IAS Officers need to submit IPR (Property Details) by 31st January otherwise Disciplinary Action may be Taken

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has asked all Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to submit their annual Immovable Property Returns (IPR) by January 31 of the following year, as per Rule 16(2) of the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968. This rule, reinforced by Office Memorandums (OMs) issued on February 16, 1960, and January 4, 1994, mandates compliance to ensure accountability and transparency.

Filing Immovable Property Returns (IPR) every year is important to ensure transparency and honesty among IAS officers. These officers hold powerful positions and manage public resources, which gives them opportunities to earn wealth. The IPR helps the government check if their wealth matches their legal income, preventing any illegal or unfair accumulation of property. This rule also acts as a way to stop corruption and encourages officers to stay honest and trustworthy.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to submit the IPR on time can lead to disciplinary proceedings under previous guidelines, including those outlined in OMs dated October 29, 2007, and September 7, 2011. Additionally, a notification issued on December 30, 2021, amended Rule 3(1) of the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016, making timely filing of the IPR a mandatory requirement for officers seeking promotions to the next level in the pay matrix.

Online Filing Through SPARROW

Since January 1, 2017, the DoPT has implemented the online filing of IPR through the SPARROW (Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window) module. This system has simplified the process, allowing IAS officers to submit their IPRs electronically or by uploading a scanned copy of a manually filled form. Over the years, this initiative has seen consistent participation from officers.

The SPARROW module will automatically close after the prescribed timeline, which is January 31, 2025, for the IPR submission of the 2024 calendar year. Officers are not required to send hard copies of their returns to their respective cadres or to the DoPT.

Issues with e-Signature Submission

The department noted that some officers fail to complete the e-signature process after filling out their details on the SPARROW portal. Such IPRs remain unsubmitted, causing unnecessary challenges for the officers. To address this issue, the DoPT has urged officers to ensure that their IPRs are fully submitted by e-signing the forms on the portal.