Indian Corporate Law Service Rules, 2026: Comprehensive Guide to the Newly Notified Framework
Overview and Legal Basis
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has officially notified a revised regulatory framework governing the Indian Corporate Law Service through G.S.R. 863(E) dated 6th October, 2026. This notification, issued in exercise of powers conferred under the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution, supersedes the earlier Indian Corporate Law Service Rules, 2015, while preserving the validity of all actions taken or omitted under the previous rules prior to their supersession.
The new framework — formally titled the Indian Corporate Law Service Rules, 2026 — comes into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. It comprehensively governs the constitution, recruitment, promotion, service conditions, seniority, probation, and other related aspects of officers belonging to this cadre under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Constitution and Structure of the Service
Group 'A' Classification
Under Rule 3, the Indian Corporate Law Service is constituted as a formally recognised service comprising five distinct grades, all classified as Group 'A' posts:
- Higher Administrative Grade (HAG)
- Senior Administrative Grade (SAG)
- Junior Administrative Grade (JAG)
- Senior Time Scale (STS)
- Junior Time Scale (JTS)
The Cadre Controlling Authority is the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is designated as the "Commission" for recruitment-related purposes.
Authorised Strength and Duty Posts
Schedule-I: Grade-wise Breakdown
Rule 4 read with Schedule-I specifies the designations, pay levels, and sanctioned strength of all duty posts within the Service. The complete breakdown is as follows:
| Grade | Pay Level | Key Designations | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) | Level-15 (Rs. 1,82,200 – 2,24,100) | Director General of Corporate Affairs | 01 |
| Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) | Level-14 (Rs. 1,44,200 – 2,18,200) | Regional Director; Director of Inspection and Investigation; Director (Legal and Prosecution); Director (Public Grievances) | 14 |
| Junior Administrative Grade (Non-Functional Selection Grade) | Level-13 (Rs. 1,23,100 – 2,15,900) | Registrar of Companies; Official Liquidator; Joint Director; Registrar of Companies-cum-Official Liquidator | 81** |
| Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) | Level-12 (Rs. 78,800 – 2,09,200) | — | — |
| Senior Time Scale (STS) | Level-11 (Rs. 67,700 – 2,08,700) | Registrar of Companies; Official Liquidator; Deputy Registrar of Companies; Deputy Official Liquidator; Deputy Director; Registrar of Companies-cum-Official Liquidator | 98 |
| Junior Time Scale (JTS) | Level-10 (Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500) | Registrar of Companies; Official Liquidator; Registrar of Companies-cum-Official Liquidator; Assistant Registrar of Companies; Assistant Official Liquidator; Assistant Director | 153 |
| Reserve Posts | — | Deputation Reserve (5%), Training Reserve (1.5%), Leave Reserve (1.5%) of Senior Duty Posts | 15 |
| Total | 362 |
Note: The Junior Administrative Grade (Non-Functional Selection Grade) is non-functional in nature. The maximum number of posts in this grade shall not exceed thirty per cent of the total senior duty posts (i.e., all posts at the level of Senior Time Scale and above), and shall also be limited to the number of sanctioned posts in the Junior Administrative Grade.
The Government retains the power, by notification in the Official Gazette, to make additions, alterations, substitutions, or modifications to the number of duty posts, grades, designations, and pay levels in Schedule-I. Any inclusion or exclusion of a duty post from the Service shall be made in consultation with the Commission.
Membership of the Service
Rule 5 defines who shall constitute members of the Indian Corporate Law Service:
- Existing officers holding duty posts on a regular basis, or holding a lien on such posts as on the date of commencement of these Rules, shall be deemed to have been appointed to the respective duty posts.
- Persons subsequently appointed to duty posts under Rule 6 shall also be members of the Service from the date of their appointment.
Importantly, the regular service rendered by existing officers in their respective grades prior to the commencement of these Rules shall be counted as qualifying service for purposes of seniority, confirmation, promotion, Non-Functional Selection Grade, and Non-Functional Upgradation.