In a move aimed at reforming colonial bureaucratic practices, the Kerala government has issued an order to redesignate the existing posts of ‘Dafedars’ in the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) as office attendants. The notice issued on 31 May, 2025 details the procedure of redesignation of the posts as per the orders of the Governor.
Dafedar is a phrase that dates back to the British Raj, where it referred to a cavalry sergeant in the colonial military. In post-Independence India, the civil administration continued to use the title for senior attendants, often stationed outside the chambers of the district collectors and other high-ranking officials. The title and the accompanying uniform, typically white, with a hat, have come to symbolise colonial power, privilege and remnants of the Raj.
According to the notice, appointments to the posts of Dafedar will be made through promotion from the existing office attendants in the Kerala Public Service Commission. Out of the 21 Dafedar posts in the Kerala Public Service Commission, 8 posts have been appointed through promotion from the post of Office Attendant, and the remaining 13 posts have been filled on a temporary basis. The pay scale of the post will remain the same as before which was Rs.17000-37500.
The Secretary of the Kerala Public Service Commission had clarified in the said recommendation that the employees' have expressed their favorable opinion for converting the post of Dafedar into the post of office attendant and therefore, the existing posts can be converted by preserving the current salary of those currently serving in the post of Dafedar. It has also been ensured that there will be no additional financial liability for the government in this regard.
However, this order will only be implemented within the KPSC now and the prominent Dafedars will continue to be stationed outside district collector offices in their uniforms.