'IAS Officers Want To Show Supremacy Over IPS & Forest Service Officers': Supreme Court Judge

During the hearing of a forest protection matter, Justice BR Gavai of Supreme Court today took exception to a persisting conflict between Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers on one hand and the Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers on the other.

"In my experience as a government pleader for 3 yrs and a judge for 22 yrs, I can tell you IAS officers want to show their supremacy over IPS and IFS officers...there is always a conflict...there is always heartburning amongst the IPS and IFS as to why though they are part of the same [...] the IAS should treat them as superiors", the judge said to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta (for Union).

The observation was made while a bench of Justices Gavai and AG Masih was dealing with the TN Godavarman case, wherein Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers have raised a grievance regarding Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers' preparation of their performance appraisal reports (PAR). As per the forest officers, IAS officers do not know the intricacies of forest conservation and wildlife protection steps taken by the former.

SG Mehta had appeared and sought adjournment in two sets of applications listed in the matter since he was engaged in another part-heard matter. Subject to the bench's convenience, the SG prayed that the applications may be heard after the Holi break.

"We will sit together in the meanwhile...the government is really concerned...I will again sit with him (Amicus K Parmeswar) and we will find a way out so that the ultimate object is achieved...a way needs to be found", the SG said.

Accommodating the SG, Justice Gavai said that the prevailing controversy between IAS officers and IPS officers must be put to an end. When the SG claimed that there is no such conflict, the judge differed and spoke from his experience as a government pleader as well as a judge that IAS officers show supremacy over IFS and IPS officers.

In response, the SG said that he would try to do away with the impression in the mind of the Court. The matter has been posted to April, 2025.

Also Read | Supreme Court Asks Centre To Resolve Indian Forest Service Officers' Grievance Against IAS Officers Appraising Their Performance

Case Title: IN RE : T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 202/1995