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RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2318
ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026

VACANCIES IN INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE

2318. DR. JOHN BRITTAS

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the sanctioned strength and the number of vacancies in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), as on date;

(b) the number and representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the Service, category-wise, as on date; and

(c) the details of officers appointed to the Service during the last five years, year-wise and category-wise (General, SC, ST, OBC and EWS)?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) As on 01 January 2026, the total sanctioned strength of the Indian Foreign Service is 1224 out ofwhich 1025 officers are in position.

(b) As on date, there are 214 OBC, 131 SC and 68 ST category officers in the Indian Foreign Service.

(c) Total number of officers appointed to Indian Foreign Service during the last five years, year-wise and category-wise (General, SC, ST, OBC and EWS) is as follows: