The Assam Cabinet has approved a new policy mandating its prior approval for issuing ‘No Objection Certificates’ (NOCs) to officers of All India Services (AIS), including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), for central and inter-state deputation. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

This revised framework aims to introduce greater oversight and control over the movement of senior bureaucrats serving in the state administration, potentially influencing administrative functioning across various departments. The move is expected to strengthen the state government’s leverage in managing its cadre of officers, ensuring their availability for critical assignments within Assam.

What was announced

The Assam Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, formally approved changes to the deputation process for All India Services officers. According to the new policy, any officer belonging to the All India Services, such as IAS, who seeks deputation to the Central government or another state government, will now require the explicit approval of the Assam Cabinet before an NOC is issued. This decision was part of a broader cabinet meeting that also addressed other significant policy matters, including urban planning and Aadhaar card restrictions. Chief Minister Sarma confirmed the decision, stating that cabinet approval would now be required for such NOCs.

Why it matters

The new policy significantly enhances the state government’s control over its bureaucratic resources. Previously, while state concurrence was generally sought for deputations, the new requirement for Cabinet approval adds an additional layer of scrutiny and decision-making at the highest executive level. This could ensure that the state retains essential officers for its own administrative needs, particularly for implementing key development projects and maintaining governance stability. The government indicated that the revised policy is intended to bring greater scrutiny and control over the transfer and deployment of senior bureaucrats, with the ultimate goal of strengthening administrative oversight across departments. Such a measure could also impact the dynamics of central-state relations concerning the availability of AIS officers for central assignments, a long-standing point of contention between the Union and various state governments.

Background

The deputation of All India Services officers, including IAS, IPS, and IFoS, is governed by Rule 6 of the respective Cadre Rules, such as the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954. Historically, these rules stipulate that a cadre officer may be deputed for service under the Central Government or another State Government with the concurrence of the concerned state government and the Central Government. However, there have been ongoing discussions and occasional disagreements between the Centre and states regarding the deputation of officers.

In recent years, the Union government has expressed concerns over the declining number of IAS officers available for central deputation, leading to proposed amendments to Rule 6(1) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954. These proposed amendments, which sought to give the Centre overriding powers in deputation matters, have been met with strong opposition from several states, who viewed them as an infringement on cooperative federalism and an attempt to weaken states’ control over their bureaucracy. States like West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Telangana have previously been noted for not nominating sufficient officers for central deputation. The Assam Cabinet’s new policy can be seen in the context of states asserting greater control over their administrative cadres amidst these broader national debates.

Key details

The core of the new policy is the mandatory requirement for Cabinet approval for all NOCs issued to All India Services officers for both central and inter-state deputation. This applies to officers of the IAS and other AIS cadres serving within Assam. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on June 13, 2026. The objective, as stated by government sources, is to ensure stricter administrative oversight and strategic deployment of senior officials to meet the state’s governance requirements. This move contrasts with the existing general practice where state governments typically provide NOCs based on departmental recommendations, though the ultimate decision in case of disagreement between Centre and state traditionally rests with the Centre.

What’s next

The new policy is expected to take effect immediately, following its approval by the Cabinet. Administrative departments will now be required to route all requests for central or inter-state deputation of AIS officers through the state Cabinet for final approval of the NOC. This will introduce a more centralised decision-making process for such transfers. The state government has not yet released specific guidelines or a detailed notification outlining the procedural changes, but officials expect these to follow in due course. The implications for officers seeking deputation and for the state’s administrative capacity will become clearer as the policy is implemented.

Sources & References