ICAR Official Language Cadre Restructuring - Circular November 2025
📢 Important Announcement
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has issued a circular seeking comments on the proposed restructuring of the Official Language (OL) Cadre. This restructuring aims to align ICAR's OL Cadre with the Government of India structure and improve operational efficiency.
🔍 Background and Current Situation
Currently, the Official Language (OL) cadre in ICAR is divided into two distinct categories:
- Administrative Category: Comprising Group-A posts
- Technical Category: Comprising Hindi Translators
This structure is not fully aligned with the Government of India's framework. The existing arrangement has created operational complications as officials from these two categories function independently of each other. Additionally, provisions for OL Cadre posts and sanctioned strength at different units need review to meet organizational functional requirements.
🎯 Key Recommendations of the Committee
1. Restructuring of OL Cadre
The Official Language Cadre in ICAR should be restructured regarding hierarchy of posts, recruitment rules, etc., following the pattern of the OL Cadre of the Government of India.
2. Administrative Category Integration
All OL cadre posts from Translators to Director (OL) should be brought under the 'Administrative Category'.
3. Technical Service Phase-Out
The existing post of Hindi Translator under Technical Service may be declared as a dying cadre with no future recruitment. These posts will be phased out with the retirement of incumbents. Existing Translators under Technical category will continue to work as they are presently.
4. Zonal System Implementation
ICAR institutes will be divided into two broad geographical zones for streamlined and efficient management of Official Language work:
- One Director (OL) stationed at ICAR Headquarters
- One Director (OL) stationed at NAARM, Hyderabad
- Two Joint Directors posted in two large institutes in each zone
🗺️ Proposed Zonal Structure
Zone I (राजभाषा क्षेत्र-I)
States/UTs Covered: J&K, Ladakh, HP, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Western UP (institutes up to Meerut, Bareilly, Agra & Jhansi)
Structure:
- Director (OL) - posted at ICAR HQ, New Delhi
- Jt. Director (OL) - posted at NDRI, Karnal
- Jt. Director (OL) - posted at CAZRI, Jodhpur
Responsibilities: Supervision and coordination of all institutes in Zone I & II for OL matters and regular day-to-day work of ICAR HQ.
Zone II (राजभाषा क्षेत्र-II)
States/UTs Covered: Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, DNH & DD
Regular Work: Day-to-day work of CAZRI, Jodhpur
Zone III (राजभाषा क्षेत्र-III)
States/UTs Covered: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep
Structure:
- Director (OL) - posted at NAARM, Hyderabad
- Jt. Director (OL) - stationed at CMFRI, Cochin
- Jt. Director (OL) - posted at ICAR RC for NEH, Umiam
Responsibilities: Supervision and coordination of all institutes in Zone III & IV for OL matters and regular day-to-day work of NAARM, Hyderabad and CMFRI, Cochin.
Zone IV (राजभाषा क्षेत्र-IV)
States/UTs Covered: All North Eastern States, West Bengal, A&N Island, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha & Rest of UP
Regular Work: Day-to-day work of ICAR RC for ER Patna
📋 Proposed Recruitment Rules
ICAR should adopt Recruitment Rules for OL cadre posts issued by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, vide Notification dated 06.08.2021. The key recruitment structure is as follows:
| S.No. | Post Name | Pay Level | Method of Recruitment | Feeder Grade for Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director (OL) | Level-13 | 100% by Promotion (failing which by deputation) | Promotion of JD (OL) having 5 years regular service |
| 2 | Jt. Director (OL) | Level-12 | 100% by Promotion (failing which by deputation) | Promotion of DD (OL) having 5 years regular service |
| 3 | Dy. Director (OL) | Level-11 | 100% by Promotion (failing which by deputation) | Promotion of AD (OL) having 5 years regular service |
| 4 | Asst. Director (OL) | Level-10 | 75% by Promotion, 25% by Direct Recruitment | Promotion of STO having 3 years regular service |
| 5 | Sr. Translation Officer (STO) | Level-7 | 100% by Promotion (failing which by deputation) | Promotion of JTO having 5 years regular service |
| 6 | Jr. Translation Officer (JTO) | Level-6 | 100% by Direct Recruitment | As per Govt. of India prescribed qualifications |
📊 Proposed Cadre Strength Summary
Total Proposed Posts:
- Director (OL) - Level 13: 2 posts
- Joint Director (OL) - Level 12: 4 posts
- Deputy Director (OL) - Level 11: 8 posts
- Assistant Director (OL) - Level 10: 16 posts
- Senior Translation Officer - Level 7: 30 posts
- Junior Translation Officer - Level 6: 70 posts
Total OL Cadre Strength: 130 posts across 114 ICAR institutes/units
🎯 Benefits of Restructuring
- Better Coordination: Zonal system ensures improved supervision and coordination of Rajbhasha matters across all ICAR institutes
- Alignment with GoI: Structure will be consistent with Government of India's OL Cadre framework
- Operational Efficiency: Unified working system during Parliamentary Committee visits and other important matters
- Leadership Development: Joint Directors will independently handle significant portions of work, preparing them for future leadership roles
- Streamlined Functioning: Clear hierarchy and reporting structure will eliminate current operational complications
⏰ Important Deadline: All stakeholders are requested to provide their comments, inputs, and suggestions on sorp.icar.org.in and randpsection@gmail.com. Comments should be brief and to the point, and must be submitted within 10 days from the issuance of this circular.
📝 How to Submit Comments
Email Addresses:
- sorp.icar.org.in
- randpsection@gmail.com
Guidelines:
- Keep comments brief and to the point
- Submit within 10 days from circular issuance
- Address specific aspects of the restructuring proposal
✅ Who Should Respond
- All concerned officials of OL Cadre under Administrative Category
- Officials under Technical Category in ICAR
- All stakeholders in ICAR
- Directors/Project Directors of all Institutes/NRCs/Bureaux/PDs/ATARIs
- DDG (AS) and Committee members
📄 Download Official Circular
Get the complete official PDF document with detailed annexures and institute-wise cadre strength allocation
Download Original PDF Circular
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