Para 14 — CSMOP
Original Rule Text
# 14. Level of disposal and channel of submission -
(i) Each Ministry/Department shall lay down a detailed scheme of delegation at all levels so that the decision making takes place at the most appropriate level. This shall be updated from time to time and placed in public domain.
(ii) The number of levels through which a file passes for a decision shall not exceed four.
(iii) Wherever level jumping is done in respect of any category of cases, each such case on its return, will pass through all the levels jumped over, who in suitable cases could resubmit the cases for reconsideration.
(iv) In case of urgent matters, the decisions may be conveyed directly to the officer concerned for implementation, who after doing the same, shall bring it to the notice of the levels of officers, that have been jumped in the hierarchy.
What This Means
Para 14 deals with the level at which decisions should be taken and how files should move through the hierarchy. The core principle is that each ministry must have a clear delegation scheme: every category of case must have a defined level at which it is to be decided. This ensures that routine matters are not unnecessarily pushed up to senior levels, and that senior officers' time is freed for matters that genuinely require their judgment. Importantly, every ministry is required to publish this delegation scheme on its public website.
A key constraint is that no file should pass through more than four levels of hierarchy before a final decision is taken. This is a firm limit designed to prevent the bureaucratic tendency to push files upward to avoid responsibility. However, there is a provision for 'level jumping' — in certain category of cases, some levels in the hierarchy may be bypassed. When this is done, on the file's return journey, it must pass through every level that was bypassed so that all officers are informed of the decision.
For urgent matters, a decision may be communicated directly to the implementing officer — skipping the normal file movement — but the officer must then bring the matter to the notice of all levels that were bypassed, and obtain their awareness after the fact. This prevents urgency from becoming a tool to avoid oversight.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Every ministry must have a published delegation of powers scheme covering all levels.
- 2Decision-making must happen at the most appropriate level — not unnecessarily pushed upward.
- 3No file should pass through more than four levels of hierarchy to reach a decision.
- 4Level jumping is permitted in prescribed categories but requires the jumped levels to be informed on return.
- 5In urgent cases, decisions can be communicated directly for implementation, with subsequent notification to bypassed levels.
- 6The delegation scheme must be placed in the public domain and updated periodically.
Practical Example
In the Ministry of Housing, a contract extension request comes in. The delegation scheme says such extensions up to six months can be approved at the Under Secretary level. The file should not go above the Under Secretary — the Joint Secretary does not need to see it. If the Section Officer sends it to the Director (a level above) 'just to be safe', this violates the delegation scheme. In an urgent case, if the Joint Secretary phones the implementing office with approval before the file physically reaches them, the Joint Secretary must later ensure all intervening levels (Under Secretary, Director) are informed through a written communication.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.