Ministry of Finance Announces New Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) Recruitment Rules 2025, Download PDF

The Ministry of Finance has announced new recruitment rules for the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) under Group ‘A’ for the year 2025. These new rules are effective immediately and replace the older rules that were in place since 2006.

What Are the New ICAS Rules About?

The updated rules clearly explain how ICAS officers will be recruited, promoted, and organized within the government accounting system. The main goal of these changes is to make the system more transparent, efficient, and better at serving the public.

These changes include updates to both the structure of the ICAS service and the procedures for hiring and promoting officers.

Recruitment Process: How Will ICAS Officers Be Selected?

Under the new rules, half (50%) of the entry-level positions, called the Junior Time Scale posts, will be filled through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). The other half will be filled by promoting eligible Senior Accounts Officers from within the service.

Promotion and Career Growth

The rules clearly define the qualifications needed for each promotion stage. This means ICAS officers now have a clear and structured career path, starting from Junior Time Scale all the way to the top position of Controller General of Accounts (Apex Scale).

A new feature in the rules is that officers can receive higher pay grades even without a formal promotion, as long as their counterparts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the same batch have been granted these higher pay levels. This aims to maintain pay fairness and encourage officers.

Strength and Designations of ICAS

The total number of authorized ICAS positions is set at 317. These posts range from Assistant Controller of Accounts at the junior level to Controller General of Accounts at the highest level. The pay scales for these posts start from ₹56,100 and go up to ₹2,25,000 per month.

Probation and Training for New Recruits

Candidates recruited directly through the UPSC exam will have to undergo a probation period of two years. During this time, they must successfully complete a mandatory foundation course. The government holds the right to either extend this probation or end it early depending on the officer’s performance.

Important Eligibility Rules

The new rules strictly follow eligibility guidelines. For example, individuals involved in polygamous marriages are not allowed unless their personal law permits it. The standard reservation policies for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and other special categories continue to apply.

Posting and Service Conditions

ICAS officers may be posted anywhere within India or even abroad. This reflects the all-India nature of the service and ensures officers can be deployed where needed.

Governance and Promotion Committees

The Department of Expenditure is named as the “Controlling Authority” for ICAS. Several committees, including the Departmental Promotion Committee and the Screening Committee, will review the officers’ performance and decide on promotions and other service-related matters.

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