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Glossary
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| All India Services (AIS) | IAS, IPS, IFoS — recruited by UPSC; serve Centre and States | Art. 312 |
| Civil Services Examination | UPSC annual exam: Prelim + Mains + Interview; selects ~1,000 | Recruitment |
| LBSNAA | IAS training academy, Mussoorie; Foundation Course 16 weeks | Training |
| Lateral Entry | Direct specialist appointment at JS/Director bypassing UPSC exam | Recruitment reform |
| DPC | Committee (UPSC member chairs for Gp A) that decides promotions | Promotion |
| APAR | Performance report (2009); 10-point scale; replaces ACR | Appraisal |
| ACR | Predecessor to APAR; confidential; not disclosed to officer | Historical |
| SPARROW | Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window | APAR platform |
| Neutrality | Civil servant's impartial service to government of the day | Civil service ethic |
| AIS Conduct Rules, 1968 | Conduct code for IAS/IPS/IFoS: prohibitions and obligations | Code of conduct |
| CCS Conduct Rules, 1964 | Conduct code for all other Central Government employees | Code of conduct |
| Civil Services Board | 2014 body; consulted before transfers of AIS officers | Transfer protection |
| Hota Committee | 2004; P.C. Hota; recommended domain specialisation and APAR reform | Personnel reform |
| 2nd ARC | 2005–08; Moily; recommended Civil Services Act, fixed tenure | Reform |
| Article 311 | Constitutional protection — no dismissal without inquiry | Service safeguard |
| Article 316 | At least half UPSC/SPSC members must have 10-yr GoI experience | UPSC composition |
| Article 319 | UPSC/SPSC members ineligible for further government employment | Independence |
| Northcote-Trevelyan | 1854 UK report establishing permanent, merit-based civil service | Neutrality origin |
| Indra Sawhney (1992) | SC case; 50% ceiling on reservations; Mandal Commission | Reservation |
| FR 56(j) | Rule allowing compulsory retirement of non-performing officers at 25 years | Accountability |
| Bharat Darshan | IAS/AIS probationers' nationwide exposure tour during training | Training |
| Probation | Initial 2-year service period before permanent confirmation | Recruitment |
| Merit-cum-Seniority | Promotion principle: merit primarily, seniority as tiebreaker | Promotion |
| Vigilance Clearance | Certification of no pending major disciplinary/criminal case | DPC requirement |
| Domain Specialisation | Proposal to assign officers to specific ministry sectors for careers | Personnel reform |
Sources: Constitution of India (Articles 308–323); All India Services (Conduct) Rules 1968; CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964; UPSC Annual Reports; 2nd ARC Report on Personnel Administration (2008); Hota Committee Report (2004); Dev Dutt v. Union of India (2008); Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992); RPSC Mains PYQs 2013–2023; Avasthi & Maheshwari, Public Administration; DoPT Annual Reports.