CAT Rules Kerala Cadre Posts Must Be Held Only by IAS Officers

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Ernakulam bench ruled that certain Kerala government posts, including Excise Commissioner, Director of Kerala Institute of Local Administration, and Director General of the Institute of Management in Government, are IAS cadre posts and must be filled exclusively by IAS officers. The tribunal directed that if these posts are held by non-IAS or retired IAS officers, they must be vacated immediately, with the posts remaining vacant until properly filled. It also mandated that IAS appointments and transfers be made in consultation with the Civil Services Board, following IAS Rules, 2014. The ruling affects current postings, including that of senior IPS officer M R Ajithkumar as Excise Commissioner, and declared that decisions made by officers in these posts so far will remain valid.