Calling in forces

Arrayed against the states are the babus of the Indian Administrative Service. While the former no longer want IAS officers to head the district administrations, the bureaucrats feel it is time to reinforce their ranks. And in true bureaucratic style, they have made the calculations and are ready with figures to show how the number of districts across India have gone up, while recruitment to the IAS has come down on the ground of creating a leaner bureaucracy. Now for the first time in some 15 years, the UPSC will select over 100 candidates for the coveted service next year. The 110-strong infusion represents a huge jump in seats considering that on an average 65 officers have been inducted into the IAS annually in the past decade.