The creation of the Indian Education Service (IES) was envisaged in the National Policy on Education, 1986 (revised in 1992). The National Policy on Education, 1986/92 (Section 10.3) states "A proper management structure in education will entail the establishment of the Indian Education Service as an all-India service. It will bring a national perspective to this vital sector. The basic principles, functions and procedures of recruitment to this service will be decided in consultation with the state governments."

The Constitution of India was amended in 1976 to change education from a State subject to the Concurrent list. As envisaged in the National Policy on Education-1986(revised in 1992), development of education is pursued as a 'meaningful partnership between the Centre and the States'. Under a federal structure, the Centre and the States share the responsibilities for the planning and implementation of education development programmes. There exist well-defined mechanisms for sharing of resources and responsibilities between the Centre and the states, and for harmonious exercise of their respective powers in the planning and management of education programmes in the national interest.

Presently, the Government has initiated the process of formulating a New Education Policy for which it carried out a year-long highly participative, inclusive and multi-pronged consultation process, across 33 identified themes. The Ministry had constituted a Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy which submitted its report in May, 2016, wherein it states: “The earlier policies of 1968 and 86/92 had recommended creation of an All India Education Service. This matter can no longer be delayed. An Indian Education Service (IES) should be established as an all India service with officers being on permanent settlement to the state governments but with the cadre controlling authority vesting with the Ministry of HRD. Persons from IES would progressively occupy higher level policy posts at the Centre and in the States; the services of IES officers could also be loaned to universities and other national and state-level education institutions. It is proposed that recruitment to IES should be done through UPSC. “

Thereafter the Ministry has formulated ‘Some Inputs for the Draft National Education Policy, 2016’ wherein it reads: “The State will endeavour to implement the recommendations of earlier policies of 1968 and 1986/92 for the creation of an Indian Education Service (IES), which is reiterated herein too. The IES which will be an All India Service with HRD as the cadre controlling authority and till the IES comes into existence, an interim step of a one-time special recruitment by UPSC from among the existing academic and administrative positions in the education sector in various states will be made in concurrence with the states”.

Comments/suggestions were invited on ‘Some Inputs for the Draft National Education Policy, 2016’ from the Government of India Ministries, State Government, Hon’ble Members of Parliament and other stakeholders up to 30th September, 2016. A Committee under an eminent educationist will be appointed to prepare final draft NEP.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.

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GG/RT/AIES