Joint secretary to the Government of India

{{Short description|Post under the General Staffing Scheme}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox official post | post = Union Joint Secretary | flag = Flag of India.svg | flagsize = 110px | flagcaption = Flag of India | insignia = Emblem_of_India.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert | insigniasize = 80px | insigniacaption = Emblem of India | reports_to = {{hlist|Additional Secretary|Secretary|Parliament of India|Council of Ministers of India|Prime Minister of India}} | residence = | seat = {{hlist|Union Ministries of India|Secretariat Building, New Delhi}} | appointer = Appointments Committee of the Cabinet | appointer_qualified = | termlength = | succession = 26th {{small|(on the Indian order of precedence.)}} | inaugural = | formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1920}}{{efn|The rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India was officially created in 1921, as part of the post‑1919 reforms. However, the role was already operational informally in 1920, with ICS officers like George Gall Sim serving in that capacity prior to formal codification.}} | salary = {{INRConvert|144200}} - {{INRConvert|218200}} monthly<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" /><ref name=":India Today 7CPC" /> | website = {{URL|https://www.india.gov.in/|Official Website}} | department = Government of India | native_name = {{IAST|Kendrīya Sanyukt Sachiv}} | member_of = | termlength_qualified = {{small|(Term can be extended).}} }} {{Politics of India}} '''Joint Secretary to the Government of India''' (often abbreviated as '''JS, GoI''' or '''Union Joint Secretary''' or '''Joint Secretary to Union of India''') is a post under the Central Staffing Scheme<ref name="CSS">{{cite web|url=http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02eod/36_77_94_EO(SM-I).pdf|title=The Central Staffing Scheme|date=January 1996|publisher=Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions|access-date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310222757/http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02eod/36_77_94_EO(SM-I).pdf|archive-date=10 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the third highest non-political executive rank<ref name="SC Lateral Entry JS">{{cite web|url=http://www.livelaw.in/retd-ias-officer-moves-sc-against-lateral-entry-to-post-of-jt-secys-read-petition/|title=Retd IAS Officer Moves SC Against Lateral Entry To Post Of Jt Secys|publisher=Livelaw.in|access-date=24 July 2018}}</ref> in the Government of India. The authority for creation of this post solely rests with the Cabinet of India.<ref name="Joint Secretary Cabinet India">{{cite web|title=Only Cabinet can create Joint Secretary, above level posts|url=https://www.ptinews.com/news/8615222_Only-Cabinet-can-create-Joint-Secretary--above-level-posts.html|publisher=Press Trust of India|access-date=18 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622190649/https://www.ptinews.com/news/8615222_Only-Cabinet-can-create-Joint-Secretary--above-level-posts.html|archive-date=2017-06-22}}</ref>

Joint secretary is mostly a career civil servant and is a government official of high seniority.<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/parity-between-ias-and-non-ias-the-ias-will-get-to-decide/story-9RijZjXY4DeaPlvo8m25mJ.html|title=Parity between IAS and non-IAS? The IAS will get to decide|last=Tikku|first=Aloke|date=15 January 2016|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=13 August 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/alleging-bias-non-ias-officers-petition-pm-modi-4473316/|title=Alleging bias, non-IAS officers petition PM Modi|last=Dastidar|first=Avishek G|date=14 January 2017|work=The Indian Express|access-date=13 August 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Sahai JS ACC NSCS">{{cite web|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/sahai-appointed-joint-secretary-nscs/231172.html|title=Sahai appointed Joint Secretary NSCS: ACC Appointment|date=18 October 2016|website=Greater Kashmir|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020204520/http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/sahai-appointed-joint-secretary-nscs/231172.html|archive-date=20 October 2016|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2017|df=dmy}}</ref> The civil servants who hold this rank and post are either from All India Services or Central Civil Services. All promotions and appointments to this rank and post are directly made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

In the functioning of the Government of India, a joint secretary is the administrative head of a wing in a department.<ref name="JS GOI">{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/key-posts-vacant-at-centre-few-takers-116061100631_1.html |title=Archive: JS-level posts vacant at Centre, few takers|access-date=6 November 2016 |publisher=Business Standard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106170600/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/key-posts-vacant-at-centre-few-takers-116061100631_1.html |archive-date=6 November 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref> Joint secretaries in the Union Government<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(4).pdf|title=Part I of the Constitution of India- The Union and its territory - Article 1|website=Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010141832/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(4).pdf|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(17).pdf|title=Part XIV of the Constitution of India- Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits - Article 300|website=Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203131439/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi%2Denglish/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss%2817%29.pdf|archive-date=3 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Services under the Union and the states">{{cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(19).pdf|title=Part XIV of the Constitution of India- Services under the Union and the States - Article 312(2)|website=Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India|language=en|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203131448/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(19).pdf|archive-date=3 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> is analogous to Major General<ref name="Military Civilian parity">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1161028/jsp/nation/story_116104.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028151302/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161028/jsp/nation/story_116104.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 October 2016|title=Govt 'clarifies', soldiers upset|last=Dutta|first=Sujjan|date=28 October 2017|website=The Telegraph|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref> and equivalent ranks<ref name="Army Pay Rules">{{cite web|title=Army Officers Pay Rules, 2017: Government of India|url=http://www.mod.nic.in/writereaddata/ArmyOfficersPayRules.pdf|work=Ministry of Defence (India)|access-date=23 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516184107/http://www.mod.nic.in/writereaddata/ArmyOfficersPayRules.pdf|archive-date=16 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> in the Indian Armed Forces and are listed as such in the Order of Precedence.<ref name="rajyasabha2">{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/guidline_govt_mp/chap11.pdf|title=Order of Precedence|date=26 July 1979|work=Rajya Sabha|publisher=President's Secretariat|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|title=Table of Precedence|date=26 July 1979|website=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|publisher=President's Secretariat|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527155701/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/hindi/top|title=Table of Precedence|website=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|publisher=President's Secretariat|access-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428030937/http://mha.nic.in/hindi/top|archive-date=28 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Maheshwari 2001 6662">{{cite book|title=Indian Administration|edition=6th|last=Maheshwari|first=S.R.|publisher=Orient Blackswan Private Ltd.|year=2000|isbn=9788125019886|location=New Delhi}}</ref> In the Department of Military Affairs of the Ministry of Defence, an officer from all the three armed forces of the rank of Major General and equivalent<ref name="DMA Uniformed 2021">{{cite web |title=Uniformed officers appointed as additional secretary and joint secretaries in department of military affairs|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/may/06/uniformed-officers-appointed-as-additional-secretary-and-joint-secretaries-in-department-of-military-2299136.html|work=The New Indian Express |access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref> is currently appointed{{efn|name=MOD Military JS|See Vikram Menon.}} and designated as Joint Secretary (Army/Navy/AirForce).<ref name="DMA MoD">{{cite web |title=Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence (India)|url=https://mod.gov.in/department-military-affairs |work=Ministry of Defence (India) |access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="CDS Military JS">{{cite web |title=CDS wants appointment of military officers as joint secretary in defence ministry |url=https://theprint.in/defence/cds-wants-appointment-of-military-officers-as-joint-secretary-in-defence-ministry/364257/ |work=The Print |access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref>

The Special Protection Group is sometimes headed by an Inspector General rank holder,<ref name="SPG Chief">{{cite web |work=The Times of India |access-date=14 May 2019 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/NDA-appoints-second-SPG-chief-within-15-months/articleshow/51465566.cms|title=NDA appoints second SPG chief within 15 months}}</ref><ref name="SPG Chief2">{{cite web |work=The Times of India |access-date=14 May 2019 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mha-calls-rahuls-remark-on-former-spg-chief-baseless/articleshow/65942086.cms|title=MHA calls Rahul's remark on former SPG chief 'baseless'}}</ref> who is designated as Joint Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. Joint secretaries (GOI) rank 26th on Order of Precedence of India.<ref name="rajyasabha2" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name="Maheshwari 2001 6662" />

==History== The post of joint secretary in the Government of India was created in the 1920s. The salary of a member in this rank and post was fixed at Rs. 36,000 per annum in the 1930s.<ref name="Britain Imperial">{{cite book|title=Britain's Imperial Administrators, 1858-1966|last=Kirk-Greene|first=A.|author-link = Anthony Kirk-Greene |publisher=Springer|year=2000|isbn=9780230286320|location=New York City}}</ref> The salaries of Joint Secretary in Government of India during the British Raj was same to the Chief Secretary of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, Punjab and Burma.{{efn|name=fn1|As per published records and book named "The India List and India Office List 1905" as published by India Office and India Office Records.}} As per Warrant of Precedence of 1905,{{efn|name=fn1}} joint secretaries in the Government of India were listed together with secretaries to the Government of India and ranked above of chief secretaries of provincial governments.{{efn|name=fn1}}

During the majority of the British period, particularly between 1920 and 1940, the position of Joint Secretary to the Government of India functioned as the second-highest rank within central departments, subordinate only to Secretary to the Government of India. By the mid-1940s, the designation of Additional Secretary was introduced in select departments, but was not yet universal.

In 1937, the Central Secretariat contained only seven joint secretaries,<ref name="Maheshwari 2001 666">{{cite book|title=Indian Administration|edition=Sixth|last=Maheshwari|first=S. B.|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=2001|isbn=9788125019886|pages=666}}</ref> who were members of the Imperial Civil Service and other services. However, by 1946, the number had increased to twenty-five.

Before Partition of India, in 1946, Iskander Mirza was elevated as Joint Secretary<ref name="Head State">{{cite book|title=Heads of States and Governments Since 1945|last=Lentz|first=Harris M. |publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2014|isbn=9781134264971}}</ref> at the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi,<ref name="Head State"/> who later went onto become 1st President of Pakistan.<ref name="Head State"/><ref name="Head State2">{{cite book|title=The City of Hope - The Faridabad Story|last=Jain|first=L. C.|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|year=1998|isbn=9788170227489}}</ref> In 1920, George Gall Sim served as Joint Secretary in the Finance Department to assist with major financial administrative reforms. In 1936, Tennant Sloan served as Joint Secretary in Home Department.{{efn|See 1936 New Year Honours.}} In 1919, Henry Smith served as Joint Secretary in the Legislative Department. Hawthorne Lewis was appointed as Joint Secretary in the Reforms Office.<ref name="VPM">{{cite book|last=Basu|first=Narayani|title=V. P. Menon: The Unsung Architect of Modern India|year=2020|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=|isbn=9789386797681}}</ref>

According to A. D. Gorwala, ICS, "The joint secretaries ought to in reality be what the name implies, namely secretaries for the subject entrusted to them and joined to a more senior secretary for the convenience of administrative work."<ref name="Richard Tottenham" /> Sir Richard Tottenham, ICS had once expressed "In my opinion there is, or should be, no distinction of function, but only of pay between a joint and an additional Secretary. Additional and joint secretaries should not be either cheap secretaries or expensive deputy secretaries."<ref name="Richard Tottenham">{{cite book|last=Jayapalan|first=N.|title=Indian Administration 2 Vols. Set|year=2001|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distri|isbn=9788171569212|pages=668}}</ref>

===Prime Minister's Office=== During the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru as the prime minister, the then Prime Minister's Secretariat was headed by a joint secretary.<ref name="PS PM">{{cite book|title=Handbook Of Public Relations In India|last=Mehta|first=Dalpat Singh|publisher=Allied Publishers|year=1968|isbn=978-8170233343|location=New Delhi|pages=135}}</ref> Currently, in Prime Minister's Office (India), the private secretary(ies) to Prime Minister of India is always in the rank and post of Joint Secretary to Government of India.

==Tenure and Appointment== ===Tenure=== A member of All India Services is appointed to this rank and post only on tenure. This tenure is a deputation to the Central Government and is fixed for 5 years, after which they are sent back to their own parent cadre.

A member of Central Civil Services is appointed to this rank and post as per vacancy in their own service cadre and are empanelled.

===Appointment=== In 2020, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions memorandum stated that Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has directed that not less than two years experience at deputy secretary/director (GOI) level under the Central Staffing Scheme shall be mandatory for empanelment at joint secretary level (GOI) at the Centre in respect of IAS officers from 2007 batch.<ref name="JS 2007">{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/more-reform-for-ias-officers-as-modi-govt-adds-new-criteria-to-pick-joint-secretaries/446672/|title=More reform for IAS officers as Modi govt adds new criteria to pick joint secretaries|publisher=ThePrint|access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref>

== Powers, responsibilities and postings == alt=|thumb|200px|The organizational structure of a department of the Government of India. [[File:C H Bhabha inaugurating meeting of the Indian Oilseeds Committee.jpg|thumb|left|C. H. Bhabha with a Secretary and a few Joint Secretaries to Government of India in 1947.]] thumb|right|U. Win with a Joint Secretary to Government of India in 1947.

Joint secretary is the overall in charge with the necessary measure of independent functioning and responsibility of the wing of the department allocated and entrusted to him.<ref name="Powers and Duties">{{cite web |publisher=Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion |access-date=21 August 2014 |date=21 August 2014 |url=http://dipp.nic.in/English/RTI/rti_Power_Duties.htm |title=Powers and Duties of Officers and Employees as defined in the Manual of Office Procedure |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823033029/http://dipp.nic.in/English/RTI/rti_Power_Duties.htm |archive-date=23 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A joint secretary in charge of Administration also exercises all administrative powers as head of the department wing of the ministry/department.<ref name="CSMOP India">{{cite web|url=http://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/CSMOP_0_0.pdf|title=Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure - 14th Edition (2015)|publisher=Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension|page=6|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>

The Prime Minister of India is the final authority on posting and transfer of officers of joint secretary level.<ref name="Postings and Transfer2">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/PM-to-oversee-cadre-allocation-of-bureaucrats-postings-of-joint-secretaries-and-above/articleshow/40451799.cms|title=PM to oversee cadre allocation of bureaucrats, postings of joint secretaries and above|date=21 August 2014|work=The Times of India|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

===Reporting=== Joint secretaries report to their divisional/departmental additional secretary, departmental secretary and ministerial/departmental cabinet minister. In 2023, Government of India empowered all Joint secretaries to the Government of India to report directly to Secretary to Government of India, to increase efficiency in decision-making.<ref name="JS Report 2023">{{cite web |publisher=NDTV |access-date=28 January 2024 |date=29 March 2023 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-empowers-joint-secretaries-to-directly-report-to-secretaries-3903671 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128135339/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/centre-empowers-joint-secretaries-to-directly-report-to-secretaries-3903671 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-01-28 |title=Centre Empowers Joint Secretaries To Directly Report To Secretaries}}</ref>

==Position== ===Union/Central Government of India=== In the Union government, the members head department wings in the departments and ministries of the Union government,<ref name="CSMOP India" /> and hold positions such as chief vigilance officer (CVO),<ref name="CVO Appointment">{{cite web |publisher=The Economic Times |access-date=18 November 2015 |date=17 November 2015 |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/no-foreign-job-for-babus-who-fail-to-join-as-cvos-centre/articleshow/49819517.cms |title=No foreign job for babus who fail to join as CVOs: Centre}}</ref> chief administrative officer (CAO), Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Director General of Civil Aviation of India,<ref name="DGCA India">{{cite web |publisher=The Sunday Standard |access-date=2 May 2014 |date=31 December 2014 |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/civil-aviation-ministry-embraces-new-year-with-top-level-changes-113123100938_1.html |title=Civil aviation ministry embraces new year with top-level changes}}</ref><ref name="JS DGCA">{{cite web |work=The Times of India |access-date=2 May 2014 |date=27 December 2013 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Joint-secretary-Kumar-proposed-as-new-DGCA/articleshow/27994912.cms |title=Joint secretary Kumar proposed as new DGCA}}</ref> director general of National Literacy Mission Authority, economic advisers, advisors of TRAI, Joint Directors of CBI,<ref name="CBI Ranks">{{cite web |publisher=Central Bureau of Investigation |access-date=1 August 2014 |date=3 February 2014 |url=http://cbi.nic.in/recruitments/Strength%20with%20pay%20scales.pdf |title=Sanctioned Strength of Central Bureau of Investigation – Executive Officers}}</ref> additional directors general (AIR and Doordarshan),<ref name="DG AIR">{{cite web |publisher=freepresskashmir.com |access-date=14 June 2014 |date=3 February 2014 |url=http://freepresskashmir.com/sheheryar-first-kashmiri-appointed-director-general-to-air-145802/ |title=Sheheryar, First Kashmiri Appointed as Director General All India Radio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226040643/http://freepresskashmir.com/sheheryar-first-kashmiri-appointed-director-general-to-air-145802/ |archive-date=26 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> board members of Staff Selection Commission of India<ref name="SSC Board Member">{{cite web |publisher=Minister of Home Affairs (India) |access-date=2 May 2014 |date=27 December 2013 |url=http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/CentDep-MemebeSSC-020813.PDF |title=Selection of Appointment of Member of Staff Selection Commission of India}}</ref> commissioners of Taxes and Police, chief engineers in central departments.

They also hold the post of Social Secretary and Press Secretary to President of India.

Government nominated board members in the Central Public Sector Enterprises/Public Sector Undertakings are either of the rank of additional secretary or joint secretary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dpe.gov.in/sites/default/files/B-Composition%20of%20Board%20of%20Directors_0.pdf|title=CHAPTER II PERSONNEL POLICIES (b) Composition of Board of Directors|website=Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India|access-date=12 January 2018}}</ref>

===State Government(s) of India=== A Principal Secretary or Divisional Commissioner in a state government can be deputed/posted as Joint Secretary in the center<ref name="Principal Secretary UP CM2">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/three-more-ias-officers-from-state-posted-as-joint-secretaries-in-modi-govt/|title=Three more IAS officers from state posted as joint secretaries in Modi govt|date=2 April 2015|website=The Indian Express|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="PS UP2">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/yogi-adiyanath-seeks-former-gorakhpur-district-magistrate-as-principal-secretary-4582617/|title=Yogi Adiyanath seeks former Gorakhpur DM as Principal Secretary|date=23 March 2017|website=The Indian Express|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Modi Gujarat JS2">{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/awanish-kumar-awasthi-appointed-principal-secretary-to-up-cm-117041100998_1.html|title=Awanish Kumar Awasthi appointed Principal Secretary to UP CM|date=11 April 2017|work=Business Standard|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref>

===Union Territory of India=== {{Main|Chief secretary (India)#Union territories}} A person who is empanelled as Joint Secretary in the Central Government can also hold the position of the Chief Secretary/Administrator of a Union Territory.

==International deputations== In the Ministry of External Affairs, the posting in the rank and post of Ambassador / Deputy Chief of Mission to a Diplomatic mission begins at the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Indian Foreign Service.<ref name="MEA 2014">{{cite web |publisher=The Sunday Standard |access-date=12 March 2014 |date=2 March 2014 |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/MEA-Moves-its-Men-Post-Haste/2014/03/02/article2085131.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307102250/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/MEA-Moves-its-Men-Post-Haste/2014/03/02/article2085131.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 March 2014 |title=MEA Moves its Men, Post-Haste}}</ref> The post of Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs is a holder of this rank in federal government.

On deputation, Joint Secretary (GOI) can hold senior positions at the United Nations, such as India's permanent representative to UNESCO,<ref name="PR India UN JS">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/061116/dilli-ka-babu-permanent-representative-of-india-in-unesco-an-ias-post.html|title=Dilli Ka Babu: Permanent Representative of India in Unesco an IAS post|last=Cherian|first=Dilip|date=6 November 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106170327/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/061116/dilli-ka-babu-permanent-representative-of-india-in-unesco-an-ias-post.html|archive-date=6 November 2016|url-status=live|access-date=3 October 2017|df=dmy}}</ref> Conference on Disarmament.<ref name="UND JS">{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pankaj-sharma-appointed-indias-ambassador-to-un-conference-on-disarmament/articleshow/66094848.cms|title=Pankaj Sharma appointed India's ambassador to UN Conference on Disarmament|publisher=The Economic Times|access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref>

==International equivalency== The rank of Joint Secretary in Government of India is analogous and equivalent to Assistant Secretary or Under Secretary in the federal government of the United States.{{efn|As per rank-post analogous and equivalent to Major General in Armed Forces.}} The rank is equivalent to Director{{efn|In Civil Service (United Kingdom), Director (SCS Pay Band 2) in equivanet to Major General in British Armed Forces.}} in Senior Civil Service of His Majesty's Home Civil Service.{{efn|As per rank-post analogous and equivalent to Major General in Armed Forces.}}

In Government of Pakistan the position would be equivalent to rank of Additional Secretary (BS-21){{efn|See and refer to Government employees in Pakistan. As per rank-post analogous and equivalent to Major General in Armed Forces.}} and Additional Secretary (Grade 3) in Government of Bangladesh.{{efn|As per rank-post analogous and equivalent to Major General in Armed Forces.}}

== Emolument, accommodation and perks == thumb|An Indian Diplomatic Passport and an Official Passport generally issued to Joint Secretary (GOI). All joint secretaries to the Government of India are entitled to a diplomatic passport.<ref name="Diplomatic GOI">{{cite web |publisher=Government of India |access-date=17 July 2024|url=https://mowr.nic.in/Previous-site/section/ea/Guidelines_foreign_visit.pdf|title=Guidelines and procedure adopted in cases of foreign visit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313032249/https://mowr.nic.in/Previous-site/section/ea/Guidelines_foreign_visit.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2024 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They are allotted Type-V (D-II and D-I) and Type-VI (C-II) apartments in areas like New Moti Bagh across Delhi by Ministry of Urban Development's Directorate of Estates.<ref name="Live Residence">{{cite web |publisher=Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Urban Development |access-date=21 July 2014 |date=January 2013 |url=http://estates.nic.in/WriteReadData/dlrtiact/compendium.pdf |title=Compendium (RTI Act) – Government Residence (General Pool in Delhi) Rules |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113222729/http://estates.nic.in/WriteReadData/dlrtiact/compendium.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The salary and emolument in this rank is equivalent<ref name="Army Pay Rules"/> to Major General and equivalent ranks in Indian Armed Forces.<ref name="Army Pay Rules"/><ref name="7 Pay Commission Report">{{cite web|url=http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|title=Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission of India|website=Seventh Central Pay Commission, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf|archive-date=2015-11-20|url-status=dead|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1ex 0 1ex 1ex; " |- Colspan="2" style="text-align: center; " |+ '''Joint Secretary, GoI monthly pay and allowances''' ! Base Salary as per 7th Pay Commission (Per month) !! Level on Pay Matrix !Sources |- | {{INRConvert|144200}} '''(Minimum Pay)''' to {{INRConvert|218200}} '''(Maximum Pay)''' | Level 14 |<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" /><ref name=":India Today 7CPC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/7th-pay-commission-cleared-what-is-pay-commission-how-does-it-effect-our-pockets-16980-2016-06-29|title=7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries?|date=29 June 2016|editor-last=Biswas|editor-first=Shreya|website=India Today|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref> |}

===Personal Staff=== All Joint Secretaries to the Government of India are entitled to an official car<ref name="Car GOI">{{cite web |publisher=Ministry of Finance (India) |access-date=17 July 2024|url=https://doe.gov.in/files/circulars_document/staff_car_OM.pdf|title=Instructions for use of staff car in Central Government Offices - Government of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717034826/https://doe.gov.in/files/circulars_document/staff_car_OM.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2024 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a Principal Private Secretary (PPS) as a staff member while serving the post in Union Ministries of India.

==Reforms and challenges == Non-IAS civil services have complained to Government of India because of lack of empanelment in the rank/post of joint secretary on numerous occasions.<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/ias-emperor-the-kings|title=IAS: Emperor among the kings?|last=Tripathi|first=Shishir|date=8 December 2015|work=Governance Now|access-date=13 August 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/non-ias-bureaucrats-now-eligible-secretary-level-posts-288|title=Non-IAS bureaucrats now eligible for secretary-level posts|date=18 January 2016|work=The Asian Age|access-date=13 August 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/need-pay-parity-with-ias-officers-say-officials-of-20-civil-services-1426279|title=Need Pay Parity With IAS Officers, Say Officials Of 20 Civil Services|date=30 June 2016|work=NDTV|access-date=13 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> As per the Seventh Central Pay Commission of India, IAS officers held 249 out of 341 positions of Joint Secretary in the Government of India.<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" /> In 2021, as per media reports the share of IAS at Joint Secretary in Government of India has fallen to 33%.<ref name="JS IAS wane" /> Since 2017–18, IAS officers holding JS rank have now become a minority in almost all central government offices.<ref name="JS IAS wane">{{cite web |publisher= The Economic Times|access-date=25 June 2020 |date=19 June 2021|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/why-the-top-political-establishment-doesnt-seem-to-be-too-unhappy-about-the-declining-clout-of-ias-lobby/articleshow/83464540.cms|title=Influence Of IAS Lobby Wanes At Centre As Joint Secretary Share Falls From Virtual Monopoly To 33 Per Cent}}</ref>

[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s third interaction with the Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries, in New Delhi on August 26, 2017.jpg|thumb|300px|left|14th Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi talking with Joint Secretaries (GOI) and Additional Secretaries (GOI) in New Delhi in 2017.]] In 2015, Government of India modified joint secretary-level empanelment process to ensure greater uniformity, consistency and transparency.<ref name="JS Reform GOI">{{cite web |publisher=The Sen Times |access-date=1 June 2015 |date=1 June 2015 |url=http://www.tkbsen.in/2015/06/joint-secretary-level-empanelment-process-modified-for-ias-officers/ |title=Joint Secretary-Level Empanelment Process Modified}}</ref> Under the prime ministership of Narendra Modi, however, the situation has slightly altered, choices for civil servants being appointed to this rank and post were from non IAS cadre.<ref name="Non IAS JS2">{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/non-ias-officers-are-top-choices-for-modi-government-for-the-crucial-joint-secretary-positions/articleshow/51031598.cms|title=Non-IAS officers are top choices for Modi government for the crucial Joint Secretary positions|date=18 February 2016|publisher=The Economic Times|access-date=15 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="JS Appointment GOI 20162">{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/XKyLtqlqwLrPvlyCzGuJyH/Govt-appoints-28-officers-half-non-IAS-to-joint-secretary.html|title=Govt appoints 28 officers, half non IAS, to joint secretary level posts|last1=Roche|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Aggarwal|first2=Mayank|date=14 July 2016|work=Live Mint|publisher=HT Media Ltd|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref> Almost half the choices for the position have been given to Central Civil Services and All India Services (excluding IAS).<ref name="Non IAS JS2" /><ref name="JS Appointment GOI 20162" />

===Lateral entry=== There was lateral entry in Government of India during 1950s and 1960s, where Manmohan Singh (1971–1972) and Montek Singh Ahluwalia (1979), both served as Economic Advisers in the rank of Joint Secretary at Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Finance. However, after that period, lateral entry in this rank was not seen.

In 2009, 20th Governor of Reserve Bank of India Bimal Jalan had voiced for posts at the level of joint secretary to be opened up to outside competition.<ref name="Reform">{{cite web |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=12 March 2014 |date=29 July 2009 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/bring-in-experts-snip-away-red-tape/article1-437741.aspx |title=Bring in experts. Snip away red tape |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314133318/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/bring-in-experts-snip-away-red-tape/article1-437741.aspx |archive-date=14 March 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In June 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced first opening up 10 posts of joint secretary (GOI) rank/post in several departments to experts in several fields through lateral entry. In 2019, Government of India short listed 89 candidates from 6000+ candidates,<ref name="JS Shortlist 2019">{{cite web|title=JS-level recruitment from pvt sector: Only 89 of over 6,000 candidates short-listed|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/jslevel-recruitment-from-pvt-sector-only-89-of-over-6000-candidates-shortlisted/1480925|access-date=21 January 2019}}</ref> with an initial shortlist success rate of 1.4%. After a year, a lateral entry resigned.<ref name="Entry Resign">{{cite web|title=Arun Goel, lateral entrant joint secretary in commerce ministry, resigns after a year|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/arun-goel-lateral-entrant-joint-secretary-in-commerce-ministry-resigns-after-a-year/567822/|access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref>

In 2021, Government of India announced second opening up 3 posts of joint secretary (GOI) rank/post in several departments.<ref name="Entry 2021">{{cite web|title=Not much enthusiasm for Modi govt's latest IAS lateral entry push, just about 1,200 apply|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/not-much-enthusiasm-for-modi-govts-latest-ias-lateral-entry-push-just-about-1200-apply/653636/|access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref>

===Supreme Court of India cases and decisions=== In 2017, 44th Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar held that responses on behalf of Government of India before the Supreme Court should be filed by officers not below the ranks of joint secretary (GOI) or additional secretary (GOI).<ref name="JS SCI">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-confidential-new-responseibility-4468682/|title=Delhi Confidential: New Respons(e)ibility|date=11 January 2017|work=The Indian Express|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Affidavit SC JS">{{cite web|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/8276002_SC-against-filing-of-affidavit-below-officer-of-Jt-Secy-level-.html|title=SC against filing of affidavit below officer of Jt Secy level|date=10 January 2017|work=Press Trust of India|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref>

In 2023, Supreme Court of India held that there was no need for the Central Bureau of Investigation to seek prior sanction for the prosecution of joint secretary (GOI) and above-rank officers in cases registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.<ref name="SC JS">{{cite web|title=No need for prior approval to prosecute Joint Secretary, above rank officers in corruption cases: SC|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/no-need-for-prior-approval-to-prosecute-joint-secretary-above-rank-officers-in-corruption-cases-sc-2681336|access-date=14 January 2024|publisher=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref name="SC JS2">{{cite web|title=2014 verdict striking down DSPE Act provision providing immunity to officers will have retrospective effect: Supreme Court|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/suoreme-court-2014-verdict-article-20-dspe-act-8934399/|access-date=14 January 2024|publisher=Indian Express Limited}}</ref>

==Popular culture and depictions== In Bollywood film Article 370 released in year 2024, actress Priyamani plays Joint Secretary GOI in Prime Minister's Office, who emerges as the brain behind getting the special status abrogated from Kashmir.<ref name="BM 370">{{cite web|title='Article 370' Review: Yami Gautam, Priya Mani impress in film on Kashmir politics|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/article-370-review-yami-gautam-priya-mani-kashmiri-politics-2506064-2024-02-23|access-date=20 May 2025|publisher=India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314122424/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/article-370-review-yami-gautam-priya-mani-kashmiri-politics-2506064-2024-02-23|archive-date=2025-03-14}}</ref><ref name="BM 3701">{{cite web|title=Article 370 Review: Yami Gautam Delivers Stellar Performance in Hard-hitting Political Drama|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/article-370-review-yami-gautam-delivers-stellar-performance-in-hard-hitting-political-drama-8789305.html|access-date=20 May 2025|publisher=News18 India}}</ref> In spy thriller film Khufiya released in year 2023, actor Ali Fazal plays the role of Rabinder Singh, who served as Joint Secretary in RAW and a double agent.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2023 |title=Does US Charge in Pannun Case Show Double Standard? A Look at How CIA Hoodwinked RAW's Rabinder Singh |url=https://www.news18.com/explainers/does-us-charge-in-pannun-case-show-double-standard-a-look-at-how-cia-hoodwinked-raws-rabinder-singh-8682739.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211191233/https://www.news18.com/explainers/does-us-charge-in-pannun-case-show-double-standard-a-look-at-how-cia-hoodwinked-raws-rabinder-singh-8682739.html |archive-date=11 December 2023 |access-date=1 December 2023 |website=News18}}</ref>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== Bibliography == {{Refbegin|}} * {{cite book|title=Indian Administration|edition=6th|last=Maheshwari|first=S.R.|publisher=Orient Blackswan Private Ltd.|year=2000|isbn=9788125019886|location=New Delhi}} * {{cite book|title=Britain's Imperial Administrators, 1858-1966|last=Kirk-Greene|first=A.|publisher=Springer|year=2000|isbn=9780230286320|location=New York City}} * {{cite book|last=Jayapalan|first=N.|title=Indian Administration 2 Vols. Set|year=2001|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distri|isbn=9788171569212}} * {{cite book|title=Handbook Of Public Relations In India|last=Mehta|first=Dalpat Singh|publisher=Allied Publishers|year=1968|isbn=978-8170233343|location=New Delhi}} {{refend}}

==External links== * [https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pms-interaction-with-additional-secretaries-and-joint-secretaries/ PM’s interaction with Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries] Prime Minister's Office, 2017

{{Government of India}} {{Union ministries of India}}

Category:Central Civil Services (India) Category:Indian government officials