Annual Performance Appraisal Report
Also called: APAR · Topic: Civil Services: Role, Accountability and Reforms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) is the yearly report card of a government officer. It records the officer's work, conduct and integrity. For All India Services officers it replaced the old secret "confidential report" under the AIS (PAR) Rules 2007. The officer now writes a self-appraisal, and grades are given as numbers. The APAR matters because promotions and empanelment depend on it.
Example
In Dev Dutt (2008), the Supreme Court ruled that every entry in an officer's report must be shared with the officer. The officer can then object to an unfair or adverse remark before it harms their career.
Don't confuse with
- 360-degree appraisal: the APAR is a formal, shared yearly report written mainly by superiors. 360-degree feedback collects views from seniors, peers and juniors, and is criticised as opaque.
Related concepts
- 360-degree appraisal
- Results Framework Document
- Premature retirement
- Sanction for prosecution of public servants
- Red tapism