, ensuring administrative continuity.

It is pertinent here to map the key trends of IAS resignations since 2010. According to DoPT data acquired through an RTI, 31 IAS officers have resigned since 2010, the year when the CSAT was introduced in the UPSC exam. 

Eleven of these people quit between 2010 and 2014, when the UPA was in power, and twenty of them quit between May 2015 and May 2025, when the NDA is in power.

Since the introduction of CSAT, many IAS entrants have been technocrats, and a growing number have chosen to resign for better opportunities in the private sector or to enter politics, reflecting evolving career preferences among civil servants.

It is also important to know if an IAS officer can withdraw a resignation. Yes, IAS officers can withdraw their resignation, but only under specific conditions laid down in the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules.

Under Rule 5(1A)(i), the Union government may allow withdrawal of resignation in public interest, but, as per a 2011 amendment, the gap between resignation and rejoining service cannot exceed 90 days. 

But withdrawal is not permitted if the officer resigned to pursue political goals.

Further, if an officer withdraws his/her resignation before it is formally accepted, it is treated as withdrawn. This rule applies in cases where resignation processing is delayed.

IAS topper Shah Faesal (IAS:2010:AGMUT) is a classic example of it. He resigned in 2019 and was able to return to service in 2022 because his resignation had not been accepted, allowing automatic withdrawal.

The withdrawal is easy before acceptance of resignation, but thereafter, it is restricted and conditional.

The issue of Kannan’s resignation has remained a subject of debate due to the prolonged delay in its acceptance, as the lack of a fixed timeline for accepting or rejecting resignations creates uncertainty and raises concerns about administrative fairness.

Prolonged delays may affect the officer’s personal and professional life and can give rise to perceptions of arbitrariness. It also brings into question the balance between the authority of the state and an individual’s right to leave public service.