During the questioning in the Vidhan Sabha, the issue of vacancies of IPS officers in the state was raised. In this regard, the government revealed that 313 IAS posts have been approved in Gujarat, out of which 14 officers are currently on deputation to the Center while 56 vacancies are available. 

However, the government has assured that Gujarat will get 30 new IAS this year. In 14 departments, IAS officers have been given additional charge.

However, Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel alleged that this situation has resulted from the Congress government not doing direct recruitment.

Patel said that a total of 22 IAS officers will be available by February 2025, including 20 through promotion and two through selection among non-SCS officers. In addition, by October 2025, Gujarat will get an estimated 8 through direct recruitment, totalling 30 IAS officers.

As per IAS (Cadre) Rules 1954, the IAS structure is decided by the Central Government in consultation with the State Government. Which is reviewed every five years. According to the last review done in 2018, currently, 313 posts have been determined in the IAS cadre. These posts are – Senior Duty Posts-170, Central Deputation Reserve 68, State Deputation Reserve 42, Leave Reserve 28, and Training Reserve 5.

The Gujarat Government has proposed to the Central Government to increase the strength by 343 i.e. 30 new IAS posts in the year 2024. The Government has admitted that the additional charge of 14 departments including the Home, Science and Technology, Ports department has been given to the IAS in the state.

Every year 8-9 IAS have been getting through direct recruitment. In the last five years, Gujarat has got a total of 41 IAS officers through direct recruitment.

In the House, Patel alleged that the then Congress government did not appoint any IAS officers through direct recruitment in the three years between 1992 and 1994, resulting in this situation.

There are 218 posts for IAS in the state through direct recruitment, of which 190 are currently filled. There are 81 posts eligible for appointment in IAS through promotion, of which 57 are filled. Out of the total 14 posts eligible for appointment in IAS through selection (from non-civil state officers), 10 have been filled. Thus, 257 out of the total 313 posts have been filled.