The DoPT has said in its circular dated September 17 that the information is required to formulate manpower planning and policies. The ministries and departments have been directed to send the details in a pre-set format by September-end.
A senior government official said the DoPT move may be aimed at rationalizing senior bureaucracy by merging similar cadres. Roles of officers in various cadres could also be changed to realign their qualification and works.
The information to be furnished to DoPT ranges from duty charter of officers, flagship projects executed by them to additional qualifications held by the officers at the time of their recruitment.
"There may be plans to merge various cadres since there is multiplicity. Some of the engineering services could be clubbed. The exercise could eventually result in rationalization of manpower," said an official.
Once rationalization exercise is complete, senior positions could be filled on contractual basis also thus saving for the government.
The cadre review division of the DoPT has been tasked with setting standards for various cadres and hence in the past sought related information from ministries and cadre-controlling authorities.
A DoPT official termed the September 17 memorandum as routine but some officials pointed out that the details sought through it are far more comprehensive.
"With matters related to cadre review and restructuring, the cadre review division keeps sending letters to various ministries for providing certain information. It is quite normal," the DoPT official said.
In the format prepared by the DoPT, ministries have to provide method for recruitment in various cadres, career prospects and criteria for promotion, recruitment in the last 5 years, training imparted to officers and details of officers on deputation among others.
"There are many posts where promotion is very limited. There is need to address that and a thorough review of entire recruitment policy would help," said another official who did not wish to be named.
At present there are dozens of cadres controlled by various ministries. For instance, there are Indian Railway Service of Engineers (Civil), Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers, Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers and Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers in the Ministry of Railways.
The department of defence production (DoDP) has Defence Research and Development Service and Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service. Several other ministries have their own cadres of services and posts.
( With inputs from IANS )