Himachal Govt proposes cut in IAS, IFS cadre strength amid financial pressure
Shashi Bhushan Purohit
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), May 9, 2026: Facing mounting financial pressure and shrinking economic resources, the Himachal Pradesh government has proposed a reduction in the number of senior bureaucrats in a bid to control administrative expenditure.
According to sources, the state government has sent a proposal to the Centre seeking a reduction in the cadre strength of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers.
As per the proposal submitted by the Personnel Department, the number of IAS officers in the state cadre is proposed to be reduced from 153 to 147. Similarly, the cadre strength of IFS officers may be brought down from 114 to 83.
If approved by the Central Government, the move would result in a reduction of 37 senior officers across the two services.
Sources further indicated that the government is also considering a similar proposal regarding the cadre strength of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers.
The decision comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh is reportedly facing a debt burden exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. In addition to debt repayments, the state is also dealing with rising fixed financial liabilities in the form of salaries, pensions, and establishment expenses.
Officials say the government is attempting to rationalize the administrative structure and reduce long-term expenditure pressure on the state exchequer.
The matter of reducing the number of All India Services officers had also been discussed during previous governments. However, no concrete decision was implemented at the time.