A controversial circular from the Narendra Modi government about rating the integrity of government servants has created a flutter in the bureaucracy.

According to this circular, the integrity of government officers would now be classified as beyond doubt, doubtful, most doubtful, in their annual performance appraisal reports (APAR).

On Friday, soon after the Central Secretariat opened, the confidential circular dated February 11, 2016,issued by the department of personnel and training was circulated among joint secretaries.

The circular asks supervisory officers to maintain a confidential diary to note the integrity of government staff, and consult this diary when filling the integrity column in their subordinates' APAR.


The officers have been asked to make a note in the diary about any instances that raise suspicion about the integrity of a subordinate and the action taken to verify the truth. They should also note the action taken by the supervisors,like making confidential departmental inquiries or referring the matter to the special police establishment for further action.


The circular justifies this system by saying that reporting officers often do not make a clear and categorical noting about the integrity of the officer being appraised.


Soon after receiving this circular, personal assistants and private secretaries started consulting legal experts to understand the implications of this circular and its legal validity.


Our correspondent tried to get hold of a copy the circular but no senior officer was ready to part with it.