Lok Sabha Question No. 1755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Vacant Diplomatic Posts
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Karti P. Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1755 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## VACANT DIPLOMATIC POST

## 1755.SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the   number   and   details   of   diplomatic   posts   currently   vacant   in foreign embassies, high commissions and permanent missions;
- (b) the details of the current gap between the total sanctioned strength and the total actual strength of IFS cadres;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any measures to fill this gap in the last three years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefor;
- (e) the details of any Cadre Review undertaken by the Government in the last ten years;
- (f) whether the Ministry has acted on recent concerns regarding the low strength of the IFS and total diplomatic cadres of the country; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (d) The sanctioned Cadre strength of the Indian Foreign Service is 978   against   which   there   are   815   Cadre   officers   and   49   officers   on deputation.   In   addition,   the   Ministry   regularly   fills   vacancies   by   a combination of direct recruitment through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC and promotion from feeder Cadre as per extant Rules. The Ministry has placed an indent of 48 with DoPT and UPSC for Civil Services Examinations 2019 and 2020.

Vacancies at Diplomatic or Consular levels in Indian Missions abroad are regularly reviewed and officers appointed. Generally, gaps between the departure of incumbents and the arrival of their successors are kept to a minimum. However, as the posting chains often involve several officers, on   some   occasions,   Missions/Posts   abroad   face   some   short-term vacancies. The COVID-19 situation has also led to temporary delays in the movement   of   personnel. There   are   197   Missions/Posts   and   3 Representative offices of India in different countries.  It is not possible to determine  the   exact   number   of   vacancies   since   this   is   a   continuous process with some officers demitting charge and others assuming charge in  our Missions/Posts abroad.

Recently on account of the global pandemic of COVID-19, various countries including India enforced strict lock-downs and restrictions on movement.  This has severely impacted movement of officials to allotted

stations of posting in a timely manner.  Vacancies arising on account of delayed movements are temporary in nature, and all efforts are being made by the Ministry to facilitate the movement of its officers through Vande Bharat Mission flights or under air-bubble agreements with partner countries.

(e) Nil.  The   last   Cadre   Review   for   the   Indian   Foreign   Service   was undertaken in 2004.

(f) & (g) T o meet the growing needs of India's diplomatic outreach the Ministry implemented the MEA expansion plan of 2008 as also expanded its strength with the opening of new Missions in Africa starting from 2018.

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