Centralised Cadres for Revenue and Expenditure Audits

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is set to create two centralized cadres to enhance the audit quality of central government finances.

Objective

• Deepen professional expertise in the audit of government finances.
• Bolster the audit quality of central government finances.

New Cadres

• Central Revenue Audit Cadre
• Central Expenditure Audit Cadre

The establishment of these cadres has received in-principle approval from the supreme audit institution.

Current Audit Structure

• Audits managed by nine director general (audit) offices, principal director (audit), and exclusive offices.
• Cadre control is dispersed across multiple state offices.

Benefits of Centralisation

• Consolidation of multiple fragmented cadres into two specialized streams.
• Over 4,000 audit professionals will be involved at senior and assistant audit officer levels.

Upcoming Report on Multi-modal Transport and Logistics

The CAG plans to submit a report on multi-modal transport and logistics initiatives during the monsoon session of Parliament in 2026.

Report Details

• Developed in consultation with the Indian Institute of Management (Mumbai).
• Focus on: 
  1. Trimming logistic costs.
  2. Promoting ease of doing business.
  3. Ensuring seamless cargo transportation.
  4. Integrating the digital ecosystem.

Railway Audit Wing Focus

• First mile and last mile connectivity with logistics hubs in 2025-26.

Report Focus Areas

• National Rail Plan 2021–2030
• Regulatory and legal frameworks.
• Logistics operations and digitization.
• Global best practices in logistics.

Integrated Audit Group

• Constituted to carry out coordinated work across key infrastructure verticals like railways, infrastructure, ports, shipping, and waterways.