The status equivalence between ranks is based on pay scale, length of service and span of control. Historically, the length of service as a component of status determination always counted for inter se status. However, over the years, this cardinal principle has been set aside by totally discounting the length of service and solely relying on tangible pay scales and the intangible span of control to determine status and pay scales. In 1937 and 1947, the warrant of precedence equated a major general with a joint secretary of 30 years’ service. With the passage of time, the IAS through government orders brought down the minimum service for joint secretaries. The promotion to higher posts, especially joint secretaries and above, was increased by creating vacancies rather than by filling existing ones. Thirty-five secretary level posts in 1981 have now increased to 200. Even as the 6th CPC was deliberating its recommendations, the department of personnel and training of the Central government by a gazette notification in February 2008 brought the residency period for promotion to joint secretary and DIG of police to 14 years. This is analogous to ‘insider trading’.

It is conceded by the services that the average age of entry into the IAS vis a vis the services is three to four years higher. Thus a lead of 3-4 years to the IAS would have been completely acceptable to the services but not 18 to 19 years as it is today. In the IAS, 100 per cent officers become joint secretaries whereas in the services only 0.629 per cent attain the rank of major general. If ranks proportionate to the IAS were to be granted to the services they would require 14,000 major generals, 6,000 lieutenant generals and 2,000 army commanders. The intangible span of control is esoteric. Motivating and leading men into battle is not perceived to be as important as lording over some files in the ministry.

... contd.