New Delhi, December 17
Aimed at doing away with subjectivity in the promotions of armed forces’ officers, a new policy has been framed to allow only performance-oriented parameters to decide on when an officer should be promoted to the next rank. The new policy, which will come into force from January 1 next, was approved by Defence Minister A.K. Antony today.
A total of 95 per cent weightage will be allowed for three parameters — annual confidential reports (ACRs), clearing higher courses and winning battle honours. The rest (5 per cent) will be awarded by the selection board.
Of the 95 per cent, 71 per cent will be meant for the ACRs of the current rank while 20 per cent would account for the ACRs during the previous ranks of the officer. Then, 2 per cent each would be for career courses and battle honours.
Once implemented, the policy is likely to minimise human error while adjudging an officer for promotion.
Notably, the Army had ordered a study on how to quantify the maximum qualification of all possible variables that go into consideration at the time of promotion of an officer.
While mooting the idea of such a policy in December 2006, the Defence Minister had observed: “I want the proceedings of the selection board to be more objective. Each case of relaxation and superceding should have sufficient justification, which must be clearly brought out. Objective norms for promotion and conduct of board proceedings should be laid down. This will not only check arbitrariness, but also criticism and litigation.
