​On April 23, 2025, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the plea of Kerala cadre IAS officer Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy, who sought promotion to the Chief Secretary grade. The bench, comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi, upheld the Kerala High Court’s earlier decision, stating that Dr. Swamy did not meet the essential criterion of having 90% of his Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) completed, rendering him ineligible for promotion .​

Dr. Swamy, a 1991 batch IAS officer known for his integrity and anti-corruption stance, had argued that his exclusion was unjust, given his seniority and unblemished service record. He initially approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which dismissed his petition. Subsequently, the Kerala High Court also rejected his appeal, noting the absence of the requisite ACRs. The Supreme Court concurred with the High Court’s observation that the Screening Committee was handicapped in considering his request due to the lack of ACRs. The Court emphasized that nothing prevents Dr. Swamy from moving the authorities for the preparation of his ACRs and making a request for consideration for promotion in the future .

This decision underscores the importance of adhering to procedural requirements in service matters, even for officers with distinguished careers.

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