Thiruvananthapuram: The notification for the recruitment of the second batch of the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) is likely to be delayed. The General Administration Department issued a new order on December 1, setting the Kerala cadre posts at 105, eliminating the possibility of new KAS posts.

However, it is learnt that the state government would approach Kerala High Court challenging the Kerala Administrative Tribunal’s ruling that raised cadre posts to 105. The government is also likely to amend KAS rules. These processes are expected to require some time.

The state government had planned to issue a notification for the second KAS batch by the end of 2023. It may be noted that the initial plan was to issue a notification by 2021. However, it prolonged as determining vacancies got delayed. 

Meanwhile, some of the candidates who are on the rank list (but not appointed) for the first batch of recruitment approached the Kerala Administrative Tribunal against the General Administration Department’s fixing of cadre posts. The Tribunal found that the General Administration Department fixed posts in violation of KAS Rules 4 and 18.  

The Tribunal issued an order regarding the same was issued on October 13. 

The General Administration Department’s new order has been pushed as a measure to topple the Tribunal ruling.