>BrownHairedGirl at 18:00, 2 May 2021

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2016}}
'''Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services''' ('''AFHQCS''') is a Group B [[Central Civil Services]], responsible for providing civilian staff, secretarial,clerical, and support services to the headquarters of Indian Armed Forces and Inter-Services Organizations (ISOs) under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of defense (MOD)]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/d_MPR/service_rules/AFHQCS1968.pdf|title=SRO 113 Civil Service Rules, 1968|date=1 April 1968|publisher=MOD|access-date=25 September 2016}}</ref> The cadre was established in 1968.<ref name=":3" /> The number of employees in the service in 1968 was 1778;<ref name=":3" /> in 2011, 2644;<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/d_MPR/SRO27.pdf|title=SRO 27 Armed Forces Headquarters civil Service (Amendment) rules , 2011|last=Ministry Of Defence|date=15 April 2011|series=SRO 27|publisher=MOD|location=New Delhi|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref> and in 2016, 3235.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/00/Seniority%20Lists/01Net_Seniority.htm|title=Seniority list|last=Ministry of Defence|first=CAO|date=21 October 2016|publisher=Office of JS (Trg) &CAO, Ministry of Defence|access-date=29 November 2016}}</ref>

== Background ==
In 1942, during [[World War II by country|World War II]], civilian employees under different departments and branches of the Armed Forces Headquarters responsible for providing static ancillary services were reorganized and consolidated under one head who was called the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The first CAO took over on 1 August 1942.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/About_us/History.htm|title=BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OFFICE OF THE JS (T) & CAO|last=Ministry of Defence|first=CAO|date=30 November 2016|publisher=CAO, Ministry of defence|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref> In 1987, the post of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), was upgraded to the level of a [[Joint Secretary to Government of India|Joint Secretary]] (JS).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/d_MPR/service_rules/afhq_civilServiceRules_2001.pdf|title=S.R.O. 87 Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service Rules, 2001|date=1 May 2001|series=S.R.O. 87|publisher=Ministry of Defence|location=New Delhi|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://caomod.nic.in/d_MPR/SRO_SO.pdf|title=PROFILE OF SERVICE, DUTIES, CAREER PROSPECTS OF SECTION OFFICER IN ARMED HEADQUARTERS CIVIL SERVICE|last=Ministry of Defence|publisher=MOD|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref>

==Command and Control==
The head of AFHQCS is [[Joint Secretary to Government of India|Joint Secretary]] (Trg) cum Chief Administrative Officer(CAO) in the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/|title=Chief Administrative Officer|last=Ministry of Defence|first=Office of the JS(E/CAO)|publisher=Office of the JS(E/CAO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India|access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> The [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary]] is the Cadre Controlling Authority of AFHQCS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mod.nic.in/forms/Sublink1.aspx?lid=1536&Id=56|title=ORGANIZATIONAL CHART|last=Ministry of Defence|date=28 November 2016|access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref>

== Upgrading of Posts ==
The AFHQCS pay grades have been revised upwards following the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Central Pay Commissions: in 1968, it had four grades, 204 were in ''Group A'', and 1472 in ''Group B.'' The highest grade was senior civil staff officer, a level analogous to deputy secretary.<ref name=":3" /> After the 4th Central Pay Commission (1986), and [[Sixth Central Pay Commission]](2006)a large number of existing posts were upgraded. By 2011 Group A level posts had doubled to 409 including 4 at Joint secretary level, and 2235 at ''Group B'' level.<ref name=":1" /> Following the 7 CPC, in July 2013, a committee was constituted to carry out further cadre restructuring/review of AFHQ Civil Service to enhance the career prospects of the AFHQ-Civil Service.<ref name=":0" /> It currently has six grades/levels, from Assistant Section Officer to Principal Director.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/defence-ministry-withdraws-order-seen-to-downgrade-military-officers-1796445|title=Defence Ministry Withdraws Controversial Order Seen To Downgrade Military Officers|last=Som|first=Vishnu|date=6 January 2018|website=[[NDTV]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/defence-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-withdraws-order-on-officers-rank/articleshow/62388304.cms|title=Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman withdraws order on Officers' rank|date=6 January 2018|website=[[The Economic Times]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

== Grades and levels ==
Inductions into the service is from upper division clerk by promotion from the Assistant Section Officer, and direct recruitment at the level of Assistant Section Officer and Section Officer.<ref name=":1" /> The evolution of the service, its hierarchical structure, pay grades, and levels, are tabulated below:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+AFHQ Civil Service: Grades and Levels Table 1
!
!Designation and Group
!Pay grade-scales
1968
!Pay
Band and Scale

[after 6CPC]

2008<ref name=":1" />
!Grade Pay (Rs)
2008
!level
in Pay matrix 2016<ref name="Report of Seventh Central Pay Commission">{{cite web|url=http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf |title=Report of Seventh Central Pay Commission |date=19 November 2015 |publisher=Government of India |location=New Delhi |format=p 899 |access-date=19 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2015 }}</ref>{{Rp|p75}}<ref name="Department of Expenditure RESOLUTION New Delhi,25 July 2016">{{cite web|url=http://7thpaycommissionnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/7th-pay-commission-gazette-notification.pdf|title=MINISTRY OF FINANCE (Department of Expenditure) RESOLUTION|date=25 July 2016|publisher=Ministry of Finance|location=New Delhi|language=hi, en|format=Gazette Notification|access-date=17 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|1
|Senior Administrative Grade (2001)<ref name=":1" /> designation changed to Principal Director in October 2002.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/d_MPR/service_rules/SRO%20239%20dated%2031%20Oct%202002.pdf|title=Amendment to Army headquarter Civil service rules|last=Ministry of Defence|date=31 October 2002|series=SRO 239|publisher=MOD|location=New Delhi|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref>(Group`A')
AFHQ Civil Service has 4 posts of Principal Director.<ref name=":0" />
|''-''
|PB-4
37400-67000
|10000
|14
|-
|2
|Director
(Group 'A')

Directors of the AFHQ Civil Service eligible for appointment to Principal Director on completion three years service.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp| Schedule IV p 20}}<ref name=":0" />
| -
|PB-4
37400-67000
|8700
|13
|-
|3
|Senior Civilian Staff Officer/Joint Director (2001)<ref name=":1" /> designation changed to Joint Director in October 2002.<ref name=":2" />(Class I/ Group 'A')
Joint Directors of the AFHQ Civil Service eligible for appointment to the Director grade on completion of 05 years of approved service in the grade<ref name=":1" />{{Rp| Schedule IV p 20}}<ref name=":0" />
|1100-50-1400
|PB-3
15600-39100
|7600
|12
|-
|4
|Civilian Staff Officer (2001) designation changed to Deputy Director in October 2002.<ref name=":2" />(Group 'A')
Deputy Directors of the AFHQ Civil Service will be eligible for appointment to the Joint Director grade and to other administrative posts

on completion of 05 years of approved service in the grade.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp| Schedule IV p 20}}<ref name=":0" />
|740-30-100-50-1150
|PB-3
15600-39100
|6600
|11
|-
|5
|Assistant Civilian Staff Officer (2001) Designation changed to Section Officer in October 2002<ref name=":2" /> Group 'B'
50% of the posts of Section Officers are filled by Direct Recruitment.<ref name=":0" />

Section Officers eligible for promotion to the grade of Deputy Directors

on completion of 06 years service.

In addition, up-gradation (Non-Functional Scale) to the Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/- in PB-3 on completion of 4 years approved service as Section Officer<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />
|350-25-500-30-520-EB-20-800
|PB-2
(i) 9300-34800 (on

initial appointment)

(ii) 15600-39100

(Non-functional

scale/Grade Pay on

completion of 4 years

approved service)
|(i) 4800
(ii) 5400

(Non-

functional

Grade Pay)
|8-9
|-
|6
|Assistant Section Officer
(Group 'B', Non-Gazetted) Ministerial.

Assistant Section officer grade done by Direct Recruitment (50%) and 50% by Promotion from UDC grade.<ref name=":0" />
|210-10-270-15-200-EB-15-450- 20-520
|Group 'B', Non-
Gazetted)

PB-2

9300-34800
|4600
|7
|}

== Strength ==
The authorized strength of the service is 2644 (2011), an increase of 866, from a total of 1778 in 1968.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /> This is in addition to Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers Service, which has an overall strength of 856 (8 Senior Principal Private Secretary; 44 Principal Private Secretaries; 300 Private Secretary; and 504 Personal Assistants).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.caomod.nic.in/d_MPR/service_rules/afhq_stenoService_GpA%26B_Rules2003.pdf|title=S.R.O.47 Armed Forces Headquarters Stenographers’ (Group `A’ and `B’ posts) Service Rules, 2004|last=MINISTRY OF DEFENCE|date=25 March 2004|access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> The increase in strength of the service is tabulated below:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Strength of AFHQCS 1968-2016 Table 2
!
!Designation and Group
!authorized strength
1968<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|second Schedule}}
!authorized strength
2001 <ref name=":1" />{{Rp|Schedule I p 13}}
!authorized strength
2011<ref name=":5" />
!authorized strength
2016<ref name=":7"/>
|-
|1
|Senior Administrative Grade]<ref name=":1" /> Designation Changed to '''Principal Director''' in October 2002.<ref name=":2" />(Group`A')
AFHQ Civil Service has 4 posts of Principal Director.<ref name=":0" />
|nil
|2
|3
|4
|-
|2
|'''Director'''
(Group 'A')
|nil
|9
|20
|21
|-
|3
|Senior Civilian Staff Officer/Joint Director.<ref name=":1" /> '''Joint Director''', since October 2002.<ref name=":2" />(Group 'A')
|12
|72
|83
|157
|-
|4
|Civilian Staff Officer. '''Deputy Director''' since in October 2002.<ref name=":2" />(Group 'A')
|194
|253
|303
|419
|-
|5
|Superintendent- Central civil services class II ministerial (1968)/ Assistant Civilian Staff Officer (2001). Designation changed to '''Section Officer''' in October 2002<ref name=":2" /> Group 'B'
|506
|683
|778
|514
|-
|6
|'''Assistant Section Officer'''
(Group 'B', Non-Gazetted) Ministerial.
|1066
|1709
including leave reserve
|1457
|2120
|-
|
|
|1778
|2571
|2644
|3235
|}

== Controversies ==
The [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] (MOD) on 18 October 2016 with the approval of [[Manohar Parrikar]] the Defence Ministers issued a letter that equated Armed Forces Headquarter Civil Service ranks and designations with officer ranks in the [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian Armed forces]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/328834556/Defence-Ministry-Letter-On-Rank-Parity#from_embed|title=Ministry of Defence Letter 18 October 2016|last=Anandarajan|first=V|date=18 October 2016|work=Ministry of Defence|publisher=CAO, Ministry of Defence|location=New Delhi|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> The new rank equivalences, apparently issued without Armed forces headquarters concurrence, was cause of resentment in the Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dutta, Sujan|title=Fauji anxieties rise ahead of report on parity of ranks |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/06/fauji-anxieties-rise-ahead-of-report-on-parity-of-ranks-1667854.html |access-date=25 April 2019 |publisher=Express News Service |date=6 October 2017}}</ref> Armed forces main objections to MOD's 18 October letter was that AFHQCS time scale ranks/designation were shown equal to senior Armed Forces selection grade ranks.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-down-gradation-no-change-in-rank-or-status-of-armed-forces-personnel-govt/story-0TdoGtQjJck2nJJoLLBFdK.html|title=Military’s hopes dashed as govt retains controversial rank structure|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=27 October 2016|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> For example, according to the 'equivalences' in 18 October 2016 letter, AFHQCS officers with 9 years of services, called joint directors, are shown equal to [[colonels]] and their equivalents in Air Force ([[Group Captain]]) and Navy (Captain), all senior selection grade ranks with 16–20 years service.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/328834556/Defence-Ministry-Letter-On-Rank-Parity#from_embed|title=Ministry of Defence Letter 18 October 2016|last=Anandarajan|first=V|date=18 October 2016|work=Ministry of Defence|publisher=CAO, Ministry of Defence|location=New Delhi|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-down-gradation-no-change-in-rank-or-status-of-armed-forces-personnel-govt/story-0TdoGtQjJck2nJJoLLBFdK.html|title=Military’s hopes dashed as govt retains controversial rank structure|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=27 October 2016|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> 18 October 2016 letter was withdrawn in 2018 after considerable controversy that played out in the national media.<ref name="pib.nic.in">Raksha Mantri Issues Orders on Matter of Equivalence with Respect to Armed Forces and AFHQ CS Officers, Ministry of Defence, Posted On: 5 January 2018 http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1515642</ref>

== Time Line ==
===1 August 1942 ===
In response to the demands of the [[World War II by country|World War II]] civilian employees in the War Department in Delhi are consolidated under the Office of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The first four CAO were brigadiers of the [[Indian Army]].<ref name=":4" />

===16 August 1947 ===
Colonel Pritam Singh becomes the first Indian CAO.<ref name=":4" />

=== 1 March 1968 ===
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service constituted as group B Service from the existing staff under the Armed Forces headquarters and inter service organisations. The highest grade in the AFHQ Civil Service is Senior Staff Officer, analogous to a deputy secretary, with pay grade of Lt colonel.<ref name=":3" />

=== 1987 ===
The post of CAO is upgraded to Joint Secretary.<ref name=":4" />

=== 2001 ===
The Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service Rules, 2001, superseded by Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service Rules, 1968. Two Existing posts upgraded to JS, and 9 to Director.<ref name=":1" />

=== 31 October 2002 ===
AFHQCS adopts new designations of principal director (Senior Administrative grade); Joint Director (Senior Civilian Staff officer), analogous to civil service time scale post with 9 years; Deputy director (Deputy director), analogous to civil service time scale post with 4 years service; and section officer (Assistant civilian Officer) .<ref name=":2" />

=== 15 April 2011 ===
Principal Director posts increased from 1 to 3: one each in the Military Secretary's branch, Adjutant General's branch, and Directorate general of Quality assurance. 20 existing post upgraded to Director post, a post analogous to civil service time scale post with 13 years<ref name=":5" />

=== 2016 ===
Principal Director posts increased from 3 to 4. Directors posts to 21/22. All promotion on time scale basis. All Directors in the service are empaneled to be Principal directors.<ref name=":7" /> Strength of AFHQ CS is 3235.<ref name=":7"/>

==== 18 October 2016 ====
[[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] (MOD) issues a letter on the new rank equivalences between the Armed Forces Headquarter Civil Service and officers of the [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian Armed forces]]. The letter in its last para notes that it has the approval of Mohan Parrikar, the ([[Defence Minister of India|Defence Minister]]). The memo titled ''Equivalence between Armed forces Officers and officers of AFHQ Civil Service'' addressed to three services is signed by V Anandarajan([[Indian Revenue Service]]1988), Joint Secretary and Chief administrative Officer (CAO), an office under the G.Mohan Kumar, IAS, [[Defence Secretary of India|Defence Secretary]]. In the letter AFHQCS officers with 9 years of services, called joint directors, are shown equal to full [[colonels]] and their equivalents in Air Force ([[Group Captain]]) and Navy (Captain), all selection grade senior ranks with 16–20 years service. This equivalence made Joint directors ( 9 years service) a time scale designation senior to [[Lt-colonel|Lt Colonels]], [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]]s, [[Commander (rank)|Commanders]] of the Navy. Brigadiers, Commodores, and Air Commodores, all highly selective senior armed forces ranks, are shown equal to AFHQCS officer with 13 years service, called directors, a time scale designation.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/328834556/Defence-Ministry-Letter-On-Rank-Parity#from_embed|title=Ministry of Defence Letter 18 October 2016|last=Anandarajan|first=V|date=18 October 2016|work=Ministry of Defence|publisher=CAO, Ministry of Defence|location=New Delhi|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> The controversial letter it seems was circulated to the services headquarters but did not have their approval or concurrence.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-down-gradation-no-change-in-rank-or-status-of-armed-forces-personnel-govt/story-0TdoGtQjJck2nJJoLLBFdK.html|title=Military’s hopes dashed as govt retains controversial rank structure|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=27 October 2016|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref>

====25 October 2016====
The new rank equivalences in 16 October memo was cause of much disappointment and resentment in the Armed forces which found voice through the media, and veteran groups.<ref name="Express News Service">{{cite news |last1=Dutta, Sujan |title=Fauji anxieties rise ahead of report on parity of ranks |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/06/fauji-anxieties-rise-ahead-of-report-on-parity-of-ranks-1667854.html |access-date=25 April 2019 |publisher=Express News Service |date=6 October 2017}}</ref> Parrikar responding to outrage assured the armed forces that he would told reporter on the sidelines of a naval commanders' conference that "Military officers will be on same platform as their civilian counterparts" Any discrepancy in the ranks would be corrected in a week, ” adding that government has assured the military that any disparity in rank structure of its officers with those in civil administration will be removed ". and that he "will scrutinise the orders to detect anomalies that threaten to widen the civil-military divide “.<ref name=":16">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/will-correct-discrepancies-in-military-civilian-officers-rank-equation-parrikar/story-4iDsQGv48k4Syk04p8ZUSK.html|title=Will correct disparity in military, civilian officers' rank structure: Parrikar|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=25 October 2016|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Despite his assurances to the armed forces there was no follow up, and issue remained unresolved till he was replaced by Nirmala Sitharaman as the defense Minister.<ref name="Express News Service"/>

=== 5 January 2018 ===
[[Nirmala Sitharaman]], on 5 January 2018, issued order to withdraw "Ministry of Defence letter dated 18 October 2016 on the issue of equivalence between Armed Forces Officers and Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services (AFHQ CS)Officers"<ref name="pib.nic.in"/>

== See also ==
* [[Pay commission]]
* [[Sixth Central Pay Commission]]
* [[7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and Defence Forces]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.caomod.nic.in/About_us/History.htm Chief Administrative Officer]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf Report of Seventh Central Pay Commission] Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance
* [http://7thpaycommissionnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/7th-pay-commission-gazette-notification.pdf Gazette-Notification, 25 July 2016] Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141021084054/http://finmin.nic.in/6cpc/6cpcreport.pdf Report of the Sixth Central Pay Commission] Ministry of Finance
* [http://7thpaycommissionnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/7th-cpc-notification-for-defence-personnel.pdf 7 CPC Notification for defence-personnel, Officers, 7 September 2016] Ministry of Defence

{{Defence Ministry of India}}

{{Public Services of India}}

[[Category:Military history of India]]
[[Category:Ministry of Defence (India)]]
[[Category:Civil Services of India]]

Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services - Revision history

>BrownHairedGirl at 18:00, 2 May 2021